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Photo by Mark Zuckerman / NATS INSIDER Stephen Strasburg takes the mound against the Marlins tonight at Nationals Park. |
A large crowd is expected to see the 24-year-old take the mound at Nationals Park for the last time in 2012. And there appear to be plenty of those national media members here to chronicle the event.
Meanwhile, the Nationals' lineup will look to continue its torrid pace. Over the last nine games, that group has produced a .351 average, 1.029 OPS, 24 homers and 70 runs. They'll take their hacks at rookie right-hander Jacob Turner, who enters tonight's game with a 7.75 ERA in eight career starts.
Plenty of updates to come, so please check back...
MIAMI MARLINS at WASHINGTON NATIONALS
Where: Nationals Park
Gametime: 7:05 p.m. EDT
TV: MASN2, MLB.tv
Radio: WJFK (106.7 FM), WFED (1500 AM), XM 183
Weather: Mostly clear, 85 degrees, Wind 8 mph RF to LF
NATIONALS (85-52)
RF Jayson Werth
CF Bryce Harper
3B Ryan Zimmerman
1B Adam LaRoche
LF Michael Morse
SS Ian Desmond
2B Danny Espinosa
C Kurt Suzuki
RHP Stephen Strasburg
MARLINS (61-77)
LF Bryan Petersen
CF Justin Ruggiano
SS Jose Reyes
RF Giancarlo Stanton
1B Carlos Lee
3B Greg Dobbs
2B Donovan Solano
C Rob Brantly
RHP Jacob Turner
UMPIRES
HP Brian Gorman
1B Todd Tichenor
2B Tony Randazzo
3B Bob Davidson (cc)
7:08 p.m. -- And we're underway with a 95 mph fastball outside from Stephen Strasburg to Bryan Petersen. Big roar for the right-hander when he took the mound and was introduced. The crowd is still filing in from Half Street, but it looks like it's going to be a big gathering tonight.
7:19 p.m. -- Well, that wasn't quite what Strasburg had in mind: a 24-pitch top of the first in which two runs scored. It started with a leadoff walk -- does anybody ever remember walking the first batter of ANY game he's started? -- and went downhill from there. Jose Reyes singled to right. Giancarlo Stanton roped an RBI double past Ryan Zimmerman's glove. And Carlos Lee brought the second run home on a sacrifice fly to the first baseman. Yes, you read that right. It was a pop-up into shallow right field, with Adam LaRoche, Danny Espinosa and Jayson Werth all going after the ball. LaRoche wound up catching it while colliding with Espinosa and couldn't spin around to make a solid throw to the plate in time to get Reyes tagging. Really, Werth has to make that play. He's got all the momentum going in the right direction. A frustrating start to Strasburg's night. He and the Nats trail 2-0.
7:30 p.m. -- Zimmerman buys Strasburg (and everybody else in attendance) a round of cortisone shots. He also gets Strasburg off the hook for his shaky top of the first, crushing a 2-1 fastball from Jacob Turner deep to left for his 19th homer of the season. It's a 2-run blast, tying this game 2-2 after one. And it's the 15th home run hit by the Nationals over their last 25 offensive innings.
7:39 p.m. -- And Strasburg gives a run right back in the top of the second, serving up a solo homer to rookie Rob Brantly on a first-pitch fastball right down the middle. This crowd is fairly stunned as the Marlins take a 3-2 lead. Strasburg has given up 10 runs (eight earned) over his last seven innings against Miami.
8:02 p.m. -- Wow, it's over. After only three innings, Strasburg is done. He was roughed up for another two runs in the top of the third, including a Stanton home run (is that guy a beast, or what?). Things got so bad, Davey Johnson had Zach Duke warming in the pen before the inning even ended. Strasburg got out of it, but he was due-up to lead off the bottom of the third. Instead, Corey Brown grabbed a bat and stepped into the on-deck circle. So his final line for the night: 3 IP, 6 H, 5 ER, 3 BB, 2 K, 2 HR, 67 pitches, 37 strikes. This crowd is stunned and doesn't really know how to respond. They never got a chance to give Strasburg an ovation as he departed his final home start of the year. It's 5-2 Marlins.
