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Photo by Mark Zuckerman / NATS INSIDER The Nats open a big, three-game series against the Braves tonight. |
Yes, it's been awhile since D.C. has hosted anything along these lines, with the first-place Nationals trying to hold off the second-place Braves over the next three nights and perhaps extend their five-game lead to even greater numbers.
We've got a great pitching matchup to kick this series off: Jordan Zimmermann starts for the Nats against Braves ace Tim Hudson. All the healthy regulars are in both teams' lineups. All that's left to do is play the games.
Check back here, of course, for updates and analysis throughout...
ATLANTA BRAVES at WASHINGTON NATIONALS
Where: Nationals Park
Gametime: 7:05 p.m. EDT
TV: MASN, MLB.tv
Radio: WJFK (106.7 FM), WFED (1500 AM), XM 183
Weather: Mostly cloudy, 75 degrees, Wind 3 mph in from LF
NATIONALS (75-46)
RF Jayson Werth
CF Bryce Harper
3B Ryan Zimmerman
LF Michael Morse
1B Adam LaRoche
SS Ian Desmond
2B Danny Espinosa
C Kurt Suzuki
RHP Jordan Zimmermann
BRAVES (70-51)
CF Michael Bourn
LF Martin Prado
RF Jason Heyward
3B Chipper Jnes
1B Freddie Freeman
2B Dan Uggla
C Brian McCann
SS Paul Janish
RHP Tim Hudson
UMPIRES
HP Doug Eddings
1B Kerwin Danley
2B Paul Nauert
3B Dana DeMith (cc)
6:38 p.m. -- Uh-oh, the tarp is being rolled out over the infield as we speak, and there are ominous-looking clouds approaching from the west. It would certainly appear unlikely this game will begin on-time.
7:05 p.m. -- And we're officially in a rain delay. Looks like it'll just be one heavy line of storms passing through, and then that should be it. In the meantime, if you haven't seen it, here's the updated story on Lucas Giolito, who Mike Rizzo acknowledges may need Tommy John surgery.
7:35 p.m. -- Update: The game will start at 8 p.m.
8:01 p.m. -- And we're underway after a 56-minute delay. Much smaller crowd than we had over the weekend -- the place is probably half-full -- but it's a plenty boisterous group nonetheless.
8:14 p.m. -- Well, that wasn't what the Nats or Jordan Zimmermann had in mind. At the same time, it could've been worse. A lot worse. A Martin Prado double followed by a Jason Heyward single put the Braves up 1-0. And when Zimmermann walked Chipper Jones, the right-hander appeared to be in a world of trouble. Then salvation came from an unexpected source: Kurt Suzuki. Heyward tried to steal third base -- something you expected the Braves to do a lot of in this series -- but Suzuki gunned him down with a perfect throw. Zimmermann then got Freddie Freeman to fly out and end the top of the first with only one run across the plate. Could've been much, much worse.
8:31 p.m. -- So much for the Nats having to dig themselves out of an early hole. They just put up a 4-spot in the bottom of the first. Mercy. Jayson Werth led off with a double to left, then scored moments later on Bryce Harper's opposite-field single. Ryan Zimmerman lined a base hit to right. Michael Morse then smoked a comebacker that would've gone through for a hit had it not deflected off Hudson's pitching hand and right to shortstop Paul Janish. The Braves trainer came out to check on Hudson, but he apparently was fine to continue. Not that he pitched like it. Adam LaRoche battled his way through a great at-bat before finally tapping an RBI groundout to first. And then the big blast: Ian Desmond destroyed the first pitch he saw from Hudson, launching it into the left-field bleachers for a 2-run homer that left this place rocking. It was Desmond's first hit in 12 at-bats since coming off the DL. Guess he's got his timing back now. The Nats lead 4-1 after a wild first inning.
8:46 p.m. -- Another walk for Werth, who has reached in both plate appearances so far tonight. It's remarkable how productive he's been since coming back from the DL himself at the start of the month. Onto to the third inning, the Nats still up 4-1.
8:59 p.m. -- Desmond rips another ball, though this one was on the ground and snagged by Dan Uggla to start a 4-6-3 double play that ended the bottom of the third. The Nats have put seven men on base already against Hudson and still lead 4-1 after three.
9:14 p.m. -- No doubt about it, Zimmermann is laboring tonight. He's needed 83 pitches just to get through four innings, which means he may only have one left. He's made pitches when he really needs to for the most part, though he just gave up a run in the fourth when Espinosa couldn't quite make a backhanded snag of Janish's low line drive that would've ended the inning. So it's 4-2 as we move to the fifth and the Nats face the prospect of using a lot of relievers to get through this one.
9:31 p.m. -- And this game is tied again after Heyward tattoos a 92 mph fastball from Zimmermann into the right-field bullpen, a two-run shot. Zimmermann finished out the inning, but that'll be it for him. Perhaps his least-effective start of the season: 5 IP, 8 H, 4 ER, 2 BB, 2 K, 102 pitches. It's 4-4 in the middle of the fifth.
