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US Presswire photo Edwin Jackson struck out 11 but was victimized by Ike Davis' two-run homer. |
Hitting lowlight: They really didn't have any legitimate scoring opportunities all night, never advancing a runner to third base. But if the Nationals lineup want to look back at one moment when they might have gotten something going, they could point to the bottom of the sixth of what was still a scoreless game. Danny Espinosa led off with a little dribbler down the third-base line for an infield single. Ryan Zimmerman tagged a ball to center field, but it was tracked down by Andres Torres. Michael Morse then struck out looking for the second straight at-bat, and Adam LaRoche was robbed of a hit (maybe extra bases) by Davis, who made a nice scoop at first base. Perhaps the credit should go to Niese and the Mets, but that was a potentially wasted opportunity for the Nationals on a night in which they didn't have many to begin with.
Pitching highlight: Under normal circumstances, you'd think seven innings of two-hit, 11-strikeout ball would be good enough to earn a win. Not on this night for Jackson. The right-hander was absolutely dominant for six innings, giving up only Mike Baxter's early triple without issuing a walk. But with his teammates unable to provide any run support, Jackson entered the seventh with no margin for error. Unfortunately, he walked David Wright to open the inning, then served up a two-run homer to Davis on the very next pitch. A brilliant start by Jackson went for naught.
Key stat: A sellout crowd of 42,662 (second-largest in Nationals Park history) paid to watch pennant race baseball in the District at the same time the local NFL team was playing an exhibition game.
Up next: The series concludes with Sunday's 1:35 p.m. game at Nationals Park. Left-hander Gio Gonzalez will be seeking his league-leading 16th victory against right-hander Jeremy Hefner.
30 comments:
Zim had the only solid hit all night for Nats and the RF makes a great play. On of those nights, feel bad for Ejac, he was brilliant as Mark said. Morse did not see the ball at all tonight and Adam looked tired.
Lombo could have given us a spark tonight
top of 9th... 6-1 Dodgers.. Braves had the bases loaded in 8th
Great pitching beat great pitching. Going to lose one now and then. No disgrace. Get 'em tomorrow. Series victory heading into the Barves series.
Again- strange night. It felt like we had a chance very early, didn't do it. They score in the space of about five minutes. Ejax and Mattheus both looked really good. I wish Desi had gone on a rehab assignment. Lombo was hot, there was no rush. A shut out at home. ugh.
Yuck, but it happens. Get em Sunday
Well, at least the Dodgers won. :-)
swami... your on the same page with me... its hard to be critical of Davey, but, Lombo would have served us better tonight.
6-2 natsfan1a!
Too bad for Ejax, but thank you Dodgers!
I was clicking over to the LA-ATL game on MLB Network. after the Nats game ended. Seemed like every time I clicked over, a Dodgers reliever walked a batter. But all's well that ends well. :-)
At least we know Ejax is ready to roll the rest of the way.... that is a huge positive!!!
I missed the early innings, but Jackson looked great in what I did see.
natsfan1a Braves had bases loaded in 8th... I was thinking 6-6, here we go again, lol
42,000 plus tonight, I bet Danny Synder is fuming, lol
Me, too, Mick. I turned over during that inning as well. :-)
Going to try to get some sleep now as I have some things to do in the morning before heading to the ballpark. Good night!
Er, me, too, on here we go again, not on fuming like Snyder, whoever that is. ;-)
Natsfan1A, Good night and good luck... as the great Edward R. Murrow use to say
I think i get it now, lolololo
Well Poooo! Let's win the series tomorrow. Still 4 over the Braves.
Let's get 'em tomorrow.
Something to feel good about: Danny Rosenbaum had a great outing. He threw seven scoreless innings for the win and gave up just one walk. Hope he finds the magic again.
Highlight of my evening was hanging with NatsJack and Swift Eagle and the other NIs.
At least the Braves lost.
Good to hear about Rosenbaum. (Also good to watch/listen to the game on a tablet device out on a balcony, feeling the ocean breeze, the sound of the pounding surf competing with the play-by-play. But I wouldn't want to, you know, brag or anything.)
I think NatsJack is more popular than Screech!
Steve, I think you just won tonight's Low Bar Award!
Ejax was excellent. He walked the guy with a high inside pitch that almost hit him, and then I think he was tiny bit flustered, and with a .200 hitter up lost focus and that was all it took. He definitely could have done another inning, but he was upset with himself, chewing up his glove.
The offense really had nada. We got BABip'd some, coupla line drives found homes, but no one was hitting into the gap. In a way, after we didn't score in the 8th and RZ's long fly was caught, I was glad because the last thing you want is to wear out the BP with an extra inning game before the Barves series.
RZ made a GREAT play after the triple. It's possible, barely possible, that Bernie could have caught that ball for a web gem, but Werth had the best possible route, so I don't fault him. I think RZ's play gave EJax the momentum, knowing how he often has a bad first inning. Best I have seen him pitch. Mattheus also excellent, could have done the full two innings.
Very late-arriving crowd. I was pretty sure it was a sellout, but had some doubts until the place filled up around the 5th inning. I like when they have a concert because there's no traffic jam leaving.
Just got home - was over in 235 around 6:20 & did not see a familiar face. Did see MichelleS at Justin's and quality time with my son. Besides that, phooey! Like that the Braves did not pick up a game. Love to see the series win tomorrow.
Go Nats!
Scooter, nah, low is saying more popular than Clint. Everyone is a fan of NatsJack. I miss you all. Wish I could've been in the lovefest.
BLAH.. Just got back from the game. Edwin pitched really well (outside of th walk and the dinger)
GHOST.. UNCLE, I GIVE UP ON SHEETS! Good to see the Dodgers figured him out!
MicheleS, I got lucky on what I saw on Sheets. Batters need to sit on his fastball and kill it. it seemed just a matter of time.
I'm more worried about Medlen and Maholm. Go Dodgers on Sunday
Mark, they DID get a runner to third, and they DID have a good scoring chance in the very first inning. With one out Espinosa singled, then Zim singled to right so hard Danny couldn't get past second. Two on one out. Morse flies to deep right (had hope there for a second), Espinosa tags an goes to third. Zimmerman stole second, so a single would have put the Nats up 2-0.
But LaRoche grounded out weakly to second base, and that was it. They didn't really do much else the rest of the night. That was one lousy high water mark for the offense.
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