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Photo by Mark Zuckerman / NATS INSIDER Kurt Suzuki is expected to make his Nationals debut tonight against the Marlins. |
Suzuki will be catching the Nationals' most-consistent pitcher, Jordan Zimmermann, who is shooting for his 20th quality start in 22 tries and his 22nd consecutive start of at least six innings. Zimmermann's outing was pushed back a day because of right shoulder inflammation, but he threw his regular bullpen session on Thursday and said his arm felt great.
Mark Buehrle gets the nod for the Marlins, trying to duplicate his dominant start over the Nationals last month in Miami.
Check back for updates...
MIAMI MARLINS at WASHINGTON NATIONALS
Where: Nationals Park
Gametime: 7:05 p.m. EDT
TV: MASN2, MLB.tv
Radio: WJFK (106.7 FM), WFED (1500 AM), XM 183
Weather: Partly cloudy, 89 degrees, Wind 12 mph RF to LF
NATIONALS (63-43)
SS Danny Espinosa
RF Bryce Harper
3B Ryan Zimmerman
LF Michael Morse
1B Adam LaRoche
CF Jayson Werth
C Kurt Suzuki
2B Steve Lombardozzi
RHP Jordan Zimmermann
MARLINS (49-58)
LF Bryan Petersen
RF Scott Cousins
SS Jose Reyes
1B Carlos Lee
3B Greg Dobbs
2B Donovan Solano
CF Gorkys Hernandez
C John Buck
LHP Mark Buehrle
UMPIRES
HP Mike Muchlinski
1B Fieldin Culbreth (cc)
2B Lance Barksdale
3B Adrian Johnson
7:06 p.m. -- We're underway as Kurt Suzuki calls for a first-pitch fastball from Jordan Zimmermann, and the right-hander responds by pumping it for a strike. Brilliant game-calling there from the new catcher! I mean, seriously, how many other catchers would call for a first-pitch fastball??? OK, I'm joking, of course. The Nats do believe Suzuki will have a positive impact on the Nats' pitching staff, and I'm looking forward to watching him get to know these guys and start to learn their tendencies.
7:10 p.m. -- That's certainly a good way for Suzuki's first inning behind the plate to go. Zimmermann retired the side on 10 pitches (seven strikes). And big props to Steve Lombardozzi for a nifty, backhand stab of Jose Reyes' grounder up the middle and then a strong throw to first to get the speedy Reyes. Tough play, and Lombo played it brilliantly.
7:16 p.m. -- And Buehrle one-ups Zimmermann by needing only eight pitches to get through the bottom of the first. Danny Espinosa struck out for the fourth straight at-bat, giving him an NL-high 125 for the season. Bryce Harper grounded out to first. And Ryan Zimmerman absolutely smoked a line drive ... unfortunately right at Greg Dobbs at third base.
7:28 p.m. -- Just when it looked like the Nats were going to get out of the top of the second on a sweet, 4-6-3 double play, it all fell apart. Espinosa's throw sailed way over Adam LaRoche's head and into the Nats dugout. That allowed one run to score. Then Harper got a bit of a bad break on John Buck's double to deep right field. That brought another run home, and now the Marlins lead 2-0.
7:36 p.m. -- Adam LaRoche, ladies and gentlemen. Third homer in three days. His 22nd of the season. And remarkably, that was his eighth homer off a left-hander this season. In his career, LaRoche owns a .749 OPS against lefties. This season, that number has skyrocketed to .908. Staggering. The Nats now trail 2-1 after two.
7:45 p.m. -- And the Marlins get the run right back in the top of the third after Reyes doubles to left-center and scores on Lee's bad-hop single past Lombardozzi. So, who predicted this Miami lineup that boasts five guys with sub-.200 batting averages would score three runs in the first three innings off Zimmermann? Not me. It's 3-1 now.
7:59 p.m. -- And the Nats strike right back to plate two runs and tie the game yet again in the bottom of the third. Of course it was the big boys in the heart of the lineup that produced: Zimmerman and Morse each stroked RBI singles. Babe LaRoche had a chance to really inflict some damage, but he grounded out to end the inning. What a bum, never comes through in the clutch. 3-3 now heading to the fourth of what has already been a highly entertaining ballgame.