8:20 p.m. -- Well, Zach Duke is getting a chance to pitch in front of a lot more fans than he's used to. The lefty didn't exactly respond well, either. He walked Ruggiano, then served up a triple to Reyes. That makes it 6-2 Marlins in the fourth. By the way, here's your stat of the night, the ERAs for all five members of the Nationals' rotation since the All-Star break: Ross Detwiler 2.79, Gio Gonzalez 3.05, Edwin Jackson 3.47, Jordan Zimmermann 3.67, Stephen Strasburg 3.73. Yep, he's been the least-effective of the entire group.
8:37 p.m. -- So, the Marlins just stole three bases in the fifth inning while leading by four runs. If they led by just one more run and did that, the Nats would be obligated to incite a bench-clearing brawl, right?
8:43 p.m. -- Meanwhile, the Nats have done nothing against Turner since the first inning.
8:59 p.m. -- Well, they threatened in the sixth, with Zimmerman sending a two-out triple to right field and LaRoche drawing a walk to bring Morse to the plate in a big spot. But he flied out to center, so that killed that rally. It remains 6-2 Marlins as we move to the seventh.
9:10 p.m. -- Duke has certainly done what the Nats needed from him tonight. He's churned out four innings of one-run ball, helping save the bullpen. It's weird, the Nats only trail by four runs at the seventh-inning stretch, but it sure feels like more than that. Maybe it's fitting that the official paid attendance was announced as 28,533. I swear, it looks like there are at least 33,000 here. How could there be 13,000 empty seats? Did everyone cash in their Red Carpet Rewards and get freebies tonight?
9:32 p.m. -- Maybe I spoke too soon. I wasn't counting on Ozzie Guillen handing the ball to Carlos Zambrano. We've got a ballgame again, cause Big Z gave up hits to all three batters he faced, with all three eventually scoring. That trimmed the lead to 6-5 and gave Harper and Zimmerman the opportunity to drive in the tying run (or more). Except lefty Mike Dunn buckled down and struck out Harper on a 96 mph fastball -- when's the last time Bryce K'd on a fastball in the zone??? -- and got Zim to ground into a fielder's choice. So the Nats are still trailing, but only by one run as we go to the eighth.
9:43 p.m. -- Ryan Mattheus comes up big and strikes out Stanton with two on and two out in the top of the eighth. That keeps the deficit at one run as we move to the bottom of the inning.
9:55 p.m. -- And Morse ties this game up with a blast into the right-center field bleachers. Nationals Park explodes as he rounds the bases on his 13th homer of the season, his 10th hit to the right of straightaway center field. It's 6-6 as we go to the ninth, Drew Storen now in from the bullpen.
10:04 p.m. -- And just when it looked like Storen was going to blow it, Bryce Harper saves the day with his arm. Gunned down Dobbs at the plate to prevent the go-ahead run from scoring in the top of the ninth. The crowd went nuts again. We go to the bottom of the ninth in a tie ballgame. Chad Gaudin (?!) will pitch for Miami.
10:17 p.m. -- You don't hit a walk-off against Chad Gaudin. You just don't. Harper lines out to center. Zimmerman strikes out. We go to the 10th.
10:36 p.m. -- And the Marlins get to Tyler Clippard (pitching in a non-save situation). Petersen and Ruggiano each delivered one-out singles, then Reyes roped a 2-run triple to left-center, then Lee sent a sacrifice fly into foul territory deep in left field. (Question: Should Morse have just let that ball drop foul? He never had a shot to throw out the runner at the plate.) So now the Nats trail 9-6 and are down to their final three outs.
10:52 p.m. -- Well, they certainly made it interesting, scoring one run in the 10th and loading the bases with one out. But Roger Bernadina struck out on three mighty swings against Steve Cishek, and Werth chased a pitch way out of the zone to end the game. The Nats lose 9-7 in 10, and their lead in the NL East is down to 6 1/2 games.
198 comments:
Okay, Nats, the Marlins have given you fits over the years. Take them seriously, focus, put some offensive pressure on Mr. Turner early (and often), and let Mr. Strasburg do his thing. GYFNG!
