 |
US Presswire photo Ryan Zimmerman launched two more home runs to continue his torrid streak. |
Hitting highlight: What more can you say about Zimmerman? Well, we'll try to come up with more, because it feels like we highlight the guy every single day. He deserves it, though, with the tear he's on at the plate. With two more homers (and another single, to boot) today, he raised his season average to .273. In the month of July, Zimmerman is now hitting .418 with nine homers, 19 RBI and a .910 slugging percentage. Seriously, who slugs .910 over a three-week span?
Pitching highlight: Maybe Detwiler picked up a few pointers from John Lannan last night. And perhaps Stephen Strasburg and Gio Gonzalez can pick up a few pointers from Detwiler after this highly efficient performance. Detwiler didn't mess around at all, going right after Atlanta's hitters. He went to a three-ball count only five times all afternoon, walked just one batter and forced the Braves to put the ball in play. That was a highly effective strategy, especially once the Nationals had a comfortable lead. Detwiler now sports a 3.01 ERA in 14 starts this season. Yes, the Nats' No. 5 starter has a 3.01 ERA. That's not bad.
Key stat: On June 24, the Nationals as a team were hitting .238 with a .389 slugging percentage. In 24 games since then, they're hitting a collective .309 with a .498 slugging percentage.
Up next: Their homestand wrapped up, the Nats now hit the road for a seven-game trip through New York and Milwaukee. They open a three-game series against the Mets tomorrow at 7:10 p.m., with Jordan Zimmermann facing Chris Young.
109 comments:
A split with the 2nd place team, without an appearance by Gio or Jordan, and it took a 9 run comeback and Ben Sheets rising from the dead to beat us...I'll take that
Guess the season isn't quite over...
That was gutsy, pure and simple. What they did after the first two losses showed maturity, and will serve them well in September. Do they have the mental makeup to carry themselves through to October? After this series, the prelim answer is yes.
Glad to see the Stammenator close it out. I love this team - so many good things to root for.
I would have been really disappointed if we had not hit Jurrjens. Even Livo crushes him. (He probably texted Zimm JJ's pitch sequences. )
I believe that the way we came out with a split says a lot more about this team than if we had swept.
Marathon, not a sprint, seems like they had the best 25 (26 on Saturday).
Ooh - Desi down on DL!?! Just heard on presser.
Need another middle infielder now...
What is up with the obliques? Now Desi's gone!
Oh,no! Looks like Desi is going on to the DL with a tear.
So Davey says Desi is out for a while.
OK, Fire the Yoga coach!
Oh... by the way. This team sure needs some bats. If they could only hit.
I count three cokes...
@Section 3, My PFB Hitterish Sofa said...
Andrew, thanks for that and the info. Great program.
July 22, 2012 4:27 PM
I spent 7 hours a day, 5 lunches, and a Nats game with Chad Cordero. He's 20 years younger than me and I learned a lot from him.
As he said in an interview with Johnny Holiday, he always tried to treat the fans like they treated him. It was a friendship. I think and hope some of that rubbed off on Ross Detwiler.
I taped a few of Chad's interviews. Watch this one. Its unedited from what has already aired on WUSA Channel 9 but wanted the people who aren't in town to see this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXKq-wQtYCY
Frank Wren had to dig deep to get Jannish. That tells me there is not much in the market place.
I know nobody over-reacts on this blog, but I say Eck should be the first hitting coach elected to the Hall of Fame....to score all these runs with bums like Zimmerman, Espi, Desmond, Morse, Berni...forget the 5 year wait and just put him in there
Jack, Espi at short and Lombo at 2nd. This should hopefully bring up Corey Brown and DeRosa can give Lombo some days off.
Great Question to Davey from Boswell: "If they took an MRI of every player, everyday to find an injury, would you ever be able to field a team?"
Davey's answer:"Probably Not"
Andrew.... it's short that is scary. Lombo cannot handle short for more than a couple of innings without getting exposed.
