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Photo by Mark Zuckerman / NATS INSIDER The Nats look to make it 6 of their last 7 tonight at Nationals Park. |
Morse will, however, shift to right field for this game, with Jayson Werth sliding over to center field and Tyler Moore getting a rare start in left field. That means Bryce Harper is on the bench. I wouldn't read a whole lot into that; he's probably just getting the night off against a lefty.
Edwin Jackson, coming off an eight-inning, 10-strikeout performance against the Cardinals, gets the start for the Nationals, who are looking to win for the sixth time in their last seven games since that five-game losing streak of a week ago.
Updates to come, please check back...
CHICAGO CUBS 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: Chance of storms, 85 degrees, Wind 8 mph out to LF
NATIONALS (82-52)
CF Jayson Werth
SS Ian Desmond
3B Ryan Zimmerman
RF Michael Morse
1B Adam LaRoche
2B Danny Espinosa
LF Tyler Moore
C Jesus Flores
RHP Edwin Jackson
CUBS (51-83)
RF David DeJesus
3B Luis Valbuena
1B Anthony Rizzo
LF Alfonso Soriano
SS Starlin Castro
C Welington Castillo
CF Brett Jackson
2B Darwin Barney
LHP Chris Rusin
UMPIRES
HP Clint Fagan
1B Mike Estabrook
2B Jerry Layne (cc)
3B Bill Miller
7:08 p.m. -- And we're underway on another muggy night in the District. Not a particularly big crowd on hand, which probably isn't a huge surprise since school opened today in a lot of areas, as did the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte.
7:34 p.m. -- That was quite a bottom of the first inning for the Nats. After Jayson Werth led off with a single (what, you expected him to make an out?!) Ian Desmond crushed an opposite-field shot for his 20th home run of the season. The Nats kept the pressure on rookie Chris Rusin, with Michael Morse and Adam LaRoche also singling and Danny Espinosa drawing a walk. Morse got a little too greedy, though, and tried to go first-to-third on LaRoche blooper to left. He was thrown out easily by Alfonso Soriano. (Clearly, Michael wasn't around here in 2006 when Soriano had 22 outfield assists; the guy has a pretty good arm.) So despite four hits, a walk and 31 pitches piled up by Rusin, the Nats came out of this with just the two runs on Desmond's homer. They lead 2-0 after one.
8:00 p.m. -- Rough night to be Chris Rusin, huh? The Cubs rookie faced 11 batters and retired only two of them. Jesus Flores led off the second with a homer into the Red Porch. Edwin Jackson singles. Jayson Werth doubled. Ian Desmond doubled home both of them, and that's when Dale Sveum finally put Rusin out of his misery and summoned Jaye Chapman from the bullpen. Chapman was making his MLB debut. Oof. It's 5-0 after two, and this is going to be a long one tonight, folks.
8:08 p.m. -- Edwin Jackson, meanwhile, is cruising along, having retired nine of 10 batters faced through three scoreless innings. The Cubs are now using their third pitcher of the night, Blake Parker. Yikes.
8:20 p.m. -- Well, they didn't score in the bottom of the third, but the Nats did collect two more hits (from Jackson and Werth) to bring their total to 10 in only three innings. Werth is already 3-for-3. Seriously, he could wind up 9-for-9 by night's end.
8:29 p.m. -- Wait, the Cubs aren't quite dead yet. They recorded three hits off Jackson in the top of the fourth, plating their first run of the night. But then Jackson did what so few of his fellow pitchers haven't been able to do all year: Stop the running game. He actually picked of Starlin Castro to end the top of the fourth.
8:45 p.m. -- Sweet. Fancy. Moses. This is turning into an embarrassment for the Cubs. Rafael Dolis, their fourth pitcher in as many innings, served up homers to both LaRoche and Moore. It's now 8-1 after four.
9:03 p.m. -- What? The Nats went down in order in the bottom of the fifth? How can this be? Somebody better pay the price for this offensive futility. If I was Rick Eckstein, I'd sleep with one eye open tonight.
9:23 p.m. -- And now Jackson (after striking out five consecutive batters) finally fades and lets four straight Cubs reach in the sixth. It's now 8-4, and here comes Christian Garcia to make his big-league debut.
