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Photo by Mark Zuckerman / NATS INSIDER Gio Gonzalez seeks his 16th win in today's series finale at Nationals Park. |
Fast-forward to this morning when the Nationals' lineup for their series finale against the Mets was posted, with Desmond listed as the starting shortstop. Jayson Werth also is in there after Johnson said he planned to rest the outfielder.
So, there you have it. I'd pass along Davey's explanation for the change-of-heart, but he doesn't hold a pregame session with reporters on Sundays, so we'll have to wait until after this game. That's assuming the game is played. There's a fairly sizable weather system approaching from the southwest, and it looks like rain is a certainty for much of the afternoon. Having said that, this is the Mets' final scheduled game in D.C. this season, which means they'll do everything they can to try to get the game in.
Stay tuned for updates...
NEW YORK METS at WASHINGTON NATIONALS
Where: Nationals Park
Gametime: 1:35 p.m. EDT
TV: MASN, Ch. 50, MLB.tv
Radio: WJFK (106.7 FM), WFED (1500 AM), XM 183
Weather: Thunderstorms, 80 degrees, Wind 7 mph RF to LF
NATIONALS (74-46)
RF Jayson Werth
CF Bryce Harper
3B Ryan Zimmerman
1B Adam LaRoche
LF Michael Morse
SS Ian Desmond
2B Danny Espinosa
C Kurt Suzuki
LHP Gio Gonzalez
METS (57-63)
CF Andres Torres
2B Justin Turner
3B David Wright
RF Scott Hairston
1B Ike Davis
SS Ronny Cedeno
LF Jason Bay
C Kelly Shoppach
RHP Jeremy Hefner
UMPIRES
HP Jordan Baker
1B Ted Barrett (cc)
2B Brian Runge
3B Marvin Hudson
12:55 p.m. -- It's raining pretty hard here right now, and there doesn't appear to be any clearing up coming. Could turn into a long afternoon.
2:00 p.m. -- Nothing new to report. The tarp has been on the infield for a good 90 minutes now, and there's been no movement since.
3:25 p.m. -- Hey, we're going to have baseball! The grounds crew has removed the tarp (to a thunderous roar from the crowd) and we'll have first pitch at approximately 4 p.m.
4:01 p.m. -- And we are underway at last following a 2-hour, 26-minute rain delay. The stands are still nearly full. Can't say I ever remember this many fans sticking it out here through a delay this long.
4:17 p.m. -- It took 27 pitches, but Gio Gonzalez battled his way through a long first inning and kept the Mets from scoring. He fell behind a bunch of hitters, including 3-0 to Ike Davis with two outs and two on, but props to the lefty for coming up with big pitches when he needed to.
4:30 p.m. -- Much better stuff from Gonzalez in the top of the second. He did surrender a two-out single up the middle to Kelly Shoppach but got three groundouts and wasn't working from behind in the count as much as he was in the first.
4:36 p.m. -- It's over in Atlanta as the Dodgers beat the Braves 5-0. So the Nats will be at least four games up (possibly five) when their big series with Atlanta begins tomorrow night.
4:40 p.m. -- Boy, it didn't look like Danny Espinosa squared up that 1-0 breaking ball from Hefner just now. Guess he did, because the ball sailed into the same corridor next to the left-field bullpen that Ike Davis found last night. That's an opposite-field, two-run homer by Espinosa to give the Nats a 2-0 lead after two.
4:51 p.m. -- Three scoreless in the books for Gio, but he's already thrown 57 pitches. Still falling behind almost everybody. Something to keep an eye on.
5:05 p.m. -- Another hit for Werth, who is now 21-for-52 with nine walks since coming off the DL. Harper then laced an RBI triple to right-center, the latest well-struck ball for the rookie (who has looked much better the last few days). A Zimmerman base hit brought Harper home and gave the Nats a 4-0 lead. The only negative: Desmond is now 0-for-9 since his possibly premature return from the DL.
5:30 p.m. -- He's given up at least one hit in all five innings so far, but Gio has yet to allow a run. You might say he's living a semi-charmed kind of life today. (Anybody who stuck around for the Third Eye Blind concert last night will get that joke.) Still 4-0 as we move to the bottom of the fifth.
5:38 p.m. -- Whoa, Harper launches one off the facing of the second deck in right-center for his 12th homer of the season, second in this series. Can you name the only players in ML history to hit at least 12 home runs in their "age 19" season? Tony Conigliaro (24), Mel Ott (18), Ken Griffey Jr. (16), Mickey Mantle (13) and Bryce Harper (12). I'd say that's fairly select company. Nats up 5-0 through five.