Dan Kolko @masnKolko
Davey on possibility of Desmond landing on DL: "I don't wanna go there." #Nats will continue to take him day-by-day.
Michael LaGroux @NatsHR2Win
@masnKolko He's been putting his HR swing on the ball and coming up 50 feet short. Ian Desmond is a warrior. Please get him well!
11:24 AM - 22 Jul 12
_________________________________
I wrote this in the morning. Clearly Desi hurt himself yesterday. His bat speed just wasn't there yesterday.
A shame but hopefully its just 2 weeks. Everyone has to pick Desi up.
The Nationals have now won 55 games, four short of their entire win total in both 2008 and 2009.
Remarkable? I think so ....
Nice to end a roller-coaster weekend on a high note. Bullpen got whacked around, but the Braves weakened starting staff was exposed (saved the rejuvenated Ben Sheets). I suspect the Braves will accelerate their pursuit for an arm (Dempster, Greinke, or Wandy Rodriguez), unless the Nats strike first with an pre-emptive move.
Is Christian Guzman ready to walk through that door?
A"tear"? How long does that take?!?!
Carlos Rivera is the only middle infielder on the 40 man roster.
Corey Brown to spell Lombo?!? He doesn't play infield does he?
Regarding that softball question from Boz to Davey regarding "If they took an MRI of every player, everyday to find an injury...": 80% of MLB players have shoulder labrum issues, and many don't even know it.
DC Wonk, Davey said from the trainers he needs 2 weeks rest. It may be good news to finally get him fully healthy for the stretch run.
In the meantime, Espi has been stepping up and like NatsJack said Espi IS the shortstop.
Werth should be back shortly and that will help. This may also give us a few games of Corey Brown, Bernadina and Harper against RH pitching and maybe give LaRoche and Morse a day off.
It sounds like just 15 day DL for Ian and then from Davey's comments, it sounds like Ian will play as much as a he can the rest of the way.
However, Espi is a natural short stop so in the field, I think Nats do not miss a beat with Lombo at 2nd. What they will miss is Ian's presence on offense. Bernadina's timing right now is perfect, maybe he can make up offensively for Desmond.
I don't think this is as bad as losing a Votto or Giancarlo. Now we will see what Corey Brown can do.
There are those on this blog who believe that not only can Corey Brown play infield, he could walk on water to get to DC from Syracuse...
Sounds like Corey Brown is being called up. Can Mike Morse be that backup MIF.
A DC Wonk said...
Corey Brown to spell Lombo?!? He doesn't play infield does he?
July 22, 2012 4:54 PM
_____________________________
Lombo stays at 2nd base and Brown takes over in LF.
Davey said Corey Brown is the call-up. He likes the lefty bat. DeRosa becomes the backup middle infielder, Davey said.
P.S. Gio Gonzalez career ERA 3.83.
Ross Detwiler career ERA 3.77.
It's great to see this young team grow and improve.
They have to add a MI in case Espi or Lombo stub a toe or something...
Gonat... you mean Brown backs up LF, right. How do you take the shark out right now? When Werth comes back it seems like we have some serious depth
I can not walk on water, but I have been known to turn water into wine.
Ah, I didn't know DeRosa could also play 2B...Sounds like a plan
I'm still missing something:Corey Brown for who? The red hot Shark? Red hot Morse? The not red hot Harper?
The Mets will be desperate and play like wounded animals, this will be a tough series in NY.
Carlos Rivero is a third baseman and not a very good defensive one at that.
DC wonk... that is my point to. I think Brown was coming up regardless of Desmond injury
how bout Rendon.... lol
Drew, you have to shave a little org Gio's ERA because he had to pitch in that league with the ridiculous DH rule
Since he's just about ready, I imagine Chad Tracy will probably be reactivated first, with Brown as the second option. Good thing we have Lombardozzi and Espinosa up the middle, and a scorching hot Bernadina in the outfield. As long as the remaining roster stays healthy, and Desmond isn't out too long, team can survive with only DeRosa as super-utility infielder.