8:16 p.m. -- It's hard not to be impressed with how sharp Jayson Werth has looked at the plate after missing nearly three months. He's gotten a hit in all three games he's played so far, and he's shown a good eye as well. Seems to have picked up right where he left off when he got hurt. Still 3-3 after four.
8:38 p.m. -- Has Zimmermann's streak of six-inning starts come to an end? It sure looks that way after he gave up two more runs in the fifth (only one of them earned after Espinosa was charged with his second error of the night, though you could argue LaRoche should've caught the high throw). Regardless, it's now 5-3 Marlins and Zimmermann's at 96 pitches through five innings, with Tom Gorzelanny warming in the pen.
8:41 p.m. -- The streak is officially over. Gorzelanny enters for the sixth. Zimmermann's final line: 5 IP, 7 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 3 K, 96 pitches. He had been the only starter in baseball to go at least six innings in all 21 of his starts this season. For those wondering about his shoulder, his velocity certainly appeared to be fine tonight, with his fastball regularly hitting 94-95 mph. Not that velocity is the only sign of arm trouble, but it's usually the first.
9:03 p.m. -- Adam LaRoche. Is there anything the man can't do? Second homer of the night, fourth in three days. Unreal. It's now 5-4 Marlins as we move to the seventh.
9:20 p.m. -- Another error by the Nats middle infield (their third of the night) leads to another run in the seventh. This time, Lombardozzi booted a grounder, putting runners on the corners with one out. Donovan Solano (Jhonatan's brother) then dropped a perfect safety squeeze bunt to put the Marlins up 6-4 at the seventh-inning stretch. Really sloppy game from the Nationals tonight.
9:28 p.m. -- Heath Bell -- who is looking really big tonight, like Todd Coffey big -- just made the bottom of the seventh look much easier than it should've been. Retired the side, striking out both Espinosa and Zimmerman. The Nats are down to their final six outs, still trailing 6-4.
9:59 p.m. -- And the Nats come storming back in the bottom of the eighth. With two on and two out, Suzuki had a chance to be the hero but he took three healthy cuts and missed on all three. No worries, because Lombardozzi delivered a base hit to center to score LaRoche (who I'm not entirely convinced touched home plate) and then Tyler Moore delivered a pinch-hit, opposite-field single to score Werth and tie this game at 6. And then, Espinosa -- yes, Espinosa -- delivered the biggest hit of them all: a three-run bomb to left off lefty Mike Dunn. This ballpark just went bananas and gave Danny a curtain call. And then the place went bananas again as Harper nearly reached the third deck down the right-field line. It's 10-6 as the Nats score six times in the bottom of the eight, and Tyler Clippard (who had been warming in the pen for a save opportunity) may not be needed anymore.
10:03 p.m. -- Nope, it'll be Clippard even with a four-run lead.
10:14 p.m. -- Ballgame. Clippard gives up a run in the ninth, but hangs on as the Nats win a thriller, 10-7, scoring six runs with two outs in the bottom of the eighth. And since the Braves lost to Houston, they now lead the NL East by three games.
216 comments:
«Oldest ‹Older 1 – 200 of 216 Newer› Newest»We really need to win the next 6. Weak teams. I know the cliche says you can't win them all. But apparently nobody told the Reds or more importantly the Braves. Hi dw from 21771
We need to start hammering some of these non-contending teams. It would be a good sign to get these last two games against the Marlins. I don't know if I would have started a new catcher on a JZim start...he's been on such a streak I would have gone with Flo.
GO NATS!!!!
King Felix just KO'd the Yankees 1-0 at Yankee Stadium.
Seattle has no offense. Luckily, they don't need any with King Felix two-hitting the Yanks...
OK, looking forward to our new star tonight. GO NATS!
To the guys next to me in 207 row d last night. Thank you. Most fun I've had at a game in a while. Go nats
Off to my 4th game in 6days. Looking forward to watching Suzuki make his Nats debut.
Doubt if Davey will go with an all right handed outfield but he could now. Moore, Werth, Morse would give us 3 big boppers.