9:37 p.m. -- Meanwhile, the Nats have only one hit since Desmond's homer in the first. They had Hudson dazed and searching for the ropes but weren't able to deliver the knockout punch. So now it's onto the sixth inning, with Tom Gorzelanny in to pitch in relief of Zimmermann (who cannot get the decision).
10:05 p.m. -- Really poor execution by the bottom of the Nats lineup in the bottom of the sixth. They had two on with nobody out after LaRoche singled and Desmond walked. But Espinosa struck out swinging at a 2-2 changeup, Suzuki lined out to center and then pinch-hitter Roger Bernadina swung at a pitch up at his eyelids for strike two and then took the next pitch for strike three. So it remains 4-4 as we move to the seventh. Ryan Mattheus now in for the Nats, Tim Hudson still pitching for the Braves.
10:28 p.m. -- Wow, another wasted opportunity for the Nats after Werth led off the seventh with a cue shot off third base for a gift double. Fredi Gonzalez had to turn to lefty Jonny Venters to face Harper in a huge spot, but Harper was asked to drop a bunt (he missed the sign on the first pitch, then barely got it down after that). So now with the go-ahead runner on third, Venters intentionally walked Zimmerman. That set the stage for Morse ... who immediately grounded into a 6-4-3 double play on the very first pitch he saw. Crushing. Onto the eighth, still 4-4.
10:43 p.m. -- Man, the Nats bullpen has been teetering on a tightrope tonight. Five walks issued in three innings, yet they have avoided giving up a run. Drew Storen somehow navigated his way through the top of the eighth. So it remains 4-4 and we are in serious crunch time now.
10:49 p.m. -- Tonight's official paid attendance: 21,298. I know it's rainy Monday night and all, but, really guys?
10:59 p.m. -- Another golden opportunity for the Nats in the bottom of the eighth: Bases loaded, one out. Davey Johnson showed faith in Tyler Moore to pinch-hit against lefty Eric O'Flaherty, but the rookie popped out on an 0-1 pitch for the second out. That left it in the hands of Werth, who got ahead 2-0, then 3-1, then fouled off a couple of fastballs, then with the crowd roaring sent a deep fly ball to left field that was ... caught at the warning track. Onto the ninth, still 4-4. Sean Burnett in to face the heart of the Braves' lineup.
11:10 p.m. -- Burnett strands two men on in the top of the ninth. Onto the bottom, with Harper, Zimmerman and Morse due up to face Chad Durbin.
11:16 p.m. -- Nope, no big rally in the ninth for the Nats as Durbin retires the side on eight pitches. So we're going extras here, still 4-4, as Tyler Clippard enters from the bullpen.
11:25 p.m. -- Clippard sets em down in order in the top of the 10th. So it's LaRoche, Desmond and Espinosa in the bottom of the inning against lefty Luis Avilan.
11:33 p.m. -- Nope. Onto the 11th. Michael Gonzalez is in to pitch, which leaves only Craig Stammen left in the pen. With Stephen Strasburg starting tomorrow, that's not a good position for the Nats to be in.
11:42 p.m. -- Man, how many times can the Nats bullpen strand runners in scoring position? They've been remarkable at it tonight, and they keep giving their lineup a chance because of it. Onto the bottom of the 11th. Avilan still in for the Braves. Suzuki, a pinch-hitter and Werth due up.
11:56 p.m. -- Steve Lombardozzi hadn't seen a live pitch since Wednesday. And comes off the bench in the bottom of the 11th to stroke a single to left. Remarkable. Werth then got ahead 3-0, fouled off six straight pitches and then sent a fly ball to deep right field that was ... caught right at the fence by Heyward. Harper then struck out with a bad-looking swing at a breaking ball and destroyed his bat in response. So it's onto the 12th, and here's Craig Stammen, the last man out of the Nats bullpen.
12:03 a.m. -- Stammen gets the job done in the top of the 12th. Now it's Zimmerman, Morse and LaRoche against Cristhian Martinez.
12:14 a.m. -- Onto the 13th! Here's the crazy thing: The Pirates and Cardinals yesterday still had SEVEN more innings to play from this point on!
12:18 a.m. -- Another scoreless inning for Stammen, who is well-suited to pitch this kind of game. Looks like Edwin Jackson is in the bullpen starting to loosen up just in case. He threw 103 pitches two days ago.
12:29 a.m. -- Wow, what a crazy finish. Espinosa goes first to third on an infield single by Suzuki. Then Chad Tracy hits a hard grounder right to Uggla, who had Espinosa DOA at the plate. Except he couldn't get the ball out of his glove. The Nats win 5-4 in 13 innings and take a 6-game lead in the NL East.
461 comments:
«Oldest ‹Older 1 – 200 of 461 Newer› Newest»Same lineup as yesterday.
Flounder said it best in Animal House: "Oh boy, is this great!"
Here's where the rubber meets the road! GYFNG!!!
Is KSuk dating Rizzo's daughter?
Does Rizzo have a daughter??
Face it. Suzuki is the #1 catcher now.
3B Chipper Jnes
_____________________
Good, Chipper without the "o"
The Braves will give it all they've got. They may even have been looking past the Dodgers to this series, and saw themselves slip another notch. Chipper is their emotional trump card. They will do everything they can not to let him down.