And seriously, Carlos Rivero is not the answer.
But I have to admit, Mike Morse at 2nd base can do no worse than Turner or Murphy do for the Mets.
Well Mr. Peric will be happy this evening.
Mets are throwing a middle relief at us on Wed... like I said they are hurting and desperate
I think you stick with Espi at ss and Lombo at 2nd until Desi is back
so mick... name one team that will roll over and not play hard.
no team will roll over, I am saying with the Mets 8 or so back, they are going to treat this series as their most important of the season
Get Some Players.... not really. Most of us said Brown's promotion depended on an injury. So that makes us right and he can't stand it when we are right.
Let me guess,
if Corey Brown does great, we will be bombarded by "I told you so" posts from his legion of fans who have never actually seen him play, but think AAA stats are the most important thing ever
and if he struggles, it's either Rizzo, Davey or Eck's fault for ruining his confidence...
so then which series will they not approach as their most important?
See, it's constantly stating the obviuous that bugs people.
Derek.... It's both.
I don't see an answer (unless I missed it -I'm actually sick in bed with fever): with Brown up, if he were to play in the outfield, who sits? (noting that Harper is the only OF not on fire right now)
Haha Jack, Got it...
is seems like it only bothers you and I do not know why... so when some one else states the obvious that most posters in here do, such as a player out will have an affect and/or force the team to make an obvious move.. you don't seem to have a problem with it.
my comments on the Mets is not only benign it is accurate and it shows how much of a dog fight the NL East is and that Nats have a huge buuls eye on their backs.
also, why are you attacking peric, you seem to attack most people in here.
Brown will be a back up and a PH
mick said...
Gonat... you mean Brown backs up LF, right. How do you take the shark out right now? When Werth comes back it seems like we have some serious depth
July 22, 2012 4:59 PM
________________________________
Bernie plays against RH pitching and the Nats can finally go all LH across the outfield with Brown.
I hope they finally get him some starts. He is also on fire.
Gonat... so are Nats only going to use Moore as a 1b, because he has played LF also?
Sorry, mick, it annoys me too, but like I suspect a lot of the other more constructive posters around here, I find it not worth putting up with the dozen or so, let's just call them often-intemperate comments from you that pointing it out seems to evoke.
With Lombo and Espinosa manning the middle of the infield, Desmond's loss won't hurt the team too much, at least in the short term.
That said, I have to believe that Lombardozzi is one player that could be packaged to bring a quality starting pitcher by the trade deadline. Now the team will be less likely to make that big-time trade.
Farid @ Idaho
For those wanting to throw Bernadina and DeRosa away for roadkill, how quickly you change your minds.
Meantime, the system's RBI leader is at it again. Jason Martinson hits two homers and knocks in five for Potomac.
I know his glove is suspect, but he's a fine run producer. He already has eight home runs for Potomac.
In his 98 games this year between Hxgerstown and Potomac, Martinson has 18 home runs and 91 RBIs!
Remember many moons ago when Mark wrote that the Nats were not talking about Tyler Moore's future with the club?
If you keep hitting for power, the team will find a place.
Eddie.... what is intemperate about my post?? How humble of you to call yourself a constructive poster
The only players on the 40 man roster to play MIF are DeRosa, Rivero (511 games SS vs 207 games 3B) and Morse. Hadn't realized DeRosa played so many games @ 2B & SS.
Only a few, mick, only a few.
I've never referred to anyone as "garbage" or "goofball" nor have I called anyone names.
I will always point out individuals that present their opinions as "absolute" and having knowledge of the game beyond the actual professionals that work in the game.
"NatsJack in Florida said...
so then which series will they not approach as their most important?
See, it's constantly stating the obviuous that bugs people.