Go Nats!
Hope Espinosa can set the tone early and get out of his latest funk. Looking forward to Capt. Kurt's debut.
4 guys in tonight's Nats lineup with Z in their last name sets Nats record.
More praise for Suzuki:
http://www.sfgate.com/athletics/article/Trade-shocks-Kurt-Suzuki-A-s-teammates-3761912.php
NatsLady, I would trade for King Felix for the chance at 3 World Series rings. I would do a Greinke type of deal: Detwiler, Espinosa, Storen, and an outfielder and another top 10 prospect.
Seattle wants to get out from under $19.5 million next year.
Bill Ladson with a scathing tweet about Flores play calling. Backs up what I have said after Flores took over that certain pitchers didnt want him and Davey said he didn't do set battery mates.
Still believe Flores is a very capable backup. The mentoring that Ramos got under Pudge is worth its weight in gold.
Ghost, after the Gio deal, nothing would surprise me. This winter will be fun.
Some surprising tweets from @washingnats
"There were people in the #Nats organization who felt Jesus Flores cared more about his offense than his game calling."
"The #Nats were not happy with the way Jesus Flores called a game behind the plate. He often went against the game plan."
NatsLady, I'm hoping as a Waiver Wire deal.
I saw the tweets. Hello, Flores is still a member of the team, no need to throw him under the bus. (Heard similar just after Ramos' injury, but we are in a pennant race, let's pull together, folks.)
Ghost, but how would you give up Espy until Desi gets back? The others on your list, fine.
Cameron, I just posted seconds before that. One pitcher in particular laid blame on Flores. Not right to do but there is no shortage of pitchers with egos.
I hope for the best for Kurt. He may be the tonic to cure all ills. If not, let the firing begin.
Cameron, thanks for the quotes from the tweets. Much appreciated.
Have to wonder if the other players would be dishing on Flores if he had handled the news more professionally.
Suzuki has the reputation of being not just a good clubhouse guy, but a superb clubhouse guy who makes extraordinary efforts to help his teammates and be accessible to the media and the fans. Hopefully those qualities will allow him to smooth out this rocky introduction.
Geez, I can't stay away from Nats news even when I'm not able to see/hear games. Nice to be able to do a quick scan of Mark's updates. Go, Jordan! Go, new and old NATS!!
For King Felix, I'd put up with Walters or anyone peric wants at SS for another month if that's what it takes. A top 4 rotation of King Felix, Stras, Gio, and JZnn would be historic. He's a quantam leap better than Greinke.
I think Mr Flores has had a whole lot of bad luck. Rule 5 draft pick which was (stolen) from the Mets.
Next #1 catcher. Nats trade for Ramos new #1. Now Suzuki. New #1. Give the man some slack. $875000 is great, but it's got to hurt. Ask John.
Sounding like the A's fans who think they might get David Wright on a waiver deal ...
I think the Nats do well with a young guns ensemble approach versus having a hugely paid star pitcher ... or star pitchers. Let's see how these pitchers do with an excellent defensive catcher ... perhaps it will give them a late season boost. And it looks like that is how the Nats are going to try to do it. They are going to go after young, controllable pitching with as much ceiling and potential as they can get.
Flores looks like he's been beaten down by this season. Not sure if that wouldn't affect his pitch calling but it may. He definitely needs a break without all the pot stirring by the Rocket and his source[s].
NatsLady, Espi would be the PTBNL
Several times I remember Stras being annoyed with Flores, but I think that's common. Good idea to have a vet behind the plate at this Point
Let's hope Suzuki has one of those "I'm happy to be here" games tonight. Jordan can handle another new catcher but I am afraid that he might be too strong from the rest and his sinker won't sink. Not sure how I feel about the sudden spate of Flores bashing.It's certainly not necessary to justify the trade.Hope it stops, because it doesn't sounds like our organization.
NatsLady, Espi would be the PTBNL
For Felix? You're dreaming Ghost, it would have to be a very young player with the initials BH. That I believe would get that trade to actually happen. Are you willing to give up a future potential McCutchen like bat? I wouldn't.