Our guys are ready. JZ is always ready. While the offense is young, they are tough, too. The kid is as tough as anyone else out there. They will give the Braves all they can handle.
It's for games like this that Rizzo signed Werth to go with Zim. ALR is Mr. Cool at all times. An effective mix of youth and exuberance with experience and savvy.
Bring it on.
Love this lineup. (Wish Ramos were on it.) That is all. Go NATS!!!!!!!
Laddie, put some further thoughts back on the "Harper's continuing" thread. Hope it helps, hope there is a "next time."
NCNatsie said...
pRAA, I don't see how they could screw a team that tied for its division championship in favaor of a team that finished a potentially distant second in theirs.
The thorny problem is when and where would be the game be played.
Some people are already pondering such scenarios.
!!!!!!!!
Sounds like JZ getting some love on MLB coming up.Shocked. I guess being a pitcher of the month wasn't enough. Interested to see what they say. Why is it always Amber Theoharis? She is an O's person.
Did the national media also ask about the shu - never mind - don't want to hear it if they did. :-)
I think we want Chipper with the o, Gonat, as in oh-fer. (Hey, a gal can dream.)
Go, Jordan! Go, NATS!!
Oh, and stay classy, Doc.
Was 't even mentioned. They apparently asked McCatty how Jordan had such a low era . Seems they have never heard him interviewed. Don't see the connection. Whatever.
Leaving extra early for the stadium! GYFNG! We have Hudson's number now, and we can beat him.
NatsLady
"Laddie, put some further thoughts back on the "Harper's continuing" thread. Hope it helps, hope there is a "next time."
I did go back and have copied the whole thread to a PDF file I stored in my "Documents" folder. Many thanks to both you and Z-Mantis. Anyone else who has the responsibility for assisting an older or physically impaired relative or friend should do the same.
Wonk, sorry I didn't give you credit for your answer. I just wondered if there was an actual rule, and I'm more and more becoming convinced there isn't, that Bud and the boys just hoped it wouldn't happen. Hopefully they're right.
The guys on TV (or radio? perhaps even it was Charlie and Dave) were certainly discussing it as if there were an explicit rule. Because they were phrasing it as: "and there's even a way that there could be two single game playoffs on consecutive days", and went on to describe the scenario that you were talking about.
(I see the same thing at the ESPN link cited above. I.e., the questioner presumes the answer already -- which is why, again, I'm sure there is already a rule on this. And no matter what we think of Bud -- I'm sure it a bunch of stat guys were involved in crafting the wording, and I'm sure they thought of it)
Nats Lady, thanks for all the accessibility tips. I'm taking my 90 year old mother to her first Nats game vs the Cards on the Sept 1 afternoon game, and am planning to spring for the $25 Yards parking across the street from the park, and to ask before then about access via the underground ramp to our seats (which are at the bottom of sec 135, with a bathroom just up the ramp). She can do a few steps and we'll plan to put her walker on the back wall of the ramp and hope the weather is good. Or get the ADA seats at the back of the section under cover if it's not.
peric said...
Same lineup as yesterday.
Let that be an omen for same results as yesterday. I.e, the Nats getting five runs, and, on the Braves side -- getting shut out by good pitching.
Will be leaving soon. Should be a great pitching match-up. Hope our lads have their hitting shoes on. Would love to see Bryce continue his hot streak. The more I look at this lineup the more excited I get. Werth & Harper look at lots of pitches, draw walks if they are given and set the table for our next 3. If Desmond can just get back to where he was before the injury and Danny keeps improving we really have a tough 1-7. Suzuki is struggling but even that could change. As I look though, Atlanta is just as strong. This should be a great series. Does anyone know when their rookie SS comes off the dl? He was a difference maker for them.
Go Nats!!
it's raining grasshoppers and preying mantises here in Rappahannock county. I hope it goes south from here.
For what it's worth: praying. With an A.
Maybe they're preying on Hairstons, but their appendages make it look like they're praying.
GYFNG
NatsLady and Z-Mantis -
Left some comments for you on the Giolito thread, as well.
Can we just agree to refer to it from now on as "The Stephen Strasburg SHUT-UP!!"
NatsJack said it best: "Davey in playoff mode."
Probably the most meaningful August game played in Washington since, oh, well, 1933. You guys remember that year, right?
Heading out now. I've got goosebumps already.
Fredi, you and your Barves have no idea what buzzsaw you're running into here.
GYFNG!!
Fascinating comment by Boz about Davey and Eckstein:
Davey Johnson (again) said for a year "This should be a very good offense." It's developed almost exactly as he expected.
But, and he didn't say this at the time but has acknowledged it recently, he had to change the organization's hitting "philosophy" from "let the bals travel" and hit a lot to the opposite field __which he absolutely hates and thinks is discredited and ridciulous__ into "hit the ball where it is pitched...get the bat head out...DRIVE the ball (to all fields)."
Espinosa, for one, feels like he's been released from a straight jacket. It took him a while. He and Desmond are among the Davey projects. As I've said, Eckstein is excellent and can teach whatever you want taught. But it's not his job to set organizational philosophy.