I am well aware that any team can win on any given day - but, it would seem that maybe the hitters are in the clubhouse drooling a little at your description of the pitcher they are facing. This offensive stuff is fun! I think that may have been the most run support Jordan has ever gotten as a pro last night. I was so glad when, after he gave up a run, they answered right away. Gave him a couple of innings to get it together - which he did. His velocity was wicked last night - I could swear I saw 97. But I guess we are supposed to be wearing black armbands and mourning about Strassie today, right? Hope he can limit Reyes and Giancarlo.
Got new posted, will try again ...
I have tix to tonight's game, and have always taken the Red Line in the past. Am I reading correctly that it will close at 10 tonight?. If so, what do folks recommend for parking? (Seems like I have seen references to the "Concrete Plant" here?)
Going to the game. Let's see how we do against Turner second time around.
Dave
From wmata.com
Travel advice for Nationals fans attending Marlins games
Track work begins at 10 p.m. Friday evening
Green Line service to and from Navy Yard-Ballpark will operate normally with no scheduled track work all weekend. However, customers who normally transfer to the Red Line after the game should be aware of the following:
Starting at 10 p.m., free shuttle buses will replace trains between Dupont Circle and NoMa-Gallaudet U stations. As a result, Red Line trains will operate in two sections:
Between Shady Grove and Dupont Circle stations every 10 minutes between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m., and at regular weekend intervals at other times.
Between Glenmont and NoMa-Gallaudet U stations every 10 minutes between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m., and at regular weekend intervals at other times.
The following stations will be affected:
Dupont Circle - open for rail service to/from Shady Grove only
Farragut North - closed
Metro Center - open for Blue/Orange line service only (NOTE: The station entrances at 11th & G St NW and 13th & G St NW will be closed. The entrances at 12th & G St NW and 12th & F St NW will remain open.)
Gallery Place - open for Green/Yellow line service only (NOTE: The station entrance at 9th & G St NW will be closed. The entrances at 7th & H St NW and 7th & F St NW will remain open.)
Judiciary Square - closed
Union Station - closed
NoMa-Gallaudet U - open for rail service to/from Glenmont only
To avoid delays, customers traveling to Red Line stations from Fort Totten to Glenmont are strongly encouraged to remain on the Green Line to Fort Totten for connecting Red Line service. Customers transferring to the Blue and Orange lines are advised to transfer at L'Enfant Plaza, rather than connecting between Gallery Place and Metro Center.
DaveB -- Others can give away their secret free parking spots if they want, but my advice is to take a look at the Nats website and park at either the $10 lot (down by 6th and M SE) or the $5 lot (less than your metro fare probably)(under the free way off of S. Cap. St). It's going to be a nice night and the walking time isn't bad at all.
Have fun at the game!
Two suggestions on parking: The concrete plant is located across S. Capitol from the home plate entrance off Potomac. Parking is $18 and you can often find free street parking.
Alternatively, drive to the Anacostia Metro Stop & park in the garage (free on weekends) and take the Green Line one stop to Navy Yard against the flow of traffic.
For DaveB (got new-posted)
DaveB -
To get to the concrete plant area, take the SE Freeway/I-695 to the South Capitol Street exit.
After you get onto South Cap, QUICKLY merge into the right lane so you can turn right on M Street.
Right on M, then left across the oncoming traffic onto Half Street. You'll see a sign telling you not to enter First during Nats Park events, except local traffic. Unless there are cops around, ignore it.
Take Half Street through a sketchy neighborhood, all the way past Potomac Avenue, to T Street. Right on T, then right on First. there should be plenty of spots on First. if you feel lucky, continue back up First to S, and turn right there; there should be spots available there if you get there early enough.
I barely got to the park on time for first pitch yesterday, but still had no problem getting a spot on First.
There are also lots of metered spaces at the Homeland Security building at T and Half.
You have to feed the meter until 6:30. If you have a smart phone, you can download the Parkmobile app to pay by credit card through your phone - takes a little practice, but it's handy. I think the meters are a dollar an hour, so if you get there at 5:00, you get full game parking for under two bucks.