Have to wonder if the other players would be dishing on Flores if he had handled the news more professionally.
Please to explain how he could have handled the news any more professionally than he did. After being blindsided by the press for his reaction, he basically said "I didn't know. I'm surprised. No comment beyond that." How is that not professional? He said nothing bad about anyone, be it his fellow players or the front office. Also, it appears as if Spanish-speaker James Wagner of the Post is the one who confronted him, so the conversation may well have been in Spanish and the tone of it came out different in the translation.
Agree 100% with peric @ 5:02 p.m.
Re today's game: Am I missing something, or do the line-ups look like the Nats A-team vs. a Marlins split-squad during Spring Training? Where's the rest of their team? Oh, that's right...
Not sure how I feel about the sudden spate of Flores bashing.It's certainly not necessary to justify the trade.Hope it stops, because it doesn't sounds like our organization.
No one but Ladson is doing it. And he is passing it on from his source[s]. I believe him and I believe the source[s] might feel that way. But they are not the entire Nats organization. Before I would even go near that, Bill, I would have first asked Randy Knorr what his opinion is. He is the top defacto catching expert in the organization as far as I can tell.
I should think Bill should have kept silent ... and it could be a precursor to a followup trade of Flores to an interested party. I have observed these sort of scathing criticism from Bill's sources just before trades or releases.
NatsJack, yes, on the King. Verlander is real close. I'd take Felix since I think he would excel with this team. Nobody thought they would trade Pineda and I know there were conversations with 2 teams and believe one of them was Nats.
Please to explain how he could have handled the news any more professionally than he did.
Nah, I've wasted enough of my day explaining things to you pRAA. If you disagree, fine. I don't have a problem with that. Besides, I'm headed to the game.
Let's hope Solano gets well and improves his catching skills ... and Leon shows some marked improvement from his major league exposure. Suzuki was of immense help to Derrick Norris. I expect he will be there for those two and Flores.
Peric, well said. He should know better to keep it in-house but I heard it several times. What does Davey do when a pitcher constantly demands another catcher.
The loss of Ramoose is huge. Suzuki hopefully will be a good bridge to next year.
Again, Flores is a good option as #2 catcher.
Zimm will be fine with a new catcher, he knows his own stuff and he knows the Marlins (except the call-ups). As was mentioned above,I would worry more about (a) his shoulder; (b) whether the extra rest will affect his sinker. This is when RZ or Werth or ALR or some other team leader should step in and tell the pitchers to shut up.
It's Kurt, not Kurk, Mart.
Well said Peric at 5:11
Oh - Eugene! Shhhhh! You will bring the reverse lock jinx for sure! Hope everyone in the nats clubhouse has quit throwing up.
Peric at 5:06, he will be traded. He has 2 years left and goes from 12.5 million to $19.5 next year. They won't get BH nor would they get Trout. They could get Rendon. Probably won't happen now but will happen this Winter.
MLB guys did another one of their IF Stephen Strasburg is shut down WHATEVER will the Nats do? stories. So tired of it. Then they proceeded to show a graphic that the other four rank 1st in mlb in most areas. Never mentioned Lannan, who pitched yesterday and is 2-0 in his calls ups. They are usually a little better than the four letter network, but this is getting old.
With these two pitchers, this game has 2-1 or 3-2 written all over it.
Hey, No Bonifacio!
Out for the year.
Gee. That's a shame.
Donnie Murphy and Justin Ruggiano also not available - hammy and back spasms.
swami @ 5:24,
Fair enough. Although anything I say tends to end up in a double-cross (including my golf swing), so perhaps that means the jinx is somehow reversed. Or something like that.
Speaking of golf, am I the only one (probably) who sees a bit of Fred Couple's easy, free-flowing swing and languid approach to the game in Adam LaRoche? Yes, they play different sports and there's the righty-lefty difference, but both step up to the ball/plate so nonchalantly, hit the ball almost peacefully, then proceed to watch it fly so well and so far.
Section 222 said...
Please to explain how he could have handled the news any more professionally than he did.
Nah, I've wasted enough of my day explaining things to you pRAA. If you disagree, fine. I don't have a problem with that. Besides, I'm headed to the game.