9:34 p.m. -- Barkeep, a round of cortisone shots for all my friends! Zimmerman goes deep for the 18th time this season and puts the Nats up 9-4. We move to the seventh, and Bryce Harper is in the game, as is Tom Gorzelanny. Nice easy MLB debut for Garcia, who got a pop-up on three pitches.
9:55 p.m. -- Oh good, Tom Gorzelanny issues three walks in the top of the seventh. That drew some serious grumbling from the crowd of 17,648 (smallest here since April) but Gorzelanny somehow got out of the inning without allowing a run. Meanwhile, it turns out the five home runs hit by the Nationals tonight are the most ever hit by a D.C. ballclub in a home game. That's the most ever hit by the home team at Griffith Stadium, RFK Stadium or Nationals Park. Impressive. Still 9-4 at the seventh-inning stretch.
10:07 p.m. -- Harper introduces himself to this game with a double into the left-field corner, then advances to third base on a pitch that just barely got away from catcher Welington Castillo. That set the stage for Werth to deliver his fourth hit of the night, bringing Harper home and extending the Nats' lead to 10-4 through seven innings.
10:14 p.m. -- Alfonso Soriano greets Ryan Mattheus with a homer in the eighth. 10-5 now.
10:22 p.m. -- And LaRoche goes deep again. Second time tonight. Fourth time in four days. 27th of the season. It's 11-5.
10:38 p.m. -- Ballgame. Nats win 11-5. Braves lose to the Rockies. The lead in the NL East is up to a season-high 7 1/2 games. The magic number for the division title is down to 20.
Go, Edwin! Go, NATS BATS!!
ReplyDeleteI expect a small crowd. Tickets are selling under $1 on stubhub and club seats are going for $10.
ReplyDeleteWish I could go today with those deals.
Weather: Chance of storms, 85 degrees, Wind 8 mph out to LF
ReplyDeleteKids: Back to school
Visiting team: Cubs
Day of the week: Tuesday
Yep, probably not a big crowd. If it was a weekend against the Cubs during the summer, it would draw a large visiting crowd.
Nats are now _fourth_ in the NL in team BA.
ReplyDeleteI'd love to see the splits on that -- what have the Nats been batting post-All Star Break? (Although I can do _player_ splits, I don't know how to do _team_ splits at B-R)
Get some knocks, JFlo!
ReplyDeleteWill be interesting to see how Davey uses the roster now that it has increased. Like that Corey Brown is up and he definitely has OF depth. I would love to see Lombo start a game soon as well and would not mind giving all 3 guys a day off. I realize we are in a pennant race but I think rest can be one of the keys to success. I did not follow the Braves fall last year but I am betting they got tired down the stretch. Hope that does not happen to us.
ReplyDeleteGo Nats!! Go Playoffs!! Score First!!
Wonk, truly amazing. Much credit to Davey as he has really turned around the fortunes of so many of these players and this new initiative with Eckstein seems to be working.
ReplyDeleteIt was just a shame to see Espi and Harp in such deep slumps and glad both are turning around in a positive direction at such key points in the season.
SteveJM, Definitely the rest would be good but don't want to rest everyone at once and then when the division is secured Davey can reassess the situation as he may want to go for "best record".
ReplyDeleteI think the big picture has to be to get guys rest while getting everyone some reps out there.
Werth, Morse, LaRoche, Espi, Desi, Zim, Harp in that order seems to me the order they need rest in and maybe its just an early night off if the Nats can get a large enough lead.
If anyone wants my four tickets for tonight, just post your e-mail address and I'll get them to you at 5PM (since I'm sure they won't sell on stubhub).
ReplyDeleteThey are secition 233 Mez Row H
Free - just got to promise to go and cheer on the Nats/
DC Wonk, here is the Nats team splits page from BR.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/split.cgi?t=b&team=WSN&year=2012
You can get to everything else from this page
http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/WSN/2012.shtml
Lets go EJax, Nats! Keep the winning line moving.
ReplyDeleteTcostant, another great benefit of NI! What a great offer!
ReplyDeleteWould rather have seen JFlo catch ZMMNN. Seems like his struggles began just when we got a new catcher and he couldn't quite get in sync with Suzuki. Hope it's just an unlucky coincidence. Now that the bench is full, it would be nice to see the regulars get some innings off and see the bench guys sharpen up their skills just in case we need them. I agree the "crowd" will be tiny tonight. I may not even get to see much of it on the tube. DVR for sure. Go Nats!!!