July 22, 2012 5:12 PM"
Not me, it's the ignorance and chicken little loser's mentality at the first sign of adversity. The season's over, Zimm, ALR, Morse, & Desi are bums, Flores is a joke, etc., etc., etc., ad nauseum.
tell you what Eddie and Natsjack, you leave me alone and I will leave you alone. There is nothing offensive about a single post this afternoon and in fact your attacks on me border on bufonish and border line thuggery
When Davy said Brown would be coming up, he immediately backed off by saying something like "I probably shouldn't have said that..." and then referencing Twitter. But my thought is that he spoke his own opinion, without having checked it with Rizzo, who may have other ideas.
So maybe it's Brown and maybe not.
But, Wonk, if it is Brown, he really takes Lombo's place, as Lombo is now fully committed to 2b. So nobody sits, per se.
natsjim... and lets see pal... I'm the only one i n here who has ever posted things like that along those lines??? ummmm?
The Nats proved they are a championship team the way they came back from Friday night's debacle.
EJax, Lannen and Detwiler allowed one of the best hitting teams in baseball a lousy 4 earned runs in 21 innings, less than 2 earned runs per game. They had to play with Desi as a non-factor because of that oblique, but they did not miss a beat because Espinoza has suddenly been squaring the ball up better than he has in over a year, and the Shark is hitting better than he has, ever before. And then there is Zim on a tear, and the return of the Beast.
They rapped out 49 hits in 4 games, better than 12 per game, against a team that saw this series as a must-win. And Davey gave away the first game, after leading 9-4 going onto the 8th. The Braves are lucky they won 2. They should have lost 3 of 4.
Davey said in his presser that DeRosa will be the utility IF until Desi gets back. That's about the best they've got, unless Rizzo can work a trade before the deadline. As long as Danny and Lombo stay healthy, it probably won't matter.
Dodgers score 5 in 12th.
Still batting.
NatsJim said...
"NatsJack in Florida said...
so then which series will they not approach as their most important?
so in my post that you are commenting on above... where am I calling anyone garbage or a goofball..
In fact there were 2 posters on Friday ripping Rizzo, Davey and R Zim. I actually went out of my way to defend both Rizzo and Davey.
What is curious, is I never saw a post from you going after the poster who said Rizzo and Davey should be fired!!
just leave me alone. If not, I can monitor your insulting posts against other posters in here as well
This is not a one way street.
By far and away, it's the resilience of this team that has been so beautiful. Injuries, colossal losses, it doesn't matter.
It says alot about the class the players that Mike Rizzo has assembled have and why they will continue to be ranked as one of the top 3 teams in baseball.
But, Wonk, if it is Brown, he really takes Lombo's place, as Lombo is now fully committed to 2b. So nobody sits, per se.
Arggh. This is frustrating. I've seen that answer, and it's not an answer. Lombo started today, too.
An _outfielder_ has to sit!
So, let me try to ask the same question the third way using different words:
When Brown plays: who are the three who are playing outfield?
Wonk-
Bernie sits againist lefties
Brown sits againist righties
There is a difference between saying someone should be fired and and calling people garbage.
And I wasn't the only one to call you out on that.
Today you have refrained from the usual childish
quips of the past so I will stand corrected on that.
But more on baseball. I guess the short term is DeRosa as a 2b replacement with Lombo going to short in the absolute emergency situation.... makes me shudder.
Hi guys/gals
Another great win
Love working in the yard listening to Charlie & Dave
Looks like you guys are piling on Mick - remember that when we do well, he is on board, he just can't handle the losses.
Can DeRosa handle both SS and 2nd? Hope so
Go Nats!!
case and point Natsjack... below are two post from different posters on Friday night.... not word from either you or Eddie... I rest my case in that you are singling only me out...
NatsFanSinceStart said...
Wow. the chickens really came home to roost tonight.
1. Burnett has a sore elbow
2. Can't win a pennant with a Thirdbaseman with a severe throwing phobia
3. JayB said it best: Davey's cockey, but he's also kinda stupid.
4. Strasburg looks like a head case to me.
5. Clippard's cinderella run as an effective pitcher is over. He's always been wild high -- always. I'm just amazed it took the league 2 years to stop swinging at his junk.