I'm not disagreeing. I'm asking. Why is everything an argument with you?
NatsJack, how many times have I written since Flores had taken over about his play calling and setup?
Gio never complained but have to wonder if Gio suggested Suzuki or was it Davey.
Getting a veteran plateminder was a top priority.
Unfortunately JFlo has been hurt in the process and Ladson was unclassy as ever.
Davey needs to play small ball tonight. When Morse led off the 4th with the double last night he had Espinosa swing away and not bunting and Espi K'd.
Have to play for add-on runs tonight.
Why is everything an argument with you?
It's not, except with you. Hmm, wonder why that is. I just express my opinions. You like to pick fights. To each his own.
I seem to remember a time when everyone was calling for Ramos to be the back up and Flo to take over. hmmmm. Short memories. I am sensing a new hard ball, hard a#$ attitude in the organization. We are hearing "performance determines playing time",( except for Danny), and "they are big boys". Public statements being made. Are these messages all for Flores or is there a general message being sent right now? Was Flores exhibit A? Produce and do it our way or you can be replaced? I don't think the Nats have played well on this home stand. 2-3 vs. terrible teams. Is this a wake up call? Step it up?
I should say play small ball if needed. Espi in leadoff and Harp in another LH matchup.
baseballswami at 5:46, those people, and there were many, slithered away. Flores was perfect behind Ramoose as a #1B or #2
I remember quite well also swami. Expect the same if Kurt disappoints. Let's see how a veteran catcher helps the team.
Eugene
Interesting comparison - I think it's true about ALR at the plate, and also in the field (tho I don't suppose that has a comparison to golf). On plays where he's fielded a ball or is getting back to 1B to receive a throw from the pitcher, he never seems rushed or anxious. Sometimes he seems to be taking it so easy I wonder if he'll beat the runner - and he always does.
If you don't consider anything else at all - Flores has been beaten up a lot. Catching an entire staff that throws power stuff and ungodly breaking stuff - plus ( gulp) HRod? Add to that the number of times he has been hit. He probably has bruises that won't fade until the off season. If Suzuki is the high-character guy everyone says he is, he will make it his business to make Flores his ally as soon as possible. Flo knows lots of stuff Kurt needs to know. He will probably understand the dynamics and tread tactfully. You know, if Suzuki can straighten out Gio, he will be worth having. Gio has been struggling for a while now. Not the whole game, but he gets ADD innings.
baseballswami, sports is very reactionary which is why the game thread is painful at times.
I remember a frequent poster in April that said EJax should be tied up longterm instead if JZim. The rationale was EJax was a better pitcher. It was written after a good EJax start which was a game after a JZim so-so start.
People were talking trash about Ramoose after the HenRod wild pitch in the Dodgers series. It was ridiculous then and again some don't understand the game. They watch but don't see it which is fine but the knee-jerk reactions sometimes just make for mostly bad posts.
I'm interested to see how the pitchers adapt to Kurt. See if he'll make good pitches in situations.
I have a feeling Jordan will be calling his own game.
Section 222 said...
Why is everything an argument with you?
It's not, except with you. Hmm, wonder why that is. I just express my opinions. You like to pick fights. To each his own.
Again, how is asking you a simple question "picking a fight"? I really am curious how Flores could possibly have been any more professional in that situation than he was. Seems to me he did everything right. But, as you often say, I could be wrong. Enlighten me.
Nice to see Bryce get the Heart and Hustle award.
Saw the Giants had 70th birthday celebration for Jerry Garcia on the 1st, while playing the Mets. They gave out Jerry Garcia bobbleheads.
We get Healthcare Night there on the 14th. Do they give out syringes.
Nice start Zimm.
Danny out on 3 pitches. As anxious as a school kid. Shaking my head. Very disappointing. Unfortunately has to bat 8th.
Maybe 'Healthcare Night' will feature the dancing hospital beds from the Olympic opening ceremonies?
Nats need to see more pitches. JZim didn't get his outside pitches that were clearly strikes. Lombo with a Web Gem on Reyes.
Now, it's affecting his fielding...