ReplyDeletebaseballswami, agreed on the JZim to JFlo but Zuu did much better with him last game even though the game results were horrific.
ReplyDeleteFigure Gio/Zuu tomorrow night for sure then we will see how it goes from there.
I'm curious to see how Gio and EJax bounce back from those long outings they both had.
'I'm curious to see how Gio and EJax bounce back from those long outings they both had'
ReplyDeleteThat's a really good point; especially Gio with that 120 pitch complete game.
I'm looking forward to the magic Davey will conjure with an expanded roster. Something tells me he'll figure out how to use both the position players and pitchers in ways that will help the team win, and provide key rest for some of the starters.
ReplyDeleteOne thing that these new guys can be used for is to get the other team to burn a key reliever on a matchup. I realize that they can play the same game, but for some reason I have confidence that Davey will play it better.
I do hope that Wang, Duke, Garcia, and Lannan (for a week) can offer a little relief (har har har) to our bullpen. They've already been worked hard this year, and we need them to be sharp for the playoffs.
NatsJack in Florida said...
ReplyDeleteGhost ......Davey said don't expect to see alot of the call ups except in situational roles
I think that is definitely the short-term plan to keep the pedal on the metal and wrap up the division. After that, I would expect a day or 2 of rest and not a whole lot more than that as the starters still need to get their work in.
I hope to see that big toothy grin of Davey's at least 33 times more and hopefully on the parade route!
No one want my free four tickets to the game? If your lery of posting your e-mail address, just e-mail at ID above at hotmail dot com.
ReplyDeletesec 233 Mez Row H
Ghost - of course I don't want them all resting at once but it can't hurt to give one starter a break every 7 or 8 games. The caveat here is that we continue to lead the Braves by the 6+/7 games that we have now. To me, job one is win the division. The other stuff can play out after that and NatsJack is correct, Davey has already said this Sept is totally different than last year.
ReplyDeleteBy the way NatsJack, I am actually planning my Fall schedule accordingly as October will stay wide open and flexible. Frequent Flyer miles at the ready for last minute trips (if you know what I mean).
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteSec 222,
You gotta keep pushing hard until you clinch. As I said before the Mets managed to blow a 7 game lead with 17 left and I think the Braves had an 8.5 game lead with about 25 games left last year.
You worry about the playoffs when you get in.
222 - if Wang is in one game the rest of the year then we have lost or are losing by a considerable amount. We have too many arms that are producing results to throw him in any game that has meaning. In a word, he was Horrible in his rehab and I have no reason to believe things will change in the big leagues. I was a big fan at the beginning but it just didn't work. Time to move on.
ReplyDeleteTcostant - going tomorrow and thursday and went yesterday and Saturday. My spousal equivalent is already grumbing about being a baseball widow but thanks for the offer.
Go Nats!!
sjm308, agreed. Just thinking through how you meant it. I sure hope Werth and LaRoche get some rest. Even though Werth was off a long time with the injury, he is a key to get this offense going and still requires regular rest.
ReplyDeleteI love the combo of Werth getting on base and Harp getting home!
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteJD, agreed, pedal to the metal. If you believe Davey pulled Morse for a thumb yesterday, I'm not buying it.
ReplyDeleteNo fooling around until the Fat Lady Sings the tune of the Navy Horn blazing at the end of the game.
DC Wonk: I'll let others address the question of BA's usefulness as a stat, but your basic point is spot-on; the Nats have turned around their offense and are no longer an unbalanced team.
ReplyDeleteI'm more inclined to focus on the most fundamental number available: runs per game (scored or allowed). For pretty much the entire season, the Nats pitchers (and defense) have been number one in the NL is allowing the fewest runs per game (currently 3.57). But what's been fun to watch has been the improvement in offensive production. The Nats currently rank 5th in the NL in runs/game scored at 4.42; throw out Colorado (an anomaly) and they're 4th. They are scoring 0.17 runs/game above 'league average' putting them ahead of some pretty decent offensive clubs). Earlier in the season -- although they were winning -- they were still mired in the 'below league average' range, which just puts way too much pressure on your pitching staff to be (near) perfect.
And if you want to consider what goes into runs scored, there are -- of course -- whole books written about that. But, at a minimum, it's nice to see the Nats 6th in OPS and, more importantly, 4th in OPS+ (which adjusts for ballpark effects and -- correctly -- drops Colorado, Cincinnati, and Arizona out of the top five, while adding San Francisco).
