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File photo by Mark Zuckerman / NATS INSIDER
Gio Gonzalez faces the Rockies this afternoon at Nationals Park.
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The Rockies will look for two straight and a series win as manager Jim Tracy sends lefty Jeff Francis to the mound. Francis is 2-1 this season with a 5.16 ERA, but has earned the win in each of his last two outings. He has allowed two runs or less in four consecutive starts.
COLORADO ROCKIES at WASHINGTON NATIONALS
Where: Nationals Park
Gametime: 4:05 p.m. EDT
TV: MASN, MLB.tv
Radio: WJFK (106.7 FM), WFED (1500 AM), XM 185
Weather: Mostly clear, 103 degrees, Wind 10 mph LF to RF
NATIONALS (48-33)
2B Danny Espinosa
CF Bryce Harper
3B Ryan Zimmerman
RF Michael Morse
1B Adam LaRoche
SS Ian Desmond
LF Tyler Moore
C Jesus Flores
LHP Gio Gonzalez
ROCKIES (32-51)
CF Dexter Fowler
2B Marco Scutaro
LF Carlos Gonzalez
1B Michael Cuddyer
RF Tyler Colvin
3B Jordan Pacheco
C Wilin Rosario
SS Jonathan Herrera
LHP Jeff Francis
UMPIRES
HP Mike Dimuro
1B Jim Reynolds
2B James Hoye
3B Jim Joyce
2:00 p.m. -- At Nationals Park after Davey Johnson spoke to the media and the heat is as advertised. Johnson said he will probably work the pitchers a little less than usual to cater to the weather, but that overall the temperature doesn't mind him. He is worried about the pitchers more than anyone.
4:17 p.m. -- Gio Gonzalez let up a leadoff single to Dexter Fowler, but gets out of the first frame without any real action. 19 pitches, 12 of them strikes.
4:27 p.m. -- Nationals get a man on base in the first on a walk to Ryan Zimmerman. Morse draws three straight balls but then grounds out on a full count. Francis' fastest pitch was 87 and threw only eight strikes on 19 pitches. At 101 degrees it isn't the best day to not have your command.
4:38 p.m. -- Gio's second inning started out interesting with a quick walk to Tyler Colvin on four fastballs. He recovered with a Pacheco popout and a strikeout of Wilin Rosario on a 2-2 buckling curveball. The third out was a beautiful diving catch by Adam LaRoche down the first baseline. Davey remarked before the game how his defense reminded him of Keith Hernandez, good timing.
4:44 p.m. -- Ian Desmond takes Francis' fastest pitch of the day so far, a 90 mph sinker, opposite field for his 16th home run of the year. 1-0 Nats.
4:56 p.m. -- Gio Gonzalez allows another walk in the third inning, but leaves the runner on base after striking out Carlos Gonzalez on a 2-2 breaking ball. 20 pitches to get out of the inning leaves the Nats' lefty with 57 (31 strikes) after three. Davey said before the game the leash on his pitchers may be shorter due to the heat so we could see an early call to the bullpen at some point.
5:11 p.m. -- The Rockies get on the board to tie the game at 1-1 after a leadoff double by Michael Cuddyer and a sac fly to right by Jordan Pacheco. Morse caught the ball a few steps in of where he was standing, but just barely missed the throw at home on a close call. Ryan Zimmerman ended the top of the fourth with a diving stop to his left and a quick throw to beat Rosario. Gio threw 12 pitches that inning and is now at 69 (39 strikes) after four.
5:37 p.m. -- Sorry for the delay on updates, but the team announced that Ian Desmond will not participate in Tuesday's All-Star game due to soreness in his oblique. For more on the story go here: Ian Desmond out of ASG
5:52 p.m. -- New pitcher for the Rockies in Josh Roenicke. Francis leaves after 77 pitches (49 strikes) with 1 ER, 6 H, 5 SO, and 1 BB.