Extra pitches now. Tailor made doubleplay. Worse than that, it scored a run and kept the inning going.
Two runs and both are probably earned. 11 extra pitches thrown.
Solano slid as late as possible, forcing the errant throw from Danny. That's quite a risk on Solano's part -- he could have ended with an Espi fastball from 10 feet away in his face. I bet Ozzie loves that kind of stuff.
Id start Lombo over Danny when Iam returns.
LaRoche!
No one peforms better then ALR and gets less love on this board
Section 135, Davey as he showed with Storen and Flores is playing to win without regards to "feelings". Even the Henry coddling us finally over. Nothing surprises me going forward.
would like to see espi make up for error but more importantly his non aggressive at bat
sec135... I agree, if danny can't work out whatever his deal is in his head, i agree
agreed Ghost
SCNatsFan, read some more.
watching Burhle and Johnson, i cant believe the Marlins are 10 under
I think Espi has a chance to be an All star every year if he can work out some consistency at bat
come on guys!!!!!
if Braves can beat Marlins 2of 3, I mean come on Nats!!!
SteveM said "two runs and both are probably earned..."
==========================
I think it's just one earned, but I don't think Bob Carpenter's explanation was correct. Because you can't assume a double play, Carlos Lee would have been on third after the fielder's choice, while Gorkys Hernandez would have been on first. John Buck's double would have scored Mr. Lee as an earned run; the official scorer probably couldn't assume that Mr. Hernandez would score from first on a double. At least, that's my take.
I'm with you, Ghost. It's 2012 or bust with Davey. And I don't blame him a bit. He's in first place, he's got the horses, and he's 69.
When you're 69, there is no five-year plan. For anything.
Just win, baby.
mick, outside of the first half of last year and a couple of spurts Danny hasn't shown he can hit. He doesn't need consistency; he needs a new approach at the plate. I know chicks dig the long ball but Nats fans would love to see more singles and less swing for the fences K's. His rate of striking out has risen all 3 years instead of getting better; clearly the rest of the league also sees the gigantic holes in his swing and the lack of adjustment by Danny. Lets hope he gets it - soon - and then we can think about him being an all star.
ladies and gentlemen; YOUR 2009 Washington Nationals.
Well then nats jack we will talk to you tommorow.
NatsJack, we are playing our kryptonite. A split would be progress for us.
Eugene, correct. They didn't consider the runner on 1st would have scored on the double. The official scorer had them both earned and changed it shortly afterwards.
Fact is, spotty defense and a 3-1 deficit.
JZim takes a walk. Espinosa better pick him up. Would have been a great night to have put Werth in leadoff.
Ray charles base hit
I wonder how annoying of an opponent Reyes is. The smiling, the gestures, all the little things. Personally it really bothers me.
Espi, contact does wonders. Nice
the kid just cant hit. Hes hurting us with his bat
the reason the mrlins are smiling is because they are trashing our chances.
nice!!!!! come on guys
So far tonight, in addition to his usual banalities, Bob has given us the wrong score (3-0 when it was actually 3-1) and other major verbal jammage.
It's only a matter of time before he calls the Marlins the Mets - again.
JZim just did a Desi-RBI with two outs and man on 3rd.
So much for my theory of a low-scoring game...
RZim
Now THATS what your 3 and 4 hitters are supposed to do. Wonder if NatsJack can complain if its tied lol
Exposremains said...
I wonder how annoying of an opponent Reyes is. The smiling, the gestures, all the little things. Personally it really bothers me.
No worse than Bonifacio (jerk). At least Reyes has talent.
Morse with the equalizer. Thought it was a rapper.
Did you all notice the MASN rally killer text right after Morse's single.
3-3
NatsJack, smart man. I am going to do the same.
In four innings, Suzuki already has won me over. He's even clapping for our heroes coming back from Iraq and Afghanistan. Way to go!!
Sunshine
Youre right about bonifacio.
I guess my question is: is it more annoying to the fans or players when players conduct themselves like reyes and bonifacio?
Meet the new boss. Lot like the old boss.
Espi, is just off his game. Reyes shouldnt be on the bases.