ReplyDeleteGhost,
I think the consensus is that Morse failed to back up Harper on a fly to center and Davie wants to make sure that all his players have their heads in the game all the time so he made an example.
He didn't show the player up by pulling him out in the middle of an inning and he allowed the thumb story to be published but Morse knows the score and I am sure he will be more alert going forward.
Eugene, I probably posted a few dozen times in the off-season on the offensive stat of Runs/G and I don't know how they have done it but they have now met that goal as a team and its why the team is in a position to surpass 94 wins this year.
ReplyDeleteLast night wasn't a stellar night for the Runs stat however that 8th inning add-on run was the difference between a blow-save and a win. Every run counts in the grand plan here.
Some more blow-out Nats wins would be great for the team too.
Last call - anyone want the free tickets? I can e-mail right away. Really want someone to use them...
ReplyDeleteEither post your e-mail address or just e-mail at ID above at hotmail dot com.
sec 233 Mez Row H
4 Tixs, totally free - no catch
sjm and JD, we don't disagree at all. No letting up until we clinch. I'm not arguing for Wang to pitch in a high leverage situation. But if there are garbage innings to be pitched, either because we're winning by a lot or getting blown out, keep Stammen and Gorzo fresh, give an extra day's rest to Mattheus, whatever you can do. And I'd say both Duke and Garcia should be given a chance to pitch in the 6th or 7th if needed. I trust Davey's bullpen management probably more than any other part of his game. He'll figure it out.
ReplyDeleteWe are not the 2011 Braves or the 2007 Mets. We have better starters, and a better bullpen (the back end of the Braves' bullpen was great, but it was way overused down the stretch, which is another reason I'd like to see Davey use the new arms if he can), and a way better manager. Call me Pollyanna, but I just don't see a collapse in sight -- unless we get a signficant injury.
Just say no to Wang. We've played that song. Even as a mop-up, there have to be better mops in the closet.
ReplyDeleteJD said...
ReplyDeleteGhost,
I think the consensus is that Morse failed to back up Harper on a fly to center and Davie wants to make sure that all his players have their heads in the game all the time so he made an example.
He didn't show the player up by pulling him out in the middle of an inning and he allowed the thumb story to be published but Morse knows the score and I am sure he will be more alert going forward.
That could certainly be it and Davey is very calculated on what he does. He's not perfect but he is usually thinking a step ahead of everyone and has a reason or a message he is sending.
I think he was sending a message to all the Vets on playing the game right just like he did with Harp a while back when he airmailed a throw over the cutoff and sat the next day.
ReplyDeletesec 222.
I don't see a collapse either but I am not allowing myself to celebrate just yet and I don't think Davie is either.
Had the 5 game losing streak gone on for a couple more games I am sure we would all have been pretty close to panic mode.
Just keep winning baby and the heck with the Braves.
I'm happy to say I was able to e-mail my seats for someone to use. :)
ReplyDeleteBobby, like I said earlier, for some reason, Wang still has not been activated to the roster. Until then, he's a 40 man guy sitting on the bench and can't play.
ReplyDeleteWord is he is the first guy leaving the clubhouse and gone before Davey has finished his post-game interview.
If it was politics, I think the term would be "lame duck".
WTG Tcostant!
ReplyDeleteGhost and JD -- On Morse, if that's the case, then why did Morse say "my thumb's fine" and "you'll have to ask him [why Davey pinch hit for him]" after the game? If Morse was punished and Davey was giving him a cover story to avoid embarrassment, wouldn't he be more likely to say, "yeah, my thumb was bugging me a little, but it's fine."?
ReplyDeleteI'm perplexed, but I tend to believe Davey - -Morse complained about the thumb to someone, Davey found out, and pulled him because he didn't want him hurting it more. Morse didn't want to come out, but Davey is stubborn.
ReplyDeleteSec 222,
But if it was a thumb or any other injury he would sit for a day or 2. no?
I have to admit I have a man crush on JFlo
ReplyDeleteI wonder if Corey Brown got added?
ReplyDeleteTcostant, glad you found a taker for the tix. Dinner guests prevent my escape to the park tonight.
ReplyDeleteOh, and Great posts by each and every one of you! (Running, ducking)
Peric: Yes (http://nationals.mlb.com/team/roster_active.jsp?c_id=was).
