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US Presswire photo Ross Detwiler gave up five runs (four earned) in only 4 2/3 innings. |
Hitting lowlight: Make no bones about it, Harper is in a prolonged slump at the plate. Though he was credited with a single in his first at-bat today, the play easily could have been scored an error on shortstop John McDonald. (Plus, Harper immediately was picked off first base.) He's now hitting .249 for the season, the lowest his batting average has stood since May 20. Davey Johnson has sat the rookie twice during this road trip, and it wouldn't be shocking if he gave Harper another day off during this week's series in San Francisco (perhaps Tuesday against left-hander Madison Bumgarner).
Pitching lowlight: Detwiler's numbers -- three hits allowed in 4 2/3 innings -- didn't look awful, but this was by no means a quality start. The left-hander was done in by a lack of command, leading to a walk and two hit batters. And all three of those batters wound up scoring, adding to the significance of Detwiler's wildness. He wasn't helped by his defense, either, especially in the second inning when Zimmerman and Suzuki each committed throwing errors that led to another run. But mostly, Detwiler just wasn't sharp this afternoon. Which pretty much described the Nationals' overall performance in this game.
Key stat: Michael Morse's seventh-inning single would have given the outfielder a 21-game hitting streak (second-longest in Nationals history) ... but the Phillies' appeal of Morse's Aug. 2 base hit reduced this current streak to only 10 games.
Up next: A marquee matchup opens in San Francisco tomorrow night when the Nationals face the Giants. Gio Gonzalez and Ryan Vogelsong meet in the opener at 10:15 p.m., with Jordan Zimmermann facing Madison Bumgarner on Tuesday and Stephen Strasburg taking on Tim Lincecum in Wednesday's finale.
47 comments:
no problem at all. I would still like to see Suzuki throw some one out, Ryan had a tough day, umpire needs to move his ass out of the way, you name it, just one of those days. Det got rattled I think by the errors. still 6-1 is awesome!
Seriously- they always make a game of it. The B team goes in, doesn't matter. I love that about the Nats.
Go Mets!
I hope Morse takes his "current" streak to over 30 games and make Torre, Hamel and the Phillies look like the clowns that they are.
Shame Stammen couldn't put up zeroes today, but still a nice rally attempt by the offense.
Nats were in it till the end, all one can ask
What if Morse gets to 56 games.... holy you know what! that would be interesting if MLB would re consider
The Shark struck out to end the game, but we're still going to keep him on top. 52-48 now. Keep voting.
Instant doom and gloom analysis:
Harper can't hit or run the bases, send him down.
Suzuki deserves an offensive nickname because he has had almost a week to learn the staff, and look how poorly Det did today. Plus he has no arm as the lone errant throw he has made clearly demonstrates.
Zimm cannot throw unless under pressure. Which means he will blow a playoff series for the Nats because he can't handle pressure.
Pitching staff is not set for next year, so we are doomed this year in the playoffs which we will be lucky to make as a wild card given how poorly we've played.
Everyone on this fan site is just a fan and no one is knowledgeable about baseball as WE are, as evidenced by how our dire early-season predictions of team and individual performances have borne out in 44 games already. 44 games!! See how we are so much smarter than all of you, Rizzo, Davey, and Nostradamus too?!?
We said before the game that we'd lose, and we are here at the end to remind you that this time we were right!
OK, I went to the ESPN site and voted (ahem*adozenorsotimes*).
Keep at it, that's what winners do.
Oh well, we lost this one. Can't win them all. Nats are still doing great on this road trip, and I really enjoying watching them play. Here's to sweeping the Giants. Go Nats!!!
Section 222, thanks for the link. I just put in a vote for the Shark.
Re: Harper. It's been a long and emotional grind for him, and I'm sure it doesn't help to see his buddy and rival Trout putting up monster numbers in the AL, but I'm confident the kid will catch his second wind when the stakes get higher. I commend him for handling it as maturely as he has.
Mark, today Stammen's first inning pitched was as much a pitching lowlight as Det's pitching. Hey, we're 6-1 on the road trip and have played pretty good baseball. I also am seeing a potentially very important bench player that can be a much needed pinch runner in Izturis. Bryce has had a rough month at the plate,but overall is looking better and better in the OF, as long as he thinks before making I'll advised throws. Suzuki still looks like he's pressing. I hope he turns out to be the guy that we heard was so good defensively.
Hey! We still have the best record in baseball.