5:56 p.m. -- Ryan Zimmerman hits a hard line drive to left-center to score Danny Espinosa from third. Bryce Harper moves to third with zero outs. Another earned run for Francis.
5:59 p.m. -- Harper scores on an errant throw by catcher Wilin Rosario to second. Zimmerman headed for second on a wild pitch and Rosario missed the bag with the throw. Harper made the heads up play to head home. 3-1 Nats with one out (Morse GO) in the 6th.
6:11 p.m. -- The Nats added another run on an bad pickoff attempt by Roenicke to get Ian Desmond at first. Zimmerman scored from home and Desmond advanced to second. The inning ended on a Tyler Moore line out. Ryan Mattheus in to replace Gio Gonzalez who leaves with 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 BB, and 6 SO. He threw 102 pitches (60 strikes) and lowered his season ERA from 3.01 to 2.92 after today. 4-1 Nats heading into the 7th.
6:35 p.m. -- Nothing to write home about in the 7th inning. Ryan Mattheus struck out the side and then Bryce Harper grounded into a double play to send us to the 8th. Still 4-1 Washington with Sean Burnett now in for Mattheus.
6:55 p.m. -- Tyler Clippard enters in the ninth for a save attempt. 4-1 Nationals.
7:09 -- Clippard closes it out for his 14th save on the year, Nats win 4-1. Another win for the Nationals who now sit at 49-33. One more game before the All-Star break.
78 comments:
This is cute.
http://howdoibaseball.wordpress.com/2012/07/02/hats-and-why-charles-darwin-would-care-about-them/
Thanks, Chase.
Go, GIO!! Go, NATS!! Stay safe and cool, everyone.
Re-post for the good of all:
If anyone at the game is really on fire, try the "cooling stations" around the park. My girlfriend and I sneaked into an empty cooling station at the end of the game Thursday night while we waited for the crowd to filter out. It was nice and cool, and they even have CCTV to watch the game while you're cooling off. The one we found was right outside the escalator on the second level near Section 201.
This was originally scheduled for Pups in the Park day, wasn't it? Boy, I hope nobody does that.
Go GIO!! Stay Hydrated people! And I concur with NatsNutty..the cooling stations are worth it!
GYFNG!!!!
Sofa, The Nats were putting stuff out the last 2 days not to bring the dogs and actually said that if you want to bring a human instead of a dog for the dog ticket, they would honor it. All funds are still going to the Humane Society.
LOL Davey. NatsJack had it right (previous thread).
Johnson will be watching the [All Star} game from afar. He plans to go down south for the break.
“I’m going to Florida, I’m going where it’s hotter,” he said. “I’ve got a couple of golf games set up.”
I would love to see Gio's half of the innings not be long and labored today. I WOULD like to see the Nats hitters be tough outs,work counst, foul off, etc. The whole offense is better when they do that consistently. Last night they were back to making outs at the speed of light.
Greinke got ejected in the 1st for spiking a ball. LIVO on in relief.
LOLOLOLOL ALR, looking at the ball. Didn't believe he really got that one!!!
Hmmmmmm, a little temper from Greinke. [revising opinion fast.]
Desiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I have never heard a diagnosis for Greinke, but as a teacher, he has definite signs of Aspberger's. Great guy, great pitcher, but needs just the right situation to thrive. Maybe the mid-west. Is a good idea. DESI!!!!!!!
Okay.. signing off.. I am actually going to someone's house who does not have Cable. UGH.. I hope my cell phone gets service.
NatsJack- apparently it is for Stras. and Gio. Wish our hitters did that to their pitcher every st bat.
The Nats hitters can murder pitches from cy young winners and pitchers with perfect games . Not so much with guys wearing a CR jersey.
Just caught on MLB.tv that Desi has some obliquee strain and Bourne will replace him on the ASG roster.
Auugghhhh!
I know - apparently he doesn't want to risk further injury for the second half. What a sacrifice!! I am so sad -- I heard Furcal is injured and Desi might have been starting!!