It never occurred to be before that _Eckstein_ was told a hitting philosophy to teach, rather than the other way around. But that was Boz is saying here.
Thoughts?
NatsJack in Florida said...
Davey is in playoff race mode.
August 20, 2012 4:18 PM
_________________________________
Certainly looks like the 1st game of the playoffs roster for the Nats.
Wonk, sounds like a bunch of hogwash to me. Who was setting the organization's "hitting philosophy"? Riggleman? Rizzo? Kasten? Ted Lerner? Was that philosophy followed throughout the organization? For how long? Did Acta have one too? Assuming there was such a thing, did Davey change it? When? When did he become aware of it and why didn't he stamp it out the minute he was in charge? Did he know about it before he took over? Why didn't he say something? Did Eckstein think it was a good idea? Does he have no underlying philosophy or approach, so whatever a manager says is the philosophy he will blindly teach even if he thinks its garbage?
So we're supposed to believe that players followed a hitting philosophy dictated by Riggleman or someone else, and taught by Eckstein, and then Eckstein changed on instructiions from Davey, and it took a whole season for the new philosophy to take hold. Fun yarn for Davey to spin, but I'm not buying it. Too many holes and unanswered questions.
DC Wonk, philosophies evolve over time. Having Michael Morse back is huge for this team. The fear of 400 ft HRs was generally missing and pitchers had the ability to back Nats batters into pitching outside to go oppo and taking their chances.
Now the batters and especially Werth can fit into more traditional roles while also working to each players strengths like Espi and Desi.
The stats prove out what Morse has meant to the team production.
222 -- I'd agree with you -- except that we also know that Davey is a big supporter of Eckstein. So, we have the conflicting notions that: (a) Davey changed the hitting philosophy; and (b) he supports Eckstein.
The obvious question is: why does/did he support Eckstein if he disagreed completely with Eck's approach. The only answer that makes sense is that it wasn't Eck's approach.
But what you say makes sense, too.
Which is why I'm confused.
lombardozzi should be in the lineup! he was the hottest hitter before davey sat him before the mets series...
Ghost, I think having Morse and Zim hitting in the same lineup is the answer and adding a leadoff guy like Werth is like getting a July 31st trade done.
Werth & Harper look at lots of pitches, draw walks if they are given and set the table for our next 3.
Indeed. And the stats back that up: Werth takes more pitches than anyone else. Harper is 2d on the team in walks.
Z-Mantis - agreed with the shut-up thing! I actually think it might be dying down a little. Oh - wait - who is pitching tomorrow?
Davey has been the 2nd batting coach but is the first and last word on this team. The youngsters are his private project.
pls don't take hudson lighly. i believe he has been doing very well lately.
momcd87 - this worries me, too. Desi looks like a hole in the line up right now. Hope he finds it,soon. Meanwhile one of the hottest hitters on the club sits and gathers rust.
faraz - hudson has been pitching out of his mind lately. This won't be easy. But then, sometimes it seems like the Nats have trouble with young pitchers who have just come up and then they hit the pitchers with big reps. It's odd.
Lets win another series boys.
A DC Wonk said...222 -- I'd agree with you -- except that we also know that Davey is a big supporter of Eckstein. So, we have the conflicting notions that: (a) Davey changed the hitting philosophy; and (b) he supports Eckstein.
The obvious question is: why does/did he support Eckstein if he disagreed completely with Eck's approach. The only answer that makes sense is that it wasn't Eck's approach.
Um, another answer that makes sense might be along the lines that these guys are human beings, not computers, and when presented with unexpected data, they change their minds and adapt to the new situation, rather than going to ABEND (ABnormal END - i.e., program crash to you non-IT types).
Davey knows what he's doing. Lombo did his job as a super sub filling in when Desi was out.
And Davey got Lombardozzi the 300+ at bats that he promised the FO he would ensure he received this season as the supersub.
So, everyone except perhaps for Lombo is happy. Clearly Lombo won't be unhappy playing for a winning team.
It never occurred to be before that _Eckstein_ was told a hitting philosophy to teach, rather than the other way around. But that was Boz is saying here.
Davey said the same thing during a live interview and you can view it via the MASN web site.
Thoughts? Smart ball, small mind,
Giggleman's Island. Glad its back in Florida in Blue Wahoo land.
Shall I repost the verse I made for it that created such a fuss?
GYFNG!
Let's take this game tonight!
(ABnormal END - i.e., program crash to you non-IT types)
Still prefer old-school core dump.
And Guru meditation was always a favorite of mine.
Hudson is a very good pitcher, and he's been pitching well lately. For me, this is the house money game. If we lose, we have Stras tomorrow and the lefty Det on Wednesday so can still win the series. If we lose, we will demoralize the Braves by beating their ace.
peric - how long will everyone stay happy if Desi doesn't start hitting and Lombo is riding the pine? Will Lombo really be the only unhappy person? ( By the way, he doesn't seem like a whiner at all).I thought winning was supposed to come first at this point of the season. Desi was our mvp before the DL stint. Can he do the job today? Don't get me wrong - I love the guy and have for a long time, but can you rehab in the line up during a pennant race? I hope he gets that first hit out of the way in his first ab - facing Hudson, no less. How many ab's can it go, though? If the rest of the line up can carry him until he finds his stroke, then ok. Seems like there might be a little tick tock tick tock on this one. Cheering for the guy for his sake and for the sake of the entire team. Hope it happens very soon.