ReplyDeletePeric. Twitter had Corey called up today.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely curious on how EJ does after last start. Praying the cubs bats go into a deep slumber for the rest of the series.
ReplyDeleteAnd the Nats bats are loud and crazy!
ReplyDeleteMicheleS, that's been my worry on pushing EJax in the last start.
ReplyDeleteI don't think Wang is recalled; I think he is still on the DL. No reason for that to change; the Nats have no reason to see whether he can pitch next year (as if!) because no way will they waste any money signing him for another lost year.
ReplyDeleteKey to beating Cubs is easy. Score first.
ReplyDeleteAnd score a lot.
ReplyDeletetcostant, great that you found someone to take you up on your kind offer.
ReplyDeleteCMW has been activated of the DL. Goes to pen per Mark's tweet
ReplyDeleteTcostant Thanks so much for the offer, but I'm working. Sounds like good seats and the RIGHT price!!! Wish I could go...
ReplyDeleteLannan and the Wang are on the way. I can see heavy bullpen usage in our future. Not a lot of "jammage" from those two, just a lot of "hittage".
ReplyDeleteGhost Of Steve M. said...
ReplyDeleteBobby, like I said earlier, for some reason, Wang still has not been activated to the roster. Until then, he's a 40 man guy sitting on the bench and can't play.
Word is he is the first guy leaving the clubhouse and gone before Davey has finished his post-game interview.
If it was politics, I think the term would be "lame duck".
September 04, 2012 5:16 PM
_______________________________________
Well they activated Wang. Curious timing why it was done today and not Sept 1st, 2nd or 3rd.
Quick 1st inning for EJax. Check.
ReplyDeleteGo Jayson
ReplyDeleteIAN!!!
ReplyDelete#2 spot filled nicely by some guy named Ian Desmond!
ReplyDeleteMorse nice swing. Thumb fine. Check. LOL
ReplyDeleteas Flounder said in Animal House... "Oh boy, this is great"
ReplyDeletelol
the Cubs must feel like Kevin Bacon... thank you sir may I have another
ReplyDeleteWith LaRoche getting a running start at 1st on a 3-2 count can he score here on a triple?
ReplyDeleteI don't like the ump helping Rusin out of the strike zone.
ReplyDeleteOn pace for 16 runs 32 hits.
ReplyDeleteKeith Olbermann gets good seats.
ReplyDeleteGonat... I will say this now, while the Nats have been winning so it does not sound like I am being a poor loser... MLB umpires I feel have stunk this season, inconsistent strike zones, ego maniac umps who think the game is about them, and some umps just lazy and too old to be out there.
ReplyDeleteMichel... Keith is a die hard Yankee fan, I bet he is sweating it out now with the O's breathing down their necks.
ReplyDeleteEjac.... looking goooood
ReplyDeleteMick.. Keith maybe a die hard yankee fan, but if you have watched his twitter account, I don't think he likes the Younger Steinbrenners.
ReplyDeleteMichele... that is very true
ReplyDeletemick said...
ReplyDeleteGonat... I will say this now, while the Nats have been winning so it does not sound like I am being a poor loser... MLB umpires I feel have stunk this season, inconsistent strike zones, ego maniac umps who think the game is about them, and some umps just lazy and too old to be out there.
September 04, 2012 7:39 PM
________________________________________
It still ticks me off. The up and outside pitch to Castro was called a ball. That was the same pitch to TyMo for strike 2.
Seeing Keith Olberman in the Presidential seats -- please tell me this super jerk isn't a Nats fan.
ReplyDeleteOkay.. JFLO!!! See all the positive vibes coming his way!
ReplyDeleteJFlo, hello & goodbye!
ReplyDeleteJesus -- they gotta play you more man!!! Amazing what you can do when you're not Banged up!!!
ReplyDeleteHow do you say Tater in Spanish?
I agree Gonat
ReplyDeleteNatsFanJim.... Olbermann is a die hard Yankee fan
Amazing when JFlo is your backup!
ReplyDeleteEverybody hits!! Go Jax!
ReplyDelete"Oh boy, this is great"
ReplyDeletesave the BP tonight
ReplyDeleteOlberman: the quintessential Yankee fan, the ultimate Protypical yankee fan
ReplyDeleteNatsFanJim... I think Keith is friends with Charlie Slowes. Plus he has that baseball nerd blog on MLB. Yankee fan since birth, so I don't think you have to worry.