Desi not going to the All Star game?? Aw poo.
What, wait? Desmond is playing today.
Ian Desmond doesn't want to play, in his first All-Star game?? That seems ... counter-intuitive.
He wants to play om tje asg very badly and has been performing each and every day for the Nats. He doesn't want to risk going on the dl - wants to be there for the Nats and so is making the sacrifice by giving up the asg for his team. Admirable.
Desi looks good to me, what is the real deal???
we need to get some runs, Rockies are a joke, come on Nats
g dam-- Jesus, I am SICK of these DP's
I like Jesus Flores a lot, but I think Soladono needs to play a lot more
He obviously has been grinding it out in pain. A total team player. The Nats are his first priority. Sounds like the organization had something to do with the decision.
I want to know why Clip is not an All Star???
`please guys, we can not lose a series to this team, it wipes out the SF sweep if that happens
all i know is that there is a reason the Rockies are 20 under 500
When a Cardinal had to drop out, he was replaced by another Cardinal. And I also want to know why clip is not an all-star. Or how about Adam La Roche? I really don't like the way the whole thing is done. The fans from the huge markets vote in their popular guys, then it's the players, then fans again, then manager, then guys have to drop out. Sounds like a great big mess.
Rally killer Flores. Really dragging. Worthless as of late. Solano needs to play more.
swami... you nailed it and that is unfortunate
sec 135... i just think Flores needs rest, Davey has 2 solid catchers if he uses them right
Zim and Desi, awesome play!!
I mean Espi
now lets get 2-3 runs now!!!!
NatsNut, cut him a break, Mick has to type on two keyboards at the same time. It ain't easy.
I'm sorry, but Bo Porter is not a very heads-up 3rd base coach.
Come on, middle of the order. This is your job. The table is set.
But I'm a little surprised Espinosa didn't get a better read on that blooper by Harper. I thought he could score on that, off the bat, but then I wasn't watching it from underneath. And there's still nobody out. Saul Good.
Bo Porter is an excellent third-base coach.
BTW, anybody heard the attendance yet?
Zimmmmmmm~! Line-drive base hit to center scores Danny easily, Harper to third (tho the sniper just missed him, UH-gain, rounding second--this kid runs right out of his shoes, I love it). Which is why Danny could hold at third on Harper's hit.
Keep it coming, boys.
Harper-Zimm double-steal? Maybe not, Harper didn't break until the throw went into center. Still, the Nats steal a run on Zimmerman, of all people, getting aggressive on a wild pitch, Harper coming in when the bad throw went into short center.
3-1 Nats. Morse grounds out to short for the first out.
like I said, let's get 2-3 runs, way to go boys!! Rockies are 20 under 500 for a reason and we saw it
let's win this
Gio in line for 12th win and sharing NL lead for wins.
I guess I'll finish out the inning, I seem to be bringing them luck.
And I do mean luck. After LaRoche walked and Desmond forced him at second, with Zimm at third, Desmond took a couple of fake starts to steal second, which got his BIL's attention enough to draw a throw. Which throw crossed from shadow to sun on the way to first baseman Michael Cuddyer, who didn't look like he saw it well at all, and it got past for an E-1, and an unearned run. Tyler Moore then smoked a line drive that didn't quite get past Jordan Pacheco at third--nice grab to end the inning, and that streak of good luck.
4-1, Nats through six.
what do you all think of HRod?? I am thinking he may have his calling middle relief, does anyone want to see him close?
He's still young. He might get it together in a year or two, and be a total beast for years. Or not. Or he could, but get hurt. But he's not Daniel Cabrera.
Yet.
on a side note, I think if Davey wants Strasburg to be his first starter after ASB, that makes more sense since you want to put your best foot forward in sealing the deal asap.
another error and another man on board for Nats. Flores at first with Nelson's error at third.