5:53 p.m. -- Not Gio's best outing today. He gave up a run in the top of the sixth, then issued a two-out walk to Kelly Shoppach on his 110th pitch of the afternoon. That was all Captain Hook needed to see. In came Craig Stammen to get out of the inning. So Gio went only 5 2/3 innings, but he's still in line to become the first pitcher in Nationals history with 16 wins. It's 5-1 now in the bottom of the sixth.
6:05 p.m. -- Praying mantis delay in the outfield! Apparently Scott Hairston was too scared to touch the bug, so Andres Torres had to come over and scoop it up in his glove. Disaster averted.
6:15 p.m. -- Big 5-4-3 double play from Zimmerman, Espinosa and LaRoche to end the top of the seventh. As well as they've pitched and hit lately, the Nats' defense (especially in the infield) has been spectacular. Still 5-1 at the stretch.
6:35 p.m. -- The Mets get a run in the top of the eighth off Michael Gonzalez, so that does create a save situation for the ninth, with the Nats up 5-2. Meanwhile, today's official paid attendance: 33,764. And a pretty good number of them are still here five hours after this game was supposed to begin.
6:45 p.m. -- OK, here we go. Tyler Clippard in for the ninth, the Nats up three runs. Top of the Mets order due up.
6:54 p.m. -- That's it. A long day at the ballpark ends in a 5-2 victory for the Nationals. Gio Gonzalez becomes the first Nats pitcher ever to win 16 games. And they now lead the Braves by five games heading into this week's showdown.
130 comments:
I love Davey... manager of the year, no doubt... but I disagree with Lombo out... I think this hurts his confidence, especially after Devey said publicly he would play today.
Could not agree more.... Mick
Maybe Lombo was sick or some other good reason. Other than that, I agree with you Mick.
Yeah, me three on Lombo!
Even more so, Hefner is ripe for Lombo's LH bat! And I'm a Desi fan!
C'mon Davey, stick to your guns!!!
If Desi hits a HR to-day, I'll deny that I ever posted this!
With Werth and Desi reportedly sitting, both Lombo and Shark end up sitting instead.
Shark has been very good off the bench, not so much for Lombo.
It was a head-scratcher in the 1st place that Desi was going to sit today.
I like the idea of why Lombo just couldn't start in place of Espi vs. the RH pitcher.
Doc, I understand Desi playing but a great time to rest Espi. If Espi hits a HR today, I'll deny that I ever post this! LOL
I hope Lombo was ailing or Davey has an honest explanation, this is bothersome to me
Also... Davey even suggested Lombo could play some in the outfield or as Gonat said, rest Espi, put Lombo at 2nd and Desi ss...??
"Lombo's my guy." - Davey Johnson
25 players make a team right? If this "team" is going to the playoffs this team is going to have to do it. Daveys playing head games to see who has the gonads to withstand pressure. A good move IMO.
You're up.
DWS... good point, the question is, why play any head games at this point. These young men have with stood incredible pressure since April with injuries, etc... They have proven their mettle. I hope Davey is not doing this at this point. They are pro's but they are young and it sends a really bad message to a young 21-22 year old player.
As a coach myself, I found out early in practices and in the early part of the season what players had gonads and could deal with adverse situations... after that, I stuck with them and always had their back. You have to be careful here.
Interesting, so sitting Lombo is a gonad test. I learn new things every day here.
In Davey we trust.
Lets win another series. And then we can work on winning the next series.
Rather condescending Ghost. Excuse me.
Excuse the spell check as well.
Davy talks often about roles on the team. Lombo's role, as hot as he has been, is utility/LF guy. Still, seems like a good day to let Desi catch his breath, so to speak, and catch his breath after a stint on the DL.
In Davey we trust ... I second that, DWS.
Gonat said...
Maybe Lombo was sick or some other good reason. Other than that, I agree with you Mick.
August 19, 2012 12:22 PM
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Why are people jumping to conclusions or trying to come up with motives and squeezing gonads.
In Davey We Trust because that's the only way this team will head to post-season.
I'm sure Davey has already spoken to Lombo and had their discussion. Things change. Not sure why its such a big deal. Lombo made this team as a utility guy.