DaveB. I park in the T or U lots (see Nats Parking map). It's around 20 bucks, but a quick walk, just 2 blocks N of M Street. Only drawback: the traffic getting out post-game is pretty messy: there's always a back-up by folks waiting to go north on 2nd (3rd?) St to get on the SW/SE Freeway -- and it blocks the exits to the lots -- at least for those wanting to turn left out of the lot. You must depend upon the tender mercies of one of those drivers to let you into the line. Alternative is to turn right out of the lots, go down to M, turn right on M & then right again on New Jersey up toward the Rayburn Bldg. & Independence Ave. This works if you're headed to VA; don't know if (or how) it would work to get you to MD.
GYFNG!! Can't wait for us to eliminat the Fish tonight!!!
Nice piece by Kilgore on NJ on the two closers who are in the Cy Young converstation, Chapman and Kimbrell. He notes that Gio has the highest fWAR among pitchers in the National League -- 4.9.
Last Strasmas of the home season. Go get 'em, Jesus!
metro better not screw around during city's first postseason in a long time.
I am sorry Section 222, but I did not like that article. I wonder why he even wrote it.
scoring in the first inning
I've mentioned this once, before, but does anyone else think this stat is (also) amazing?
The Nats have scored in the first inning 6 out of the last 8 games (3/4 vs Cubs, 3/4 vs Cards)
Let's do it again, guys!
DaveB, if it's not too late -- we part in Lot NN (I think it's called?), under the freeway. Only $5.
This is one team the Nats need to completely and utterly annihilate as they did the Cubbies. Vindication, vengeance, call it what you like. Plus Ozzie needs another pine tar bat sent his way.
It's Lot HH.
By the way,
It looks like my two guys, Nate Karns and Matt Skole won pitcher and position player of the year ... nice job guys!!!
Drew storen is coming on intentional talk after the commercial break!
Peric - it's HH lot, and as you say, it's normally five bucks. Except when the Yankees are in town. Then the thieves demand ten.
Good place to park, though - it's covered, only about 1/2 mile from the park, and you have lots of company walking along South Cap in the dark, so even single women shouldn't be nervous about parking there.
Whoops - looks like FW beat me to it.
Thanks all for your help! What a great site.
Go Stras ... GYFNG!
Why are you still posting? Hie ye to the ball park!
Peric - it's HH lot, and as you say, it's normally five bucks. Except when the Yankees are in town. Then the thieves demand ten.
You must realize that's how the the kind of famous local Washington based Cafritz family fortune got its start. Although, I think what's left may be living on the French Riviera?
I've heard that some pan handlers make up to $1000 a day in Vegas.
T minus 25 and counting....... This is so much fun and i have to admit, the O's have really made this into a something as well
I think the pix on twitter of Zim and Werth talking to Ben Bernanke are interesting. Their two contracts could actually put a little dent in the national debt.
I'm telling you, I think Ozzie will have a meltdown this weekend, lol
For future ref there is a boat that goes from old town by chart house to stadium. Great trip AND they serve booze! $20
Jerome just announced that Karns and Skole are signing autographs in the team store. Right now!
Candide
Thanks for the parking meter tips!
You're welcome, MicheleS.
I should have mentioned that you need to be taking the SE Freeway traveling EAST, i.e., from the general direction of the 14th street bridge. If you're traveling west, there's no exit to South Cap off the SE Freeway. Hope that doesn't mess DaveB up, though I suspect not, since he said he normally takes the red line, so I assume he's coming from the north and would be naturally inclined to be going in the right direction. DaveB, if this gets you all messed up, please be advised global warming is to blame.
Just saw Karns and Skole on pre- game. Two more squeaky clean, smart, talented young men. Nats template.They will fit right in.
Skole and Karnes obviously aren't ready for the show yet; they still haven't mastered interviews. Seems the only adjective they know is "amazing."
Back to CDCC - Crash Davis Cliche Class, boys!
Uh oh. Reverse lock? The line on this game is "WAS -320"
I've never seen one so high!!
We are a superstitious bunch, aren't we?
Heyman is reporting that the Nats want to keep LaRoche next year
Leadoff walks will kill you.