6. Storen is a sissy; believes he's better than he is
7. Harper is overated as a hitter - period.
8. Rizzo: see #3
A panicked slump is already underway. Nats will lose this series. The bullpen wil continue to implode
Strasburg is burning
Nats can and should make the playoffs, but they need a younger and better manager -- and some major kahonas. This is just getting interesting.
Go Nats -- wipe that cockey smile off your faces and start playing.
Zimmerman: you suck and will continue to cost us with your Steve Sax throwing problem. he should be traded to the AL where he can dh -- his days in the field are way past over.
July 21, 2012 1:20 AM
JayB said...
That had to be the worst managing job in the history of the game. Njack...talk me down please.....What was Johnson doing....the whole park had a better feel for what needed to be done and Johnson was just too smug. He failed his team not the other way around. That was Johnson loss.
Nobody warming for Clippard who clearly had nothing.....Burnett was left too long. Changing Flores out.....what was that about.....Davey Johnson showed his weakness....he believes he is smarter than everyone......and is blind to the obvious.
Haha...Jack, if you don't leave him alone he may repost the one he had Friday night about the missing Nixon tapes and the JFK assassination...(not making that up!)
NatsJim said...
"NatsJack in Florida said...
so then which series will they not approach as their most important?
See, it's constantly stating the obviuous that bugs people.
July 22, 2012 5:12 PM"
Not me, it's the ignorance and chicken little loser's mentality at the first sign of adversity. The season's over, Zimm, ALR, Morse, & Desi are bums, Flores is a joke, etc., etc., etc., ad nauseum.
July 22, 2012 5:30 PM
_______________________________
So true!!! The in-game, Stream of conscience, negative nonsense is what gets me...
swift.... I have a good friend, much older than me, who served 25 years in NSA, he emailed me during the game on Friday and I thought it was interesting enough to share. So..get your facts right.
"It says alot about the class the players that Mike Rizzo has assembled have and why they will continue to be ranked as one of the top 3 teams in baseball."
Character matters, and this team has shown they have got what it takes, especially after dropping the first two to the Braves. Imagine how long ago the team was saddled with Nyjer Morgan and Felipe Lopez. The guys they have now will not quit.
They are a championship team. The only way they lose is if they beat themselves, or have a truly catastrophic run of additional injuries. They will do fine without SS in September. How many other teams could lose their best pitcher and not skip a beat? The Nats will do it.
So true!!! The in-game, Stream of conscience, negative nonsense is what gets me...
what is negative about it and what is nonsense as opposed too the nonsense you post?
I notice there is no response to my post 5:48 which says it all.
mick said...
swami... that is good advice, i would just let Lannan go the 9, we wont score a run period the rest of the series
July 21, 2012 8:20 PM
______________________________
It's actually hard to pick the best example of your "negative nonsense" but this was one from yesterday
So Natsjack, Eddie and Swift.... what do you think of Ray Knight, Bobby C and Johnny Holiday calling this series verse Braves the most important in Nats history since 2005???
according to Natsjack
so then which series will they not approach as their most important?
Swift Eagle said... read my post 5:48 my friend
The TV guys said it was the most important series since 2005, which mostly means they have had very few important games since then...
YOU, Mick, said "The season is over if they lose"
big difference...
Swift Eagle said...
mick said...
swami... that is good advice, i would just let Lannan go the 9, we wont score a run period the rest of the series
July 21, 2012 8:20 PM
You just proved my point, read the post!! I was agreeing with swami who posted that Lananan should go the full game.
So instead of going after the guy who posted his opinion, you go after me for agreeing with it..
this is a true Twilght Zone moment, lol
mick.... I don't know what you mean but your 6:03 post makes my point.
And, the "we won't score a run period the rest of the series" part???