@Expos: I'm just guessing it affects us more. Players respect talent...so Reyes can pretty much do whatever he wants and they won't bad-mouth him. They're all in the same millionaires' row.
So many extra pitches. Espi has ruined JZim's entire start.
Espi working on his spot on the bench come September.
Jordan is a rhythm guy. Tough to watch. Can't sit Espinosa. Just have to hope he improves.
@NatsJack: If Espi's fielding suffers, then we're in deep. He's leading the league in strikeouts. Judging from tonight's performance, he's trying to do the same in errors. Don't know if you're listening to FP where you are, but FP actually broke down Espi's latest throwing error very well. Said it was because he dropped down sidearm. You can get away with that at 2B, because it's a short throw. But at SS, that kind of motion leads to erratic throws because of the greater distance. Makes sense. I can kinda give the guy a pass because he's played 2B his entire big league career. But as I said, if his fielding goes south, then his contribution becomes nil. Because he's not doing much of anything at the plate...except swinging at All Those Sliders in the Dirt.
I can't believe the official scorer gave Reyes a single on that grounder.
Bryce needs to play only when a righty is pitching. Enough the Damn bobblehead already.
Martinson just homered again. He now has 21 homers, 99 RBIs, 94 runs scored and 27 bases.
In 110 games.
That's 27 stolen bases for Martinson.
As I posted yesterday, Espinosa is hard to watch at the plate in his slump. Now he is also hard to watch as he loses concentration in the field. Having him as the lead-off hitter is madness.
Davey needs to sit him until he gets his head straight. The "play him regardless" strategy worked the first time around but we are in a pennant race now and you cant invest August into the unqualified support strategy.
Richard Moore
Richard, who plays short and 2nd
The whole bunch of Marlins are arrogant idiots. The manager is total garbage. But when you are tops in the division and you let a team own you its your own fault.
they extra day of rest really helped JZ.
Go Astros... should not have to do this, lol.
Reyes is a BALL PLAYER!
ALR!!! What can you say?
I think what you say Rick, is we are picking up your option year Adam
Suzuki could get some fans quickly. LaRoche in his zone.
Nice bunt by Suzuki.
dj ... ya think??? :)
Uh Oh
Nats have all the sign of a team that is flat and ready to give back some games in the standings i.e. to slump
Trouble.
No one noticing Harper who rarely gets it out of the infield anymore -- and heading for .240. hasnt hit a homer in over a month -- and, quite frankly, looks tires and weak.
Espi? what can you say: Hot for two weeks and back to his old ways. 1 for his last 34. and five errors now at SS. Not good. Team is poised for a major slump.
DeRosa just continues to be a non factor on this team. I guess like Stairs this is the place some players come to die. I really thought he'd be decent this year.
Anyway you put -- as positive as you want to be:
Suzuki ain't all that much. A catcher who is barely hitting his weight -- can't possibly handle this staff better than Flo --
I will bet many of the players have a slight attitude as to how the trade was handled. and not to tell Flo, and to let the media tell him, well, thats shameful. You are a decent GM, Rizzo, but surely you are a Class A A-Hole.
De Rosa is washed up -- that's how we got him.
Let's hope the same doesnt apply to Suzuki
Ump and Espi not helping tonight
5 will get you 10 Gonzalez is scored upon -- Gonzo and Gorzellany are very weak links on this team.
NatsJack, sure TyMo on 1st when ALR needs a break.
When A Holes makes mistakes, they're often very big ones. Players dont play hard for long for A holes.
Marlins have a terrible lineup and yet theyre always up to something. And another error. Disgusting. This franchise really has a marlins complex
Errors just piling on the runs and pitches
Can't blame MGonzo for that wall. He struck out Reyes on a great pitch. Lousy umpiring.
Walk
Alumni news: J-Max has homered twice. Houston leading Atlanta 3-2 in the eighth. Maybe this loss won't hurt.
Go J=Max
Way to help out your hometown team.
lets talk about weak links. Danny and bryce. Just a tradegy hitting 1 2. gotta get somebody else like werth leading off.
Danny just appears so lost. Davey will blame it in him playing SS but he is so overmatched right now. Please hurry back Ian.
everyone seems to give Bryce a pass. The fact is he cant hit his way out of a bag.