Davey says Det was sick today, even before the first pitch.
I commend him too rogieshan, although I sure hope he's not affected by Trout's numbers in L.A. Now, if Trout gets back on top of the Shark again in the web gem vote, that's another story. Vote everyone, vote."
I also am seeing a potentially very important bench player that can be a much needed pinch runner in Izturis.
He might be gone September 1st with Desmond's return. Its not unusual for GM's to use such players as placeholders on the 40-man roster. But, then there is Chien-Ming Wang. I can see them adding Christian Garcia because he has been doing extremely well since coming over from the Yankees and converting to relief and his age which is now 27 soon to be 28. They are probably going to feel as if they need to find out about him now and the way the bullpen has been going he seems like he would be used.
ehay2k - that was pretty funny - an accurate representation of the doom and gloom faction - but funny. Re: Harper -correct me if I am wrong, and I am sure that you will - didn't Trout come up once last season and stink, then go back down , then come up again in September? I hate the whole comparing apples and oranges thing. Their situations and ages are just not the same. I love Bryce and I wish he was enjoying being in the big leagues a little more. He and Detweiler really need some love and cookies.
Harper is likely tired mentally ... he needs more than a day here or there off before the playoffs. Normally one would figure for some 15-day DL time. But, Davey seems to think putting him out there is best .. but if his current scheme doesn't work?
Jay Bruce just got 2 days off and came back today with a bang.
We got the Shark up 55-45 by my count.
They must've just counted the Chicago votes.
Way to go, Rahm!
What if Morse gets to 56 games.... holy you know what! that would be interesting if MLB would re consider
If that becomes a possibility you can be certain that both Rizzo and Johnson will become personally involved not to mention the Lerners. I suspect Mr. Torri would be in for some excruciating heat.
William Ladson @washingnats
Look for the #Nats to call up Christian Garcia to the big leagues by September callups. He is expected to help the bullpen. #MLB
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Do the Nats have an opening on the 40 man?
I love that Davey said in an MLB interview, "We know who we are" or something close to that effect, even though it came on the heels of playing 500 talk...
Personally I hope we all quit playing the numbers game and saying stuff like if we go 500 the rest of the way we still end up at 95 or however many wins. Bad direction of energy, bad focus, close to bad karma--to say it. Just keep trying to excel out there every day picking up as many jacks as possible with each bounce. There will be no sliding, no half measures, with the Braves on our tail. It feels like a 1930s car chase complete with thompsons. Strap in for a great rest of the ride.
Do the Nats have an opening on the 40 man?
No, but by then Desmond should be ready. That means its either Cesar Iszturis or Chien-Ming Wang getting DFA. I'm not sure either will get picked up ... but I guess you never know. They could put Wang on the 60-day but I'm not sure there's any sense to that.
Dan Kolko: The Nats are now down to 27 games above .500. Trade everyone.
Looks like someone else is poking at your legion of doom Swift.
I am not playing any numbers game ... I am still more interested in seeing the prospects and very recent prospects develop in the majors. That plus the record is waaaaaaaay more than anyone should expect.
Anything else they accomplish is just amazing frosting for the cake.
While you are at it, please vote the Nats #1 in the Power Rankings!
http://espn.go.com/sportsnation/rank/_/listId/1594/versionId/20
Is Wang back on the 15 day DL? I agree on not looking too far forward. I love the way the Nats seems to take each at bat, each inning, each game. I am constantly amazed by how well they have handled the pressure of being in first place for such a long time. September call ups are 19 days away. I saw enough of Corey Brown to hope we see him again. This is something I feel we can talk about without offending the baseball gods. So - who else will we see? I see that Detweiler was sick today but doesn't want to use it as an excuse. That's noble, but between that and a new catcher, I think we can at least say that he wasn't going to be at his best.
Look for the #Nats to call up Christian Garcia to the big leagues by September callups. He is expected to help the bullpen. #MLB
And I think a few of us here are way ahead of the Rocket starting with Natsjack who touted the guy from when he first saw him in Florida probably still rehabbing back from Tommy Johns.
peric said...
Do the Nats have an opening on the 40 man?
No, but by then Desmond should be ready. That means its either Cesar Iszturis or Chien-Ming Wang getting DFA. I'm not sure either will get picked up ... but I guess you never know. They could put Wang on the 60-day but I'm not sure there's any sense to that.
