Sunday, September 16, 2012

Game 146: Nats at Braves

Photo by Mark Zuckerman / NATS INSIDER
Gio Gonzalez seeks win No. 20 tonight at Turner Field.
ATLANTA -- It's Sunday night, and the Nationals and Braves have the entire national stage to themselves. Well, aside from whatever NFL game is being played in primetime, which I'm sure we'll find out tomorrow drew 4,862 times more viewers than this pennant race ballgame. But I digress...

ESPN gets a good one tonight, with the Braves trying to sweep the series and pull within 5 1/2 games of the NL East lead. The Nationals, of course, came to town knowing they just needed to win once to keep the lead at a comfortable 7 1/2 games, so now the pressure's on them to salvage tonight's finale.

Davey Johnson will send his de facto ace to the mound in Gio Gonzalez, seeking to become the first 20-game winner in the majors this season and boost his increasing Cy Young Award hopes. He'll be opposed by fellow left-hander Mike Minor, who owns a 4.42 ERA for the season but hasn't given up a run in his last 12 2/3 innings.

Plenty of updates to come live from Turner Field...

WASHINGTON NATIONALS at ATLANTA BRAVES
Where: Turner Field
Gametime: 8:05 p.m. EDT
TV: ESPN
Radio: WWXT (92.7 FM), WWXX (94.3 FM), WJFK (106.7 FM), WTEM (980 AM), WFED (1500 AM), XM 89
Weather: Mostly cloudy, 83 degrees, Wind 4 mph out to LF
NATIONALS (89-56)
RF Jayson Werth
CF Bryce Harper
3B Ryan Zimmerman
1B Adam LaRoche
SS Ian Desmond
2B Danny Espinosa
LF Tyler Moore
C Kurt Suzuki
LHP Gio Gonzalez

BRAVES (83-63)
CF Michael Bourn
LF Reed Johnson
RF Jason Heyward
3B Chipper Jones
1B Freddie Freeman
2B Dan Uggla
C David Ross
SS Andrelton Simmons
LHP Mike Minor

UMPIRES
HP Marvin Hudson
1B Tim Timmons
2B Fieldin Culbreth (cc)
3B Marty Foster

8:07 p.m. -- And we're underway as Jayson Werth breaks form and hacks at the first pitch of the game, flying out to left.

8:12 p.m. -- A pretty quick top of the first for Mike Minor. He allowed a two-out single to Ryan Zimmerman, who stroked a line drive to right field, but got Adam LaRoche to fly out to end the inning. Onto the bottom of the first.

8:26 p.m. -- Gio Gonzalez didn't give up a run in the bottom of the first, but the Braves sure made him work: 21 total pitches, including 10 during a long at-bat by Reed Johnson (ending in a flyout). Chipper Jones, meanwhile, got a standing ovation when he stepped to the plate for the first time tonight. The last time I remember any player getting this kind of love every time he moved was Cal Ripken during his final weeks with the Orioles in 2001. Remarkable.

8:33 p.m. -- On the bright side, Danny Espinosa managed to put the ball in play in the top of the second. He popped up to first base. Thus ended his streak of eight consecutive strikeouts in this series.

8:37 p.m. -- More good news: Because the Cardinals-Dodgers game ended in anything other than a tie -- St. Louis won in 12 innings -- the Nats' magic number to clinch a playoff berth is now down to 3.

8:50 p.m. -- Two scoreless innings for Gio, but he's already up to 50 pitches as the Braves keep fouling off whatever he throws up there. 0-0 as we move to the third.

9:19 p.m. -- And after 83 pitches, Gio Gonzalez has finally completed the third inning. Boy, are the Braves working him or what. He went to a three-ball count on eight of the first 14 batters he faced, and finally was scored upon twice in the bottom of the third, with Chipper Jones working the count full before lacing an RBI single to left-center. Freddie Freeman then worked the count full himself and lofted a sac fly to left, making it 2-0 as we move to the fourth.

9:28 p.m. -- Oof, just when it looked like the Nats might have something cooking in the top of the fourth, with two on and one out, Espinosa grounded into a 6-4-3 double play on the first pitch he saw to end the inning. The two hitting strategies tonight could not be more disparate. The Braves' strategy against Gio: Make him work. The Nats' strategy against Minor: Try to pounce on him early. Which one seems to be working so far? Still 2-0 Atlanta moving to the bottom of the fourth.

9:49 p.m. -- What a recovery by Gio. After throwing 83 pitches through the first three innings, he needed only 20 to get through the next two. You have to assume that'll be it for him, and this won't go down as a quality start by any stretch of the imagination. But it was a pretty gutty effort from the left-hander, who winds up allowing two runs on three hits and keeping his team in this game. Still 2-0 as we go to the sixth.

10:03 p.m. -- The Nats get on the board at last. Harper leads off the top of the sixth with a double to deep left-center. It looked like he really wanted to go for three but was forced to hold at second after the ball bounced over the fence. No worries because Desmond roped a two-out, two-strike base hit to center to bring home the Nats' first run of the night. Ian did then get picked off first base to end the inning, but it's now a 2-1 Braves lead as Gio retakes the mound for the bottom of the sixth sitting on 103 pitches and with a steady rain now falling.

10:19 p.m. -- That may have been a bad idea to let Gio come back for the sixth. He immediately walked Chipper, then served up a towering, 390-foot double to Freeman. With the right-handed Uggla due-up, Dave Johnson decided to bring out the hook right then and summon Craig Stammen to try to pitch out of the mess. Which he somehow did. Despite falling behind 3-0 to Uggla, Stammen induced a pop-up for the first out. He then struck out Ross and got Simmons to ground out. So remarkably it's still 2-1 Atlanta as we go to the seventh and the grounds crew comes out to clean up the infield and mound as the rain intensifies.

10:50 p.m. -- The bullpen walked the tightrope again in the bottom of the seventh and paid the price for it. After Stammen issued a walk and Zimmerman was charged with an error on a chopper to third, Sean Burnett entered in a big spot: runners on the corners, 1 out, Heyward at the plate. He got a sharp grounder to first, at which point LaRoche had to make