ReplyDeleteAs FP says: "Keep the line moving."
ReplyDeleteKeith Olbermann is a top collector of historic sports memorabilia and has been a buyer of Nats items.
ReplyDeletelooking at some old photos from 1924, man was DC was excited about the Nats!
ReplyDeleteAnyone with some good "Werth sux" jokes? Hah!
ReplyDeleteThanks Michelle. My all time least favorite Announcer: the Stat Man, Slowes. They should be friends.
ReplyDeleteGo Desi!!!
Jesus, don't put your gear back on just yet... inning aunt aint over yet.
ReplyDeleteUsually it's a good thing to get into the other team's bullpen. I'm thinking we want to keep this starting pitcher on the mound.
ReplyDeleteDon't take your pitcher out Chicago!! Let him get his work in. tee hee
ReplyDeleteSo this was the first time I didn't pull any Cubs gear out of the boxes to wear this week. I was afraid my Dad's ghost would drop an anvil from the sky. So far no Anvil. Thinking Dad likes the Nats.
ReplyDelete"Oh boy, this is GREEEEEEAAAAAAT"
ReplyDeleteToo late.
ReplyDeleteThat was BP
ReplyDeleteMicheleS
ReplyDeleteyour poor Dad, he never saw his team in a WS, correct? Was he around for the 2003 famous, you know, lol
Shouldve let him stay in against Zim as he K'd him in the 1st.
ReplyDeleteDesi with a runner in 3rd, DEADLY!!!!
DeleteNatsJack in Florida said...
ReplyDeleteOne mans jerk is another mans spokesman. Gotta love Keith
I'm with you on that, lol
Ain't, not aunt or aint. Damn spell check...
ReplyDeleteQuick break before dessert is served. I see we are crushing the ball. Bedroom TV is on, muted, and I see Call to the Bullpen already for the Cubs? Daaaaaang!
ReplyDeleteLooks like Ejax pitching ok? He escaped the first with no runs, so probably good for at least seven innings.
GYFNG!
charley Slowes Demo:
ReplyDelete"And the tigers are pitching Joe Smith, Smith, 8-3, with a 3.20 ERA, giving up 42 hits, 5 doubles, 2 triples, {Ball one outside} ... and 14 walks. Lefties are hitting .222 off Smith with 2 doubles, 1 triple, a homerun [Ball two on the inside} ... with 7 walks. Righthanders are hitting .322 off Smith with 3 doubles, 2 homeruns {basehit by Werth to center] ... and a walk, meanwhile they A's pitcher, Jones, has an era and so on and so on and so on
Too painful to listen to. Waaay to painful.
Go deep Morse.
ReplyDeleteCan somebody tell me what is GYFNG?
ReplyDeleteupper deck shot coming for La Roche
ReplyDeletecheck out that gorgeous blond with the red blouse in the Presidentials -- visible when righties are up. I gotta get me one of those seats.
ReplyDeleteGYFNG
ReplyDeleteGo, you Frikkin Nats, Go
Down, boy.
ReplyDeleteBrazil, GYFNG = Go You [Fricken] Nats Go
There are variations.
Thanks NatsFanJim!
ReplyDeleteMick.. He saw them lose in 1945, then choke in 69, then blow it in 84/89, was thrilled in 98 until the Braves killed them (Hated them until his dying day) Saw 03 (thought that would do him in), then watched them get swept in 07/08. He was miserable
ReplyDeleteMan u guys answer really fast!hahahha Thanks everybody!
ReplyDeleteByron Kerr just put up this nice piece on
ReplyDeleteCharlie
Brazil.. as you can see.. the "F" in GYFNG is up to your discretion ;-)
ReplyDeleteIt's pronounced Gwhy-FUNG, btw.
ReplyDeleteAlthough the phonetics may change for Portuguese, I suppose.
Hey, the Nats have at least 2 Brazilian fans. A far cry from the days when there were only 9,000, eh?
Reading and tracking from Saudi Arabia....Nats r looking good!
ReplyDeleteNFJ, do you think she would trouble herself to walk across the room to spit on your shoes?
ReplyDeleteSofa, would be pretty different in portuguese! Im curious to know who is the other one?
ReplyDeleteActually I feel pretty lucky, I started watching baseball last year and choose the Nats because they were closer to the city where I used to live( warrenton, VA) and now this season they are the best team in baseball! how great is that?