Think you were off by 14 runs on that one
Swift Eagle said...
The TV guys said it was the most important series since 2005, which mostly means they have had very few important games since then...
YOU, Mick, said "The season is over if they lose"
big difference...
Now you are trying to change the subject and grasping for straws.
What does that post have to do with what I said about the Mets series???
mick said...
So Natsjack, Eddie and Swift.... what do you think of Ray Knight, Bobby C and Johnny Holiday calling this series verse Braves the most important in Nats history since 2005???
according to Natsjack
so then which series will they not approach as their most important?
July 22, 2012 6:03 PM
_________________________
Maybe you meant "Mets" but you typed "Braves"
And so the Nats didn't score any runs after your comment last nite? I'm sorry but those are exactly the kind of nonsensical comments we all are talking about. (your 6:07 post)
Mick - just tone down the negativity. You have a tendency to go off the deep end and post whatever's on your mind when things go bad during a game. Look back at Friday's game thread and the post game. That was you at your absolute worst.
NatsJack in Florida said...
mick.... I don't know what you mean but your 6:03 post makes my point.
July 22, 2012 6:08 PM
You don't know what I mean?? Are you serious? I posted two posters post from Friday who by your standards made very over the top negative comments that you did not go after like you do me, HELLO.
Also, I stated that for the Mets it was the most important series of their season because they are 8-9 game s back. I stand by it and iit is correct..
Ray, Johnny and Bobby C call the Braves series the most important of the franchises history... I do not hear you saying they are stating the obvious..
ehay2k said...
Mick - just tone down the negativity. You have a tendency to go off the deep end and post whatever's on your mind when things go bad during a game. Look back at Friday's game thread and the post game. That was you at your absolute wors
I agree and I toned it down today until certain thugs in here started to get ridiculous, also, and to my point, where was Natsjack's wrath when Nstsfansincethe start posted on Friday? see my point
Also, look at what Natsjack is going after me on. How the hell is saying this is the Mets most important series of the season NEGATIVE!!!
Look I am done arguing with them, I will begin to copy and post and comment on some of their posts that I one can deem as offensive or obvious the way they do to me. It will be fun.
Those other posters are as annoying as you are
The Mets series is no more or less important than the one last week
They're stating the obvious....
How's that?
Derek... I don't know about you but I'm starting to hear Dimitri Young's pop fly circus music.
Swift... I said for the Mets it is their most important series verse us because they are 8 back in loss column.
Haha Jack..those were the days. He yelled "YOURS" as soon as the ball left the bat! Funny
Mick, I agree that you post about the importance of the next series was not negative. However, perhaps you will agree that it falls in line with your tendency put a lot of emphasis on the importance of win/losses over the short haul? It just has the appearance, and I think perhaps unfairly so based on prior comments from you, of another effort to stir the pot.
I do appreciate the more thoughtful posts from you, especially today. I just hope it's a trend! :-)
I also think that many of your posts are entertaining so I for one do not want you to stop posting entirely. But if you cut down post-loss the "sun won't shine anymore" posts (which I find odd coming from you since Corona's are all about finding your own sunny beach), people will pay a lot more attention to the better posts you do contribute, of which there are actually quite a few.
Cheers!
You see what poking gets you? I hope you've learned a lesson here, young man!
Don't know if this has been stated before (and I don't think it will be a popular statement if it hasn't been said before):
I think it is entirely possible that the Nats sell high on the shark to get pitching. I am not sure if he is finally getting it or is just on a tear.
What do you smarter Insiders think?
Anybody notice the new post?
Sadly, yes, DC Wonk, I just read it. Came here to post about my fun time at the game and the awesome win and then I had to go and read that post first. Dang. No, make that double dang. Well, they'll just have to soldier on, as they've been doing all season. Feel better, Desi. Go, NATS!!
We need to step away from mick, guy. Seriously. Move along.
PS ANdrew! Thanks for the link to the Chief video!
Post a Comment