NatsJack in Florida said...
Hey Gonat....I owe you.
August 20, 2012 5:32 PM
______________________________
Good minds think alike!
The boys won't be taking Hudson lightly, they know what he is capable of.
I just want to crush the Braves tonight. Tired of their fans (not the team) taking the Nats lightly and saying we will crash because we don't know how to win. I then remind them of last September and oh only winning 1 series in say 15 years. Sorry, Braves fans are almost as bad as Philly fans.
Swami, deep breathes buddy. This is a TEAM. Everyone is pulling for each other. I am sure Davey will get Lombo at bats. He just needs to take some time to get Desi going. He can afford to do that with Werth/Morse/Espi/RZ hitting. Plus Jordan and Stras can hit.
They are all happy to be playing for a winning team (you know we have one here in DC!!!!!)
Braves Spring Training Ballpark is named "Champion Stadium"....15 playoff seasons but they haven't earned the S yet...At least they're ahead of the Buffalo Bills...
To me the term "organizational philosophy" would indicate a broader focus, as in throughout the MLB team and its affiliates vs. referring to the MLB team only. But that's spoken as an editorial type rather than as a journalist, an FO type, or a mind reader type. The person who would know what Boz is saying is probably Boz. The rest of us can only guess. :-)
A DC Wonk said...
But it's not his job to set organizational philosophy.
It never occurred to be before that _Eckstein_ was told a hitting philosophy to teach, rather than the other way around. But that was Boz is saying here.
Thoughts?
Swift, good meeting you Saturday night! The Legion of BOOM!
Are you on Twitter
MLB hitting coaches usually don't have the role of setting the "Organizational Philosophy"...if there even is one, that's the role of player development guys and upper management....
At any rate, it's not like Eck showed up with a 700 page playbook like an NFL OC...
Z-Mantis - agreed with the shut-up thing! I actually think it might be dying down a little. Oh - wait - who is pitching tomorrow?
I think it's Miss Universe.
You too Gonat!...I haven't gotten on Twitter yet...time to go BOOM tonight!
Charlie Slowes bringin' it on 106.7. Nice job!
Charlie Slowes has the Legion of ZOOM
Can't stand that chop thing but are we talking about a subset of Braves fans, i.e., Braves fans on the Twittah? Because I would submit that they represent only a segment of Braves fans. I'm sure that there are some perfectly nice Braves fans (well, until they start doing that chop thing). Just a thought. Also, maybe they're talking smack because they're scared of the Nats. That's kinda cool, if so. :-)
MicheleS said...
The boys won't be taking Hudson lightly, they know what he is capable of.
I just want to crush the Braves tonight. Tired of their fans (not the team) taking the Nats lightly and saying we will crash because we don't know how to win. I then remind them of last September and oh only winning 1 series in say 15 years. Sorry, Braves fans are almost as bad as Philly fans.
August 20, 2012 6:09 PM
222, Eck is not the boss when it comes to hitting philosophy, and never has been. He's like a teacher in a school, he operates under the principal's auspices not as a freelancer. The organization (FO, manager, player development guys) determines the hitting policy and Eck is capable of teaching whatever way they want. Davey has said as much. It's probably the case that before Davey was manager the org's policy was either incoherent or inconsistent. Riggleman was known to brag about how he didn't know nothin' 'bout pitching and norhin' 'bout hitting. He clearly had no input into hitting philosophy, so Eck was probably taking direction from many sources and trying to sort it all out. Davey is not like that. He has taken charge and put his own stamp on it. But it's not an overnight process. Takes a while to filter down to the play on the field.
In other news, over the new few days, I dearly hope to see lots of Braves players having the type of demeanor evidenced by Mr. Freddie Freeman in the pic topping the thread headlined "Nats have a chance to bury the Braves." :-)
Scooter, I was trying to be funny with the preying mantis
sigh
Also, maybe a veteran Nats player should give a pregame speech quoting "Major League" as Chippah did before the A-S game. :-)
Just rained here (in Burke) but not for very long. Hope for the same at the park.
I have got to get me some of these!!!
Here is the link to the Dr James Andrews interview on SVP today
SVP Show
Those are teh awesomez, sec3, er, Mr. Mantis. The hedgehog is awfully cute, too.
What did Charlie say? Can you give me a recap?
For those not in the area, the Nats-Braves is the free game on MLB.tv.
Michele, most of what we already know, very nicely encapsulated. In particular, that if Rizzo reversed course at this point it would put the lie to his whole career as a scout and general manager. Mentioned Giolito.
Agreed that he was surprised at the amount of hate and venom spewed by outsiders at the Nats, said the fans and media here know what is being built.