However- I don't remember Davey Johnson ever being so wishy washy in the past. He helped choose all of these players the last few years for the organization, then became their manager and is very personally attached to them.This is not at all a usual baseball situation. That's good for the most part, but it seems like he sometimes is like the indulgent parent. The kids beg and say pretty please and he gives in. I know he respects players that want to stay out on the field, I do, too, but that's not always what is best in the long run. If Desi is pushed and goes down again, Lombo is rusting. If Jayson's ankle keeps barking, we will need a sharp Bernie. And the field is wet today, too. That bothers me with Jayson's ankle. I think if we had won last night it would have been different. With a slippery field, I don't know.
Davey just said on the pre-game interview with Dave J that Desi and Werth are both in there today because they told him they want to go. So there's your honest explanation mick. I think they've earned the right to make that request, and I trust Davey as far as whose egos or confidence he needs to nurse.
swami.... very well said
In case folks didn't hear, Desi made his request by text after the game:
Desi: Skip, my side's fine. I want that righthander tomorrow.
Davey: You're the man.
sec222... OK, all I am saying is you have to be careful with young players who have more than earned the trust of the team. I love Davey and trust him, but I can also be concerned as well
My guess is that Davey was concerned with the performances of both Desmond #6 and Werth at leadoff especially when compared to Lombardozzi and Bernadina recently.
Both starters must produce especially this late in the season. I firmly believe if they had won this game Davey would have gone through with his original thinking for the lineup today. A two to nothing shutdown when they got a superb performance from their starter? That isn't how a winning team does it. That's how the Nats used to do it. He probably felt he couldn't let them sit after that performance got to get them back in the saddle again and see if they can ride out as they should.
Best way to put it to paraphrase Jim Riggleman, "I've got to get Jayson and Dezy going!"
But it's not the players' decision to make. Cooler and wiser heads are supposed to prevail. Since when do the players that beg get to be in the lineup? How often have we ever heard a player say he is just fine, even when it turned out he wasn't? If Desi had rested more earlier he might not have needed the dl in the first place.They are not objective enough to make this decision. Davey has gotten soft in his old age? And Desi had zero rehab appearances. Again - wet field today. Danger, Will Robinson.
peric... OK, that makes sense
Delay of game. Now they're talking about a make up game.
Gonat and baseballswami, good points. Davey does it his way.
Bernie is doing great as a PH batting .318 with a .464 OBP while Lombo is .214 as a PH on 14 ABs.
Bernie is perfect in his niche off the bench and Lombo is more effective starting the game.
I'll be honest. I liked what Davey said the other night about this being a 25 man team and the need to keep guys fresh and give them opportunities, even though they've now returned to bench roles. Plus giving the starters occasional rest seems like a good idea, especially those who were recently injured and with the big series against Atlanta coming up. So I was happy with the original plan to give Lombo and Bernadina a start today, and I was disappointed that Davey changed his mind. But for goodness sakes, this team is 28 games over .500 right now. He seems to have handled these kinds of questions pretty well so far. Are we really going to second guess Davey's judgment today? Not me.
Today's projected lineup is what you would expect as the "A" lineup against RH pitching.
Davey's answer was fine plus the team had a day off on Thursday. I would think Desi needs the reps.
If you are bored, waiting for the Nats - tbs has Braves/Dodgers.
ghost - don't you think Desi needed some reps in a rehab start? Seems like the Nats have made this same mistake before, only now it's later in the season and more critical.
more important question... will they play today, or not?
baseballswami, honestly if it was my choice yes, but the plan was Daveys over Rizzo where Davey wanted Desi with him and does that with all the youngsters.
It's been Daveys way. When Espi was in a funk, Davey wouldn't send him down. That's Daveys way.
baseballswami said...
If you are bored, waiting for the Nats - tbs has Braves/Dodgers.
August 19, 2012 1:55 PM
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Thanks!
Uggla has so much eye black that he makes Bryce's look underdone.
I flip to the Braves game and what are they talking about? Of course! And the end of the comment about how Boras "claims to have helped Rizzo build that team".
Mets are only going to NY, Nats stay home. My guess is that they wait it out.
I switched to the TBS game (nice bunt Billingsley, bad throw McCann) but decided to turn the sound down when I found they were talking about you know what.
Anyone know if they are prohibited from playing the game tonight because of ESPN Sunday Night Baseball?