MicheleS, no doubt the Nats want ALR next year, just not 3 more years and that's the issue.
G.Stanton has been thorn in the Nats side all year long!
And that's the way you respond.
Heard dat, Eugene.
Zim goes yard.
Restart. Now we can see which pitcher bounces back better; I think (and hope) I know.
Damn. Another post-TJ off night.
Even the outs SS is getting are loud outs.
I would get a spare starter up.
Not pretty. 4-2
yeesh
Hate to say it, I would have pulled him.right after the Stanton.HR. Oh that's right, I basically set it last inning.
No, not pretty at all; offense needs to step it up and rescue the pitcher, just like the pitchers were having to carry the hitters early in the season.
Now where are the geniuses on ESPN and elsewhere who said Nats couldn't do without Strasburg in the stretch? Maybe Rizzo should have shut him down earlier?
Dukes was warming up. Its going to be a short night for Strasburg
He went out like a lamb
Couldn't find a parking place so I came home. Stras is out?
Now where are the geniuses on ESPN and elsewhere who said Nats couldn't do without Strasburg in the stretch? Maybe Rizzo should have shut him down earlier?
Rizzo ruined Stras' psyche? How? Didn't he have a bad game against the Marlins last time around?
Candide @ 7:35: that's exactly what's happening. And it just shows the fraudulence of the national sports media's "coverage" of Strasdown that they have virtually or totally ignored that very visible factor ever since it appeared with a vengeance after the ASB (which is exactly how it occurred with JZimm last year).
The point is that on top of the wear and tear on his arm if he were to go longer, the Nats would be rolling the dice on his performance, especially in the playoffs. Pitching him then would be like Bertie Botts Every Flavor Beans, and you might get vomit or earwax.
Interesting that when Carp wondered if Stras might pitch again after the 12th, FP responded asking if Stras would even pitch again. (Which was actually a bit silly in that not only is he now short of 160 (and 162), it's against all of Davey's pitcher handling to end his season not only on such a low note, but prematurely relative to everything the team has said before. Doubt very much that will happen,mbut this is the shortest he's pitched this year.
Mark Zuckerman@MarkZuckerman
ER allowed by Strasburg last 11 starts: 0-4-1-6-0-1-2-1-5-0-5. Theme of 2nd half: Inconsistency. Trademark for guys back from TJ surgery.
Maybe a reason Duke was in the Minors.
I enjoyed that strike out of stanton
NJ. Exactly. So he had a bad start before "the talk," and one after. Against the same team. No proof that "the talk" made any difference one way or the other.
djinFL: If that trend holds, the next start is right one to end on.
Steady Eddie said...Candide @ 7:35: that's exactly what's happening. And it just shows the fraudulence of the national sports media's "coverage" of Strasdown that they have virtually or totally ignored that very visible factor ever since it appeared with a vengeance after the ASB (which is exactly how it occurred with JZimm last year).
I have less and less respect for the media all the time, and that's true even if you exclude politics from the mix.
From one of my favorite blogs: Science 10 Million - Journalism0
And: Time Magazine Relies on Huffpo for Science
And: Media Screws Science Up Again
Jeezum crow...
On the good news side... tracking info on the jerseys I ordered from China on August 25 are finally showing as being in New York City.
Jeez, Davey needs to pull Duke after this inning for that kind of obliviousness to base runners. Doesn't matter that no runs scored on the bunt or in the inning. Holding runners is a huge issue for the whole pitching staff, and he can't be gunning for a playoff spot, or even a spot start, and show he doesn't get such a crucial issue for the squad.
Candide -- and you believe that tracking info....? ;-)
Well, they were showing as being in Shanghai since August 26. We'll see...
Desi couldn't have landed on his feet there? Mediocre effort!
;-)
just one of these nights...
any possibility Strass gets another start beyond Sept 12?
I only ask it because Strass went only 3 innings. I think the shut down would better now for Stephen
I am a bit concerned with Morse's hitting and his approach to the plate lately
Mick, I am concerned with what appears to be Morse's lax attitude in the field as well.