Explained about the "fallback plan" (Lannan, etc.); reminded everyone that in the spring we had more starters than we knew what to do with (before injury to CMW) and Rizzo planned all along for the shutdown by having "reserves."
Then he went on about Gio and especially JZ... I assume a link will be up soon.
Can you put the Clip link up also? I'm at work, my ability to hunt around is limited.
Thanks NatsLady. Charlie is sooo good!
4.99 pounds (British). Wonder how much the shipping is? Those things are really cool, Z.
Natslady.
http://washington.cbslocal.com/audio/
Look for the Audio on Holden and Danny show for today. It wouldn't do a direct link.
We are rooting for the Fillies, right. So our record will continue to outpace the Reds'?
"Why is it always Amber Theoharis? She is an O's person."
This is pure conjecture on my part, but I wouldn't be surprised if there's a Baltimore Greek community connection: Angelos/Theoharis.
Okay.. we need to look out for Dan Kolko of MASN..
Dan Kolko@masnKolko
Here you go... RT @NFA_Brian: @masnKolko $5 if you put a 'kick me' sign on Mark http://pic.twitter.com/djphn04Q
He just put a "Kick Me Sign on Mark"
LOOK OUT MARK!!!
Rain delay- more suspense.
The Z-Mantis! said...I have got to get me some of these!!!
Not so impressive when you actually put it on, IMHO.
Okay, I have a Nats jacket (old, pre-curly-W logo), a few t shirts from giveaways. Cunegonde has an old-style jersey with her last name stitched on the back over the number 7 (she liked Pudge), and we both have a blue alternate home jersey (with the stars and stripes curly W).
But we don't have a single red jersey between us, and since we've already put down our $$$ for playoff tix, we need to step up. Nats Park has to be a sea of red in October.
By 7pm, rain ended in Fairfax. Fwiw...
NatsLady said...Agreed that he was surprised at the amount of hate and venom spewed by outsiders at the Nats, said the fans and media here know what is being built.
Rizzo has to know that the real Nats fans totally understand and agree with the shutdown.
If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you...
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And - which is more - you'll be a Man, my son!
Candide, I stepped up and bought a Harper/Blue Stars and Stripes Jersey. I plan on wearing it in St Louis at the end of September, since they all wear red. I have the Werth/Espinosa Jerseys for home games
MicheleS said...I just want to crush the Braves tonight.
Guy at my gym has tix. Told me he hopes it'll be a good game.
I told him I hope it's a lousy game, where the Nats jump out to an 8-0 lead in the first inning, then slowly pull away.
peric - how long will everyone stay happy if Desi doesn't start hitting and Lombo is riding the pine? Will Lombo really be the only unhappy person? ( By the way, he doesn't seem like a whiner at all).I thought winning was supposed to come first at this point of the season. Desi was our mvp before the DL stint. Can he do the job today?
It isn't as if Desmond is Chipper Jones been there done that like Jayson Werth. Like Lombo he is still developing and just now coming into his own before the injury. Now he's back.
Lombo is supposed to be somewhat unhappy ... just like Tyler Moore ... a guy geared up to be a starter is never happy on the bench. And both of those players have always started. But neither player is a "whiner". They are both hard workers and will hopefully keep pushing the envelope.
Why, that whippersnapper! Humph! :-)
MicheleS said...
Okay.. we need to look out for Dan Kolko of MASN..
Dan Kolko@masnKolko
Here you go... RT @NFA_Brian: @masnKolko $5 if you put a 'kick me' sign on Mark http://pic.twitter.com/djphn04Q
He just put a "Kick Me Sign on Mark"
LOOK OUT MARK!!!
August 20, 2012 6:48 PM
Absolutely - I don't think I have ever known a team that is so full of unselfish players. Only point I was trying to make is that if you are in a pennant race, how long can you wait for someone to rehab in the games? And also - sitting a hot hitter for a long time just seems like a waste of some people on bases that could be potential runs. I mean, loyalty is one thing, but it's not a charity out there when it's almost September.
Candide, always liked that poem, though not its author. Had to memorize it when I was in school.
Anybody else ever have to memorize "Casey at the Bat"? Now there's a poem!
At our elementary you had to memorize states and capitals and write them over and over if you misbehaved. My younger bro is a whiz at them, fwiw. :-)
Speaking of family and totally OT, just as my first paragraph was, RIP Phyllis Diller. One of my mom's faves and a gal with a great, booming laugh, which my mom had as well. Perhaps they're entertaining each other somewhere now. I can almost hear them.
Swami,
About Lombo
Haha swami..wasn't there an alternate ending version? The 3rd strike to Casey was actually a wild pitch that got past the catcher, allowing Flynn and Blake to score and tie the game?
Lol!!!!!
Michele- thanks for the link. I have become quite attached to our awesome rookies. Not surprised they are working so hard . I know Desi is "the guy" but have been concerned with the zero rehab starts and having to get timing back at this point of the season. Go Desi! But how lucky have we been with this rookie class???
OMG. NO PICTURE ON THE TV? I just saw them on MLB Network!
So the game is starting but we can't watch it??????