At least they are showing the braves game on the big screen here at the park
Section222, a rain delay can go past 8PM
Section222, hope it doesn't though. The Orioles had a game last week that started at 10PM and ended around 1AM after a 3 hour rain delay.
gang... I am sure I speak for all of us when I say, the national mlb guys are sickening on this whole you know what (I will not dignify it) issue. At first, I simply wrote it off as stupidity... now, I really think they are simply trouble makers trying to create a controversy and they could care less how ugly it gets. This is really a sad reflection on the entire media culture from news-sports. Instead of talking about the Nats as a wonderful story, these toads have to trivialize all the hard work this organization has put in
Mick - that is actually my biggest problem with "the subject" - there is such a positive story here that is being ignored. That - and the idea that 24 teammates are nothing without the other 1. Quite the opposite of the truth, which is that this is a team without prima donna stars.
swami.... BINGO
baseballswami said...
Mick - that is actually my biggest problem with "the subject" - there is such a positive story here that is being ignored. That - and the idea that 24 teammates are nothing without the other 1. Quite the opposite of the truth, which is that this is a team without prima donna stars.
August 19, 2012 2:26 PM
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I like that. I think ridding this team of Nyjer was the prima dona who thought he was a star in his own mind.
More people here watching Atl game on scoreboard than in stands at Turner Field.
Wow! The stands are really empty, aren't they. I kinda like the TV team, though.
Cruz!
Think they are watching in the clubhouse?
More people are watching and waiting to see what happens with "Stragate" than are following the National Election. I am almost certain it will be the lead topic of Meet the Press or the McLauglin Group any time now.
I'm sure Minors fastball would look good to the Beast.Thank you Dodgers.
Cubs-Reds on WGN, too. Not quite as interesting, but non-rainy baseball.
Freakin' Victorino
This softball person in the booth with Smoltz making all of these baseball to softball analogies is getting old.
Folks at the game-- anything going on ?
Steady rain here in Reston.
Slightly clearing skies in DC
Actually Ghost, with a view to your on-going attempts at edumacation, the 'gonads' refers to both the female and male parts of the reproductive system.
Soon as I figure out how to get that bio-fact into our elevated discussion of cojones, bravery, basic foolishnes, and the Nats' lineup, I'll get back to you!
In the meantime, lol guys and gals!!!
Slightly in-between here in Arlington ;-)
Doc, I can take no credit for your edumacation on gonads as that began with DWS at 12:58.
DWS said...
Daveys playing head games to see who has the gonads to withstand pressure. A good move IMO.
You're up.
August 19, 2012 12:58 PM
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Talking about head games and gonads in the same sentence on a baseball blog is not a good idea.
Also, gonads and pressure, not a good idea. Watch the James Bond torture scene in Casino Royale and you will know about what I talk of.
First pitch at 4
Thanks Wendell !
4pm start time announced!
Gonat said...
This softball person in the booth with Smoltz making all of these baseball to softball analogies is getting old.
AGREED!!!
We started down there at 11:00, when the skies opened up, and then headed home. Debating whether to head back out. Hmmmmm.....Either way, GYFNG!
Anyone know if they are prohibited from playing the game tonight because of ESPN Sunday Night Baseball?
No. Blackout status is determined by the scheduled start time of the game. A game can't get rain delayed into a blackout. Also, I don't think the ESPN Sunday blackout is as hard and fast as the Fox Saturday blackout. The Rangers routinely play their Sunday home games at night due to the excessive heat there, even when they're not on ESPN. I'd think they wouldn't do that if their game was going to be blacked out - especially given what they're being paid for their local TV rights.
And the blackout rules are just about the TV broadcast anyway. There's no prohibition on playing a game during blackout times. It just can't be televised.
Mick, also softball doesn't translate well to baseball. Might as well bring in a cricket bowler to talk about their sport.
Night and day.
The Michele Smith in the TBS booth spells her name just like MicheleS. Hmmmm
Sunlight helps the Dodgers!
yeaaa, Dodgers. 2-0 lead in top of 8th.
May not be much sun in DC but that sun in Atlanta just helped DC!
Come on, Dodgers!!!!!
JaneB, also debating heading back to the game.
Gio's glove is embroidered with "HIALEAH"
Struck out Wright on the 5th pitch and had to throw 4 more pitches to induce the Flyout.
Into the 9th in Atlanta.
Gio was lucky Hairston didn't send that pitch into Section 105
Jayson Werth now batting .380 since returning from the DL.
Now Dodgers winning 5-0
Big crowd in spite of the rain ...
DODGERS WIN!
Dodgers win here's the Nats' chance to open a five game lead again.
As I promised if Espi hits a HR, DENIAL. LOL
Gio got Hefner to throw a lot of pitches. Good job Gio!