ReplyDeleteSo what's the over/under on Cubs pitchers tonight?
ReplyDeleteEjax is a hitting machine.
ReplyDeleteThanks...not a Saudi...just working here temp. I'm from NoVa and should be in bed now...I went to bed with the Nats up 9 against the Braves and woke up to a rude shock.....don't want that again....
ReplyDeleteWerth the Hitting machine
ReplyDeleteGotta admit, though: Cubbie pitchers are laying some FAT ones right in there Center Cut!
ReplyDeleteHome plate seats would be ideal for a Saudi: it faces east (or rather North east)
ReplyDeleteBrazil Go You F******Hard Go.
ReplyDeleteHope next year they figure out how to get Espi to swing and miss less.
Eugene, I am guessing 6
ReplyDeletePitchers best friend visits EJax.
ReplyDeleteEdwin looks winded.
ReplyDeleteTrue about East, but they would need it 5 times a day.
ReplyDeleteI've Officially Seen Everything! A Pick Off!!
ReplyDeleteRockies beatin the Braves 1 to 0.
ReplyDeleteEugene +6.5
ReplyDeleteI think Flores might have signed to Jax to step off there, have to see it again.
ReplyDeleteTypical cubs brain fart
ReplyDeleteFP thinks the bench called a Hold.
ReplyDeletePut some more pressure on the Cubs (in the form of runs), which will put some more pressure on the Braves (who must be doing some scoreboard watching).
ReplyDeleteWhat's next, a bunt hit from LaRoche v. The Shift?
ReplyDeleteGonat: I'm going with 9.5. And I'll take the over.
ReplyDeleteHe actually already got one swift!I just cant remember the game
ReplyDeleteWell, it was Oppo!!!!
ReplyDeleteALR!!! Bombs away!
ReplyDeleteThe Legion of BOOM has arrived tonight...
ReplyDeleteNo bunt Swifty!!!!
ReplyDeleteESPI..starting to swing it from the left side again!!!
ReplyDeleteNice long inning to let EJax catch up on his gatorade would be nice.
ReplyDeleteHmmmm. Zim flies to the track again. FP says he hit it near the label, but it looked like he got it, on the DVR.
Whereas LaRoche definitely barrels there.
You still want at least 10 runs right Eugene?
ReplyDeleteSeems like just yesterday that Mike Rizzo was the village idiot's stupider brother for signing LaWhoosh and Werth-less.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if they're the same people who think he's the village idiot's stupider brother for shutting down SS.
I love how Carp is watching the scoreboard in ATLANTA..
ReplyDeleteand TYLER!
Yes this is great!
and Ty Mo...
ReplyDeleteRockies up 2....
ReplyDeleteTyMo just brought rain!
ReplyDeleteTyMo ball just arrived down here! What a BOMB!
ReplyDeleteGoon squad making the best of their starts!
ReplyDeleteBOOM Goes Tyler! Bryce who? Lol
ReplyDeleteCall the Bomb Squad!
ReplyDeleteMaybe Davey should put Perez and Brown in the OF like in the 6?
ReplyDeleteEugene, you are probably right on the +9.5
ReplyDeleteThe Legion of BOOM!!!!
ReplyDeleteI knew it! Confirmed at 8:33pm that Eugene always takes the over...
ReplyDeleteSwift Eagle: 10 is good. Of course, 11 is better.
ReplyDeleteBarves fans looking at the scoreboard in disbelief.
ReplyDeleteGonat: That's the idea.
ReplyDeleteWhich board, GoNat? Theirs or ours!!!
ReplyDeleteMan, wouldn't be great to play these guys 18 times a year like the Reds and Cards do? Not to mention Hou and Mil....Even the worst team in the NL East has David Wright and the Likely Cy Young winner....
ReplyDeleteJust to let y'all know - I'm scheduled to pitch the top of the ninth for the Cubs.
ReplyDeleteHaha, Candide I heard the peanut vender from Sec 127 was coming in for the 8th...Sidearm guy
ReplyDeleteSj said...
ReplyDeleteWhich board, GoNat? Theirs or ours!!!
September 04, 2012 8:49 PM
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Both, and 2011 is fresh in their minds.
Cubs strategy is to let us get out to a 10-1 lead, at which point we put in all our callups. Then the Cubbies come roaring back.