Harper can't get the ball out of the infield. There is real trouble there.
Espinoza takes yet another ball down the middle. He is now 1 for his last 34. There is real trouble there.
Karma is a Bitch, Rizzo. Nats officially in Slump.
Lets be honest
Harper or Trout. Who would you rather have?
I sense a behind-closed-door team meeting coming on. The first of the year?
Just an awful performance from MOST of the team. A homestand to forget. Very frustrating. This team is not ready.
NatsJack: yep, Davey is a nice guy --
Until he needs to tell a player bad news. Then Davey is just as big an A-Hole as Rizzo is -- maybe worse -- because Davey wants to be the nice guy, and Rizzo doesnt give a hoot.
Rememeber when Davey waited until the middle of game to tell Lannan -- while sitting on the bench!!) that he was going down to Syracuse? Now, Davey fails to inform Flo -- the loyal trooper flo -- that he had just lost his job. Yeah, Real nice guy.
Find another home, Flo. You are disrespected in D.C.
Nats are out of miracles for a while, I'm afraid.
Been said before but rizzo would make everybody a favor by getting a stabilizing force for the middle infield. It will not affect the chemistry. I think gio showed yesterday that there is frustration on the team with espinosa.
NatsFan: Ha ha ridiculous.
Werth will deliver
Astros win
Werth doesnt chase pitches the others might. Walks
braves lose
Great news on Braves loss.
Suzuki looks like the type of player he is on two hopelessly behind swings.
Ha Ha Ha
Billy Beane makes Nats Chumps.
Suzuki is horrible.
For all those who feel Flores should sulk because he wasn't told wake up. What is better, to wait until after the games or do it before. Would telling him earlier make it OK for him to return to the bench? Its too bad a reporter told him but he's a big boy.
Bottom line if he was producing then Kurt will still be in Oakland. Not telling him sooner doesn't change that at all.
Can Harper get it out of the infield?
I hate to day it, Suzuki looking like Ankiel in that at-bat.
My mistake -- still think Lombo is leading off
Moore will deliver.
Lombo with a nice contact hit through the middle.
Yes!!!!
Nice piece of hitting by TyMo. Professional hitter.
Espi -- OOOHHHH NOOOO
He will K
I guess Dunn doesnt know how to pitch to Espi
STRIKE TWO ON DANNY BOY
That cures everything!
TyMo showing again what happens when bat meets ball. ESPINKSA IS THEAN
HAHAHAHAAH
a BLIND SQUIRREL JUST FOUND AN aCCORN!!!
whoda thunk a bum like that would do it?
I love this game
the Gods are working overtime tonight
I love it when a player NI posters are giving up for dead comes through in the clutch. Atta boy, Danny!!!
I tale credit for Espi's at bat because of my constant bashing
ESPINOSA
The Gods have lost their minds in this game!
hahahhahah WOW DANNY ESPINOOOOOOOOOOOOSA. We all should apologize. WEWWWWWWWWW
And BRYCE!!!
HARPER
Wow
Harper Needed that -- so did the Nats ==
Go Kid!!!
RickH nothing would make me happier then Espi to prove me wrong
Thank you, Mike Dunn. Please stop by anytime.
Hilarious. Dunn makes his own error. Gives up six runs. All with two outs. None of it earned. Crazy baseball rules.
Hey NatsFanSinceStart-
The baseball Gods have not found your comments amusing tonight.
No apologies needed. Again, bat meet ball. Why should anyone apologize, Espi would tell you he sucked.
HAHAHA Yes I said Bryce and danny are awful. I WAS WRONG AND IM GLAD. WHEEEEEEEW baby.
Espinoza is now 2 for his last 35.
Great way to redeem yourself, espinosa! Best part about this is watching ozzie's face on mrlins feed. He's about to blow up!
Hitting is contagious
rogieshan said...
I sense a behind-closed-door team meeting coming on
i sense a behind-closed-door team party coming on.
Since Start: thpbbbbbbbbb!!!!!!!!
Looking funny EEYORE!!!!!! hAHAHA!!!
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