With the exception of RZ, it seems that most of the Nats have not been having good AB's tonight. Maybe starting to now?
ehay2K.... good point, i wonder if he is tired and maybe a 1-2 game on the bench is what he needs to light a fire under him?
this is a good game to play Lombo, Shark and others as well
Morse's thumb and hand may also be bugging him at the plate. Just to be fair.
are the Braves going to win three 1-0 games in a row?
ehay2... very true and that is why a 1-2 game rest would be perfect
Natsjack.... good point
FP and Carp are recommending a shark attack, so it's unanimous.
Is it just me, or has Morse never sold out and dove for a fly ball?
I just have never felt he gives his all in the field. Tonight, he might have been able to get that double on the line, but maybe not. Might just be my perception based on prior (potentially erroneous) observations.
Anyone else care to comment?
Some one actually suggested the reverse lock earlier today. This is not the first time the Nats have had trouble with some young , green pitcher with a high era. Falling too much in love with hitting home runs. Maybe time to play some guys in the dugout who are chomping at the bit.
now one can see the benefit of an expanded roster for teams playing for a pennant. The good thing about playing Duke is that it saves the bull pen
And I would also like to watch a nats game where carp wasn't constantly doing the play by play of the barves game during our game.
Duke is doing the job: eating innings. Interesting to see Duke instead of Gorzleanny who would typically be assigned this task I guess?
ehay2... isn't Morse an infielder naturally... came up playing SS and was really going to a be a 1b until moved to outfield..
If Lee steals third, they might just put Duke down right there on the field, equine-euthanasia style.
peric... do yo think Gorzo will see limited time as we go on? I am getting that impression
ehay2k lol
Is it just me, or has Morse never sold out and dove for a fly ball?
Sure we have two years ago. But he may have been told to avoid it? All of his serious injuries incurred while playing the outfield with abandon. Especially running into the wall with Seattle. Cost him an entire season.
swami... I hear you about Carp... but, this what happens in a pennant race
peric... great point on Morse, i forgot about that
Peric, also cost Seattle a new wall, which was more than they were paying Morse!
I don't know Mick but knowing Davey he will use every opportunity to see what he has relative to selecting his playoff roster. Right now I think Christian Garcia makes the team. That may mean he gets replaced in the AFL. Burnett might be left off. As far as middle relief? They only need 4 starters, but Davey may go with two long guys just in case ...
I know, but it 's still the first week of september and it's annoying.
I'd guess Storen is next. He needs the work.
I still am disturbed by Dale Sveum and I am assuming Theo Epstein will show him the door at season end. I have never heard of any coach at any level complain about a team trying to score with a 5 run lead in the middle of a game. I hope there was more to this because if not, this becomes surreal
If the Nats bring back Laroche next season, I suspect The Beast will be part of a trade package. However, Laroche may be a difficult sign because there aren't many free agent first baseman available for next season. He will be looking for an Adam Dunn type contract--4 years, $56 million. I doubt Rizzo will be willing to go that high.
peric.. agreed on Garcia... is Burnett in worse shape than we are hearing? I hope not
I could be wrong but right now I suspect Jeff Mandel might be off to the AFL. Still need an infielder I think.
Good. That Turner kid is gone. Weren't getting much off him. Desi, nice single.
Let's get something started here.
phil dunton
LaRoche' fielding is huge, I am assuming they are projecting Tyler Moore as the long time 1b, but, why not keep LaRoche
And Espinosa! Way to greet the mad man. Desi still looks uncomfortable running.
Zambrano - bruised ego may be too bad to continue...
Morse is just not fast. And he thought the ball was foul. Wrong move. You play the ball and let the umpire rule.
Desi stole a base and laid out on a catch. If he can do that, he must be feeling pretty good.
I love Zambrano points to heaven. Is he thanking God or mad at him?
Well, well, well. Getting interesting.
That's the thing. Davey might convert Gorzo to short left-handed relief. Gorzo has the same velocity as Burnett and along with Micahel Rodriguez that would give you two lefties. Then you'd have Clippard, Mattheus, Storen and Garcia on the right side. That's six. Then you pick two long guys (Stammen and Duke/Lannan) plus the four starters.