Good ABs from Prado and Heyward and the Braves are up 1-0...
I'm watching it on MASN HD. Not liking what I'm seeing, but I'm watching.
MASN popped back in.. yuk.
I am expressing a lot of bad words right now.
A Gift!!
Good damage control, only 1-0
So that wasn't as bad as it looked at the start. Nice hoze, Zuki!
Oh and Gio called Kurt.. Zuki, so can we stop with the other names.
Pitch to Heyward was supposed to be down and in. Was outside middle.
They had Prado in a 2 strike count working him outside and then Suzuki calls an inside fastball.
Not sure about the setup.
Way to go lead off man
Werth is excited. Nice!
Important to get to Hudson early...He usually gets tougher
Just like that
WOW.. got to love Werth! Good for Harper!
Suck on THAT, Braves!
This has definitely been a game of inches. Every hit has been within inches either way.
Wow, no E5 there on Werth's ball? Not even single and an error?
Here we go....
Braves radio just said "Now, Hudson gets Morse, who's been hot...but who on the Nationals isn't"...
Yeah, I thought Werth's hit was catchable.
wow I like that line, Swift.
That hit Hudson's pitching hand...
Hudson needs to talk with Crash Davis; "When you hit a guy, don't hit him with your pitching hand. Cripes, I can't be giving you all these free lessons..."
Haha.."it's an egg, hold it like an egg"
I'm not sure Hudson saw that ball very well; it almost looked like he got his hand on it accidentally, not trying to catch it. But it does seem every time the Nats hit a ball off the pitcher, it goes straight to a fielder.
baseballswami said...
Absolutely - I don't think I have ever known a team that is so full of unselfish players. Only point I was trying to make is that if you are in a pennant race, how long can you wait for someone to rehab in the games? And also - sitting a hot hitter for a long time just seems like a waste of some people on bases that could be potential runs. I mean, loyalty is one thing, but it's not a charity out there when it's almost September.
August 20, 2012 7:20 PM
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Desi's the starter. Lombo's the utility guy. They both know this. The whole team knows this. Wanna kill the Chemistry? Start messing with what everybody "knows"... It's not how Davey plays.... Haven't you been watching?
NatsNut, do yourself a favor and switch to radio for your audio..both Braves and Nats radio are great...Ray Knight?? Ugh
Professional AB by ALR
Ray's excited. He'll leave Bob out there on his own after about the fifth inning, when he gets tired.
Ray-ray hates the silence-:-)
OH YEAHHHHHHHH DOnt Bench Him
YEAH DESI!!!!
Ian Desmond is DEADLY with 2 outs and man on 3rd!
Swami.. Umm Desi is back!
BOOM!
Gee, looks kinda rusty still. Better play the rookie.
Please refer to my 7:14 post!
Would that ball have been out in Syracuse?
Great start..long way to go. Hudson has a way of settling down and being tough after a bad 1st, a la EJax
That ball would have been out in the Grand Canyon.
And in game tweets from FP..
F.P. Santangelo@FightinHydrant
I think that's 3 straight Hudson starts v the Nats that they've scored 4 in the first! Wow! #Nats
And **THAT's** why Davey played Desi all weekend. Sure, it was re-hab. But it was re-hab in a hurry, so that he'd be ready for the Braves. (And Davey probably also guestimated that against the Mets he could afford going 0-for-11 -- if it helped him get ready for the Braves).
Swift, yes, and in Harrisburg!
That was an exclamation point on that inning! Desi goes BOOM!
The Legion of BOOM
GYFNG!!
Happy for Desi, Happy for Jordan - happy for the team.
Only point I was trying to make is that if you are in a pennant race, how long can you wait for someone to rehab in the games?
Well, drats, I didn't get to answer this before the HR, but (I promise!) I _would_ have answered:
Given how solid Desi has been all year, and the end of last year, I'm sure it won't take long, and all will be fine.
LOL...That would have been in the river in Harrisburg! BOOM
Swami, just cry uncle on Desi vs Lombo. It will save you (I had to on Ben Sheets)
GYFNG!!
Jordan is having some control issues. Balls left up, tailing fastballs. Probabky becuase of the rain delay, but he needs to buckle down.
It was never Desi vs Lombo. It was Desi doing no rehab starts. Trust me - no one is happier about Desi hitting than I am.
SEE!!!!
People, that is how a champion team answers!
It was never Desi vs Lombo. It was Desi doing no rehab starts. Trust me - no one is happier about Desi hitting than I am.
I get it. My point only was, Davey was probably thinking: "Hey -- it's against the Mets -- let's do the rehab up here, hopefully speed up the process, and see if he's ready for the Braves"
It was a fair question, Desi was 0-11 and Lombo had been hot...another example of "In Davey we Trust"...
Question - is Jordan on his regular five days or more? Seems like he is always too strong on extra rest and doesn't pitch well. Hope he settles down. 45 pitches should make him tired enough for the ball to sink. We always think of him as being so stoic, but he has not been in this spot before - maybe with the rain delay he is a little amped up. So he is human after all.