ReplyDeleteThat's the plan, anyway...
Kind of wish they preserved the nice game EJax had on the board and brought in Duke.
ReplyDeleteThe laugher is now a semi-close game again. 8-4
So I started looking for "Legion of Boom" tee shirts, got distracted, and wound up reading an old 2008 post, with another reality check of what's changed and what hasn't in four years, on several fronts. Only if you're really bored, or were a regular in the days of the Blogfather.
ReplyDeleteChristain Garcia!
ReplyDeleteSwitched over to MLB and caught update of our game. Vasgergian et al VERY critical of Tyler's bat toss on home run. Anyone else notice the shift in their coverage of the Nats from darlings to finding something negative to say? Listened to mlb radio the other day -- it was ridiculous. Everything they said about Nats was either flatly incorrect or stirring the pot. Jerks
ReplyDeleteThat may be one of the few times you'll ever see somebody get criticized for dogging it on a triple. Harper would have been around and back at first again, Alfonso.
ReplyDeleteThat's too bad for Mr. Jackson. Would have been nice to finish six and then get a rest (with a bigger lead).
ReplyDeleteI remember posting here last year during a game that the Nats led the Cubs 8-0, and remarking that, "Well, THIS game is over..." And then the Cubs came back to win.
ReplyDeleteGYFNG - this is an AAAA team you're playing against!
Ooooh, I LIKE this Garcia's first fastball.
ReplyDeleteChristian Garcia, welcome home! Nice job kid!
ReplyDeleteAnd he wanted to handle that popup himself. I like this guy.
ReplyDeleteCandide, Alfonso Soriano, Anthony Rizzo, Starlin Castro and Barney the Purple Dinosaur are far from AAAA.
ReplyDeleteNats need to score a few more. I don't like the 4 run lead.
ReplyDeleteBOOM goes the Z-Man....
ReplyDeleteI like that! Zim gets in on the party!
ReplyDeletefeelanau: They just showed a replay of Tyler Moore's HR and I didn't see anything about his 'bat toss' to criticize. Anyone see something I didn't?
ReplyDeleteI'll give you those four, Gonat. How about the rest?
ReplyDeleteVasgergian et al VERY critical of Tyler's bat toss on home run.
ReplyDeleteWait a minnit--WHAT bat toss?? He dropped it at the end of his swing, he didn't toss it at all. Yeah, he knew he got it, but geez, it was, like, 15 rows deep and 200 feet up. That's just crazy talk.
And you can tell him I said so.
Do u guys think that there is any relation between E-jax getting tired and not been able to finish the sixth with his high pitch count last friday?
ReplyDeleteRockies score again!
ReplyDeleteIf they were banging on Tyler, what did they say when Soriano started his trot on a ball that didn't even get out of the park?
ReplyDeleteLet me guess, nothing...
Brazil: Exactly.
ReplyDeleteDistinctly possible, Brazil.
ReplyDeleteI think FP and Carp are a little too impressed with the Nats hitting tonight. It's not like they're facing Sandy Koufax out there.
ReplyDeleteRockies score again (on a wild pitch).
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteNats Fan in Brazil said...
ReplyDeleteDo u guys think that there is any relation between E-jax getting tired and not been able to finish the sixth with his high pitch count last friday?
September 04, 2012 9:32 PM
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Absolutely. He looked winded early. I'm not sure why Davey didn't pull him at the end of the 5th but I guess Davey was looking at pitch count and his velo which was fine.
Harper must have been bugging Davey to hit against the cubs.
ReplyDeleteAnd if GORZO gives up a run,there will be cursing on this blog.
Why not Corey Brown and let Harper take off the whole night?
ReplyDeleteTHROW A BLEEPING STRIKE GORZO!
ReplyDeleteEugene -- They said anyone with 8 career home runs shouldn't stand and admire and that he may get one in the ribs next time. I'm just reporting what I saw/heard. Like I said, they're looking to be critical.
ReplyDeleteI can tell Michele really wants to beat the Cubs...Lol
ReplyDeleteSwift. Gorzo makes me bonkers sometimes.
ReplyDeleteFair or not, Shutdown-Gate has somehow resulted in the Nats national rep as the ultimate "new school" team...So they're going to be criticized for every helmet toss, bat flip, and perceived breach of baseball decorum....
ReplyDeleteIn the eyes of the national media, the Nats have gone from non-existent to whipping boys...