Or they could just leave Garcia and Duke off the playoff roster and just leave Burnett off due to injury. BUT, Davey likes a fully populated bullpen loaded for bear.
We know who the four starters. But the bullpen?
I can see Davey picking Garcia as a filthy stuff replacement for H-Rod.
GYFNG!!!
Meant to say Michael Gonzalez. Sorry ...
Lombo!!!!!
So, I step away to have dinner with my family and things get interesting. Let's keep the pressure on; nobody out.
lombulldozer
OK, #1, let's get Stras off the hook. #2, Let's WIN this one!
The kid can just get out of bed and make contact.
Eugene, I'll send you five bucks if you step away again for a few minutes...
Now, the Nats are behaving like the best team in baseball.
Candide: Only works once an inning. But I do have to take my daughter to the ice rink shortly...
Eugene- I will send you ten. Hurry up.
Mick, I agree, re-sign Laroche. However, the mutual option for next year won't do it. It needs Laroche's agreement and he won't agree because he can get more years and bigger bucks by becoming a free agent. At 33, he will be looking for security.
Natslady - Zambrano may just be calling for lightning.
Swami, let's not get into a bidding war. That'll just encourage Eugene to hold out and the game will be over by then.
Eugene - you guys have dessert yet?
obviously not Harper at third on that play
tough matchup for Mattheus with Stanton
Morse is not good enough to keep. Bad outfielder and I think Tyler Moore or Shark can out WAR him
Cubs are taking out their frustration on the Pirates. 8-0. Pirates have made seven (count 'em) 7 errors in the game so far.
got a call there, whew
Pirates collapsing just like last year.
Did I mention that I heart Ryan Matteus?
Wow! Nasty sequence by Mattheus!
Scott M, I said that last winter, but I was outvoted. Not only by the posters here, but by Mike Rizzo.
Looks like more than 28K to me, but can't see the far reaches of the upper decks.
You get your wish. Stayed for the Marlins half of the inning, now off to the ice rink. Send the money to the Arlington Food Assistance Center....back soon.
Hmmm.. 8-0 lead, you think the Cubs still advanced the runners on an error? How unsportmanlike!
Next year, we trade Morse to the A's for Milone, Peacock, and Norris.
Update: 12-0.
Gorse!
Well, Morse will be shaking other guys' hands after that and not his own...
OK, keep Morse for today!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
OK, we can keep him.
Good timing, Scott M. and Nats Lady.
Even though the Beast hasn't been hitting for power because of his hand and thumb, he's gotten a lot of singles that sustained a lot of rallies.
Notice where his BA is? There's a reason Rizzo resigned him for 2 years.
Haaaaaa!!! I take it back Morse, well at least, until the off season!
Yeah, the league really isn't brimming with .300 hitters with his power, I wouldn't give up on this guy so quickly. You can live with him being aggressive batting in the middle of the order.
Morse is not good enough to keep. Bad outfielder and I think Tyler Moore or Shark can out WAR him
That's because both you and Scott are wrong Natslady.
Sure, Tyler Moore is younger and could be a huge power threat in the middle of the lineup, but he is still not comfortable in the outfield and you should know that since you are the one who always wanted Ankiel (NO BAT. NO NAT) in the game. Moore is not as good as Morse in left field. Moore is exclusively a first baseman.
The Shark? He was given the chance to start on multiple occasions over the past three years. He seems to have found his niche as fourth outfielder. He may be the best left fielder but he will never hit for the kind of power that Morse does.
And IMO Zimmerman is moving to first base so? Its Moore who seems most likely to be moved. Bernadina next because of the value he generated this year and because they do have Brown and Perez. I don't think LaRoche comes back ... not with Rendon close and he may opt to test the free agent waters?
Peric, Morse is good enough to trade then, correct?
Back from rink; it seems to have worked again...and I do have to go next door for a birthday party at 7:30 (my time).
the defense has been cursed since Espy was bragging on it in that masn interview earlier
HA! The reverse jinx DOES work!
The Kid!
Um, duh, Ozzie?
Sweet, sweet, sweet.
Wow! Bryce again. When will they ever learn? When will they ever learn?
Peric. Solid points. I disagree.