Suzuki's throw to catch Heyward stealing should just be future referred to as the "bullet"
Swami, we believe you. And it is just like Davey to do what Wonk describes.
Our lead off man won't swing unless you throw him a strike!!
Can Harper homer again?
Doc said...
Is KSuk dating Rizzo's daughter?
1. Don't use bad names against our Natsies.
2. He's here as a catcher, not a hitter. That was a pretty darn good play throw out Heyward (and help end that inning).
BTW -- what the heck was Heyward thinking? (Where was he going? ;-) Trying to steal third, with a lefty up and JZ stuggling?
In the irony department -- after all the talk about how Werth and Harper see so many pitches, and take so many walks . . . in the bottom of the first they tied the game, on a double and a single, in the first four pitches of the game.
Wonk, must be the new approach.
Nice inning for JZimm. Now, let's bury them!
Natsjack, Zimnn looks to be finding his control now. Last 3 pitches looked to be to Zuki's glove.
doesn't hudson have good record against RZ or something?
I'm not saying he has a lot of power, but that was a sac bunt by Morse.
"Zimmerman was here before Scot Boras built the team"--- Don Sutton
Good one...
NatsNut said...Am I allowed to say woo hoo before the end of the game?
I was sorely tempted. I suspect as long as you don't add "(copyright 2012 MicheleS)" after it, you should be okay, but you should check first as a courtesy...
I dare Hudson to throw Desi a first pitch fastball...
Lol...Well played Hudson...Jerk
Um.. NatsNut.. the WH word should be used sparingly.. Like wins or the birth of a new Nats fan.. just sayin, don't want to diffuse it's overall power.
So maybe we can come up with a new in game scream for good stuff?
and NatsNut.. I do like when you add the FREAKIN to the WH word.. reminds me of McCatty and the Pretty Freakin Bueno..
Ump blew that call on Freeman. Well within the K Zone
Agreed Natsjack.
Also, has Uggla lost weight, or has his uni not yet been through the dryer on the "Poncharello" setting?
I can't stand Uggla.
Rain Delay Question;
Yesteraday Gio Had control problems. Davey mentioned that he had warmed up at 12:30 and again at 3 and felt that impacted him.
Is Jordan having the same problem with the rain delay? Would he have warmedup early and sat there with the delay?
OY.. those walks always come back to bite you.
2 starts ago Danny had 2 errors. Has to make that play and can't believe that is a single.
Why would you pitch to a #8 hitter with 2 outs and runners on 2nd and 3rd. I don't get it. Janish sucks, but he is still a better hitter than Hudson.
MicheleS said...
OY.. those walks always come back to bite you.
August 20, 2012 9:10 PM
___________________________
Lead-off walks do. That was with 1 out and keep in mind he threw that fastball clearly that was a strike that was called a ball.
Fear and Ignorance said...
Why would you pitch to a #8 hitter with 2 outs and runners on 2nd and 3rd. I don't get it. Janish sucks, but he is still a better hitter than Hudson.
August 20, 2012 9:12 PM
_______________________________
Come on. That is a play Danny has to make. End of story.
OK, Jordan gave up his two. Time for him to go seven, for the Nats bats to remind Timmy of his swollen non-glove comebacker-catching hand, and our pen to shut the Barves down.
GYFNG!!! (Isn't that already our in-game chant?)
Gonat at 9:14, I'm with you on that. Espi has to make that. That needs a scoring change.
Timmy fears Jordan's power!
I see the official scorer didn't learn his lesson. That was a much easier play than Morse's hit that turned into an error. Janish should have been on, on an error. J Zim needs to get his agent to complain that is unearned run with the error.
JZim same problem as Gio yesterday, way too many pitches per inning. Wish these guys could cut the number down, as our bullpen is eay overused.
If he is in control, Davey may let him go longer.
I had the same question as F&I.
One reason I could think of is that wanting to start next inning with an out. Not sure if it makes sense, but Janish is not exactly league average hitter so you expect him to make an out and then next inning starts with the pitcher hitting so that provides greater likelihood of starting an inning on a right foot.
Anyways, glad JZ decided to trust his stuff and went with it. Only if Danny could make that play. Still leading 4-2.
That's the type of defense you expect from the Nats. Way to go Jayson.
What if Janish ends up with a 57 game hitting streak?
Time for a steady diet of low in the zone. Nats need a DP here.
So much for low in the zone. Horrible pitch.
I'm hoping he gets through five tied, at this point.
Was that not where Zuki was set up? Or did I miss something? In any case, Zimnn is probably done after this inning. Would be nice if we could get him the win.
I don't understand why they aren't pounding the outside?
oh man!
They need to change that chain-link fence wall before somebody gets badly hurt.
ehay2k said...
Was that not where Zuki was set up? Or did I miss something? In any case, Zimnn is probably done after this inning. Would be nice if we could get him the win.
August 20, 2012 9:27 PM
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Set in a little more. Like I said where has the strategy been to work them outside.
Lettin them back in. Not good.
Our hitters better get back on the stick. 4 in the first inning and 1 since. Desi's second at bat could have beem a big one had it been a few few feet to the left, but it wasn;'t. So time to concentrate again.
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