Gio, can't do that. No leadoff walks.
Espi could start.
I hate all walks lead off or otherwise. They put free runners on and tunup the putch count It is one area McCatty needs to work on for next season is the pitch count. Our relievers have pitrched second most in the league.
Greinke has given up 4 earned runs in 4 innings today vs. Tampa.
Trout just hit his 24th HR. Hand him the Rookie of the Year trophy right now and he has to be in serious consideration for MVP.
Werth seems very comfy leading off. Need Bryce to come through.
OK, since it seems to be working: Zimm is due for a homer.
Gonat, Greinke has given up 6 and his ERA is over 4. I said it 2 years ago that he can't pitch under big city pressure. Would have been bad for Nats.
NatsJack and Gonat, I need to make the next get together with you guys. Dodgers series won't work in my schedule. I am thinking early October on the road!
NatsJack in Florida said...
Gonat...great seeing you and Andrew last nite. I'll be back for the last Dodger game and 3 of the Brewer games.
And Werth, Harper and Zim come through!
August 19, 2012 4:57 PM
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Same here. We will meet up again and hopefully sit together on your next trip. Also Derek and the Legion Of Boom is great!
I think Ian's wing is good, its a question of getting use to seeing the ball leave the pitcher's hand... he will be fine.
having said that, i would go with Lombo in 6th or 7th to keep him involved
Ghost Of Steve M. said...
Gonat, Greinke has given up 6 and his ERA is over 4. I said it 2 years ago that he can't pitch under big city pressure. Would have been bad for Nats.
August 19, 2012 5:01 PM
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It looks like the case. His Angels ERA is blowing up.
GIO!!!! How great was that trade? Not just for his pitching ability; I think he has brought to the Nats the same character/attitude/enthusiasm that AJ Burnett brought to the Yankees in 2009, namely Joy and Playfulness.
I like 0 runs through 5, but again way too many pitches through 6. 0- is how many you should have through 7 (or 9)
Mick, I agree. Lombok is really hitting. Too bad he can't play catcher. I see the braves lost. That happened the same time my inlaws drove away. Go nats.
Bryceeeeeeeeeeee. Yah hoo
Thanks, Bryce, for getting that slump over early.
Unfortunately burning the bullpen early today.
Gio's pitch count way too high. At least he is winning, but he might win more yet if he would learn to keep the count down.
Our bullpen pitches more than all but one in the league. Too many pitches by the starters in too few innings.
Manassas Nats' Fan said...
Gio's pitch count way too high. At least he is winning, but he might win more yet if he would learn to keep the count down.
August 19, 2012 5:53 PM
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Just too much biting corners costing him pitches and less inning. 5 2/3 today.
Praying mantis carpenter Gheesh
Grasshopper? Come on Carp!
Gonat. He must be a city boy
The Mets' bullpen since the all star game has been pathetic, but this series we have done nothing against them yet. (last night we couldn't hit Niwse, but no problem Friday or today against the starters).
Nats just can't do things easily. Come on Craig!
He got them. Nice ryan
Werths music was zeppelin Dazed and confused. Hahahaha. Yeah baby.
can we do it the easy way and not allow the runner the last two innings.
Before I sent this they hit a double.
Sotren can get a vulcher save if we do not score.
Gonat said...
Also, gonads and pressure, not a good idea. Watch the James Bond torture scene in Casino Royale and you will know about what I talk of.
August 19, 2012 3:19 PM
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LOL! It hurts just to think about that scene!
Good to meet you yesterday GoNat!
Here comes Tyler. Get the Rolaids out. Ughhhh sooooooo nervous.
haha should be fun.
The overpowering change again!
That was an enormous preying mantis too! Abnormally hot weather ... and a good amount of moisture ...
Tyler seems to be breathing out of the correct eye-lid today...hitting his spots with the FB and the change
Curly W #75 is in the books!
Combined with an almost serendipitous pseudo-political drama in Strasgate there's the odd coverage of the Nats. The only reason they aren't still buried by the media is because of Strasgate. Then you add the fact that their broadcast media source MASN completely favors another team, the Orioles.
When you click multimedia on their website you still get mostly Orioles videos with Ghiroli et al. If you use the menu to click Nats you get the Nats selections but as soon as you finish watching the video it goes back to al Ori'holes.
Its surreal.
5 games ahead of the Braves ... 1 game to 30 over .500 again.
WOOOOOOO HOOOOOO!!! Nats win, another series win in the books!
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