Yeah you right NL! What is it with the scouting in this league?
Note also KSuz's great blocking of the plate.
Peric, Morse is good enough to trade then, correct?
Not next season. But, sure. I expect him to be replaced by Brian Goodwin, Matt Skole (where do you put him if Zimmerman/Rendo are at first/ third? Outfield.) and now longer shot Destin Hood.
I think the Nats have found their best possible lead-off hitter in Werth (thank god for the attitude change on Werth's part). He's here for the
long haul.
In two seasons Morse will be 32.
Cheers of "Let's go Harper!"
At least Gaudin is trying to keep Werth from getting a big lead.
Werth isn't going to risk the game like a speedy slap hitter with speed might.
Why cant they put these guys away...
Dang it CLIPPARD!
Okay, off to the birthday gig -- hope my departure helps.
Ah, I see - it's all Eugene's fault! ;-)
No matter how bad the marlins are, its the one team they always have hard time against.
The Nats do not have a closer this year. They need to shelve their whole hierarchy and let their most apt guys pitch at the ends of games. Clippard seems to get hammered, over and over and Storen hasn't been much better. I guess they were due for some bad luck, but it always seems to be the Marlins.
I don't have much faith in either Storen or Clippard in a close game unfortunately.
Why catch that?
First time I've ever seen Clipp not finish his inning.
Good question, ehay. Good question.
Clippard's ERA is skyhigh for a "closer." It is over 3.00. Storen is a big disappointment; maybe they should have dealt him when they had the chance, although I didn't want them to at the time.
For closers, ERA is a lot less meaningful than Saves and Blown Saves.
Clippard finished his inning when he gave up 3 runs in a summary fashion. He only came out afterwards. Thank goodness for the new offense because we have seen some real holes in the relief pitching.
My 12 th game this year. if we lose will be 10-2 . Followed will have lost both in extra inning lost to reds Apr 15.
That ball was foul. Why Morse catch it? That was automatic run.
Oh yeah?
Well, was that a blown save?
This is longer than a Yankees - Red Sox game!
HOLY POOP! NO QUIT!
Heh. I was thinking of going to bed when it got to 9-6...
I guess it is part random and part match-ups but I am sick of the GD Marlins always beating us. They seem to beat no one else and have a luck factor of 5 but they always beat us.
How many blown saves does Clippard have? I believe 5 or less. He has at least 30 saves.
Great swing by Espinosa.
Is that the standard? Great stoppers blow a couple a year. He is decent based on Whip, but he has also been fortunate in my opinion. Clippard was very shaky just after the All Star break in several games.
Clippard's first year as a closer, pressed into service by injury.
How do you know when a closer has pitched a crummy game?
He gets the win....
Well, true, but he was an All Star...
Come on Jayson! Need some magic!
Bernadina and Espinosa both get blown away....
Nobody can even make contact....
Argh.
Sigh.. at least we didn't quit and made the fish work for it. Another game tomorrow.
Well, at least we are almost done with the Strasburg fiasco. I think they should call it now, or give him one more home game, but let's move forward to the guys who actually are going to be on the roster going forward.
I have more interest in Lannan than watching Strasburg get shelled again.
WODL - not a blown save, btw.
Everybody but Suzuki swinging at bad pitches trying to hit the home run after Morse and Desmond. Starting with Espinosa. Werth could have walked.
Making Werth a lead-off hitter rather than anywhere in the heart of the lineup makes an abundant amount of sense. He could have done his job as lead-off Larry and allowed Harper to bat.
Terrible at bats wasted opportunities!
Call it what you want. Clippard was not good, at least statistically and I happen to think he is worse than his stats indicate. It is time to shut Strasburg down and let the grown-ups finish the season. Strasburg was terrible and if they hadn't left him in so long, they might have won this one. You can't just let these guys linger out there inning after inning....
Davey seems to indicate that Stras needs to be shut down NOW!
You also can't pull your starters in the first inning because it kills your bullpen. Stras pitched a whopping three innings. That impacts THIS game. Killing your bullpen impacts the next several.
You cannot win them all. You could look it up.
We needed single and swinging for homers. come on
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