August 12, 2012 8:01 PM
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That's not right as Desi is on the 15 day DL and if they don't activate him until Sept 1st as expected, no roster move needs to be made.
If Christian Garcia gets moved to the 40 man, someone needs to be removed or moved to the 60 day DL.
So - who else will we see?
Ladson verifies Christian Garcia ... he may end up replacing Henry and he will be sorely needed ... they could probably use him now if they wanted to go back to the eight man bullpen. They still could return Tyler Moore to Syracuse until September 1st. But someone would have to come off of the 40-man. As of today the best two options are CM Wang and Mark DeRosa.
Ryan Perry likely will be brought back. His starts have been pretty eye opening in Harrisburg. You can probably expect Lannan and Maya.
Corey Brown, Eury Perez, and Sandy Leon seem like sure bets. And if Anthony Rendon continues to play well and rake as he has he seems a likely as they get him ready to go the Arizona Fall League.
So - who else will we see?
And I think they'll bring back Henry Rodriguez. But he'll be on a short leash.
The Nats lost a game today and the NI posters are calmly chatting about September call ups and roster moves. I guess we are finally learning to take things in stride. It sure would be nice if the Mets could win tonight, though.
Mets struck first.
I guess we are finally learning to take things in stride.
I'm from the Legion of Patience but only with the young players and recent former prospects. I get impatient when the future is completely ignored and in fact disregarded, completely disrespected as in Riggleman, Jim: "We have to respect the veterans and respect the game" "I have to get Willy [Harris] going" "If I don't play my [washed up, over-the-hill veterans I'll lose them".
A clear message was sent, at least to me, when a clear Riggleman favorite was DFA'ed for lack of offensive performance at age 30+ and that was Rick Ankiel. Riggleman would have not, in a million years, DFA'ed Ankiel.
baseballswami, who would have thought the team would win every game the rest of the season?
It wasn't one of those excruciating losses.
Am I disappointed? Yes. This was a big test for Detwiler. Would have been real nice to see Det make 2 great back to back starts on regular rest.
I thought it might be excruciating when we were getting no hit through five ( I know, Harper - it was an error). But then the bats started and they ran out of outs before they could catch all the way up. Morse and Moore both just missed HR's, though. I also wish Det was more consistent.The early mis-haps didn't help. When he is on, he is ridiculous. But then, even Stras has trouble being consistent from start to start. I often curse the folks who mis-handled Det early in his career. His development is behind the curve. This season should be good for him. And so for us in seasons to come.
Freddie Freeman is a f----.
You finish the alliteration.
Don't be complacent. If you're still watching baseball, keep voting for the Shark. The main page is showing Roger up 55-54, but if you click through to the map, it shows about 100 more votes in and it's back to 50-50. Time to put this one to bed for the Shark folks. (Either of them will probably lose tomorrow anyway...)
Boy, the ESPN announcers are obnoxious.
Blue-collar ballplayers who know what do to when they come to the park, every play... sheesh.
Curt Schilling on the bandwagon!
Just did my civic duty, sec 222.
Missed the game today, but sounds like it wasn't a Nats classic. Will also be taping on Monday and Tuesday, due to the late starts. I think my boss will let me cut out early to watch on Wednesday afternoon, though. She's kinda awesome that way. :-)
On another Nats note, we were at the Montgomery County Fair this afternoon and evening after having cat-duty this a.m. Saw lots and lots of Nats gear, and even caught a "Go, Nats" or two (hubby and I were both sporting Nats caps). We always see some Nats gear at that fair but never this much. The bandwagon is boarding now, folks. Feel free to step on and find a seat. Not the ones near the front doors, though, as those are reserved for the "old school, prestigious" fans. :-)
This has to tick off the Braves fanbase watching their team on ESPN and getting all this airtime talking about the Nats.
The world has changed.
Saw on twitter from the Beats that Det is sick with a sinus infection and refused to use that as an excuse. He said he just left the pitches up in the zone.
We lost one, it was bound to happen.
GO METS (at least for tonight)
Harper is in a big slump and needs to go back to the plan when he first arrived. He was taking the outside pitch with authority to left field. He doesn't seem to be doing that now. What ever happened to oppo boppo?
Peric,
Go back to sleep Cliff. You are on arrogant SOB. Who the hell cares what you think. You are usually so far off base. Where do you get your facts about the prospects? Answer: From the internet.
You have never even seen 99% of the "Prospects" (AAAA players) that you are so enamored with.
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