Just an academic observation on that Herrera strikeout, since it's quiet anyway. On a 2-2 count, he swung through a curve ball that was first ruled a foul tip for strike three by Mike Dimuro. Herrera said it hit the ground before it was caught, and the third base ump agreed, so no K there.
BUT!! in the third-base side dugout camera view, which definitely confirmed the ball hit, it also showed that it never got near his bat, and should have been a dropped third strike ("uncaught," technically), and he should have been out on a tag or throw to first.
But they never call that, since he'd have no chance to run after the appeal to first.
*the ball hit THE GROUND.
FS, I'm not sure Strasburg *is* their best foot to put forward. Yeah, I know, heresy.
I just noticed Harper is not wearing the paint today. And his cheek still looks pretty sore from that bat-wall thing.
Or has he just wiped it mostly off, and I'm seeing residue?
whether bat touched the ball or not should be clear to home plate umpire based on sound?
anyways how has righty espi been doing lately? any ideas?
SOFA you are the best! ! Keep the play by play
Most of the time, yes, but on a breaking ball that hits the dirt, the inherent change of direction (it was a pretty good curve ball) and the sound of it hitting the ground and then the mitt, might confuse him.
And I was out for most of the game, but Espinosa's last AB, right-handed, was pretty bad. Tried to bunt a pitch at his ankles, and whiffed on a curve away, fooled badly for someone with 2 strikes. Not a quick, short bat, there, just a quick, short at-bat.
Perfect feed on that double-play try. Too fast to double up Scutaro, but a nice try.
And the Rockies get a break, maybe. Scutaro should have been called out on a steal attempt of second, bad call, but to be fair, it was sorta close.
Still a bad call.
And it's hot out there, which is where 2nd base umpire James Hoye has been standing for several hours. In the sun.
And there's no harm done, really, as Burnett gets the ground ball and the K, and we go to baja ocho, still 4-1 Nats.
[blushing] Thanks, Michele! Chase, you hit 'em high and I'll hit 'em low.
28,032 paid, to answer my own question.
... a really quiet 28,032. Clippard in to finish it, but pretty much everybody except the Rockies looks like they just want this to be over. And I'm not so sure about some of them.
There's one leather-lunged guy who must be sitting up near the booth, yelling at the Rockies' hitter. At least I HOPE he's near the booth, cuz I can hear everything he's yelling, over the TV. Man, that gets old fast. Not much other noise there, for a fairly close 9th inning.
Had to put it on mute, some guy screaming... I wish they would shut him up.
With one out, a ding and a seeing-eye ground ball brings pinch-hitter Jason Giambi up as the tying run.
**DINK. a dink into center field.
Called srike 3 on Giambi.
Juuuuuuuuuuust a little outside. Nats get a call.
Now the crowd is kinda sorta getting into it, clapping for Clippard ("Clapping for Clippard" -- maybe a foundation?) on the 1-2 pitch...
Whew!!!!!! Great job, everybody!!!
Wow, another called strike 3 "on the black."
Well, on the Blue. Thank you sir.
Still, it's 105 degrees out, 3 hours plus in, and you're the tying run. #TooCloseToTake.
Michele?
Wooooooooooooo
Hooooooooooooo
TM Michele. Used with permission. All rights reserved. Void where prohibited. Talk to your doctor if you experience lassitude, prolonged negativity, or unexpected beverages.
BRYCE is in!!!
Bryce Harper to ASG. Replaces Stanton
Sofa,
I don't think anyone on the field wanted to contest that call. I'm surprised there wasn't a bigger strike zone throughout the game.
The next time I go to Nationals Park I think I'll get tickets either on the club level or in the Red Porch so I can duck out of the heat somewhere and watch the game. There's a lot of concrete in that ballpark and it gets brutally hot.
Three, I think. Just aim for the one in the middle, Mick. ;-)
Firm Possession, My Gorsehacken Sofa said...
NatsNut, cut him a break, Mick has to type on two keyboards at the same time. It ain't easy.
July 07, 2012 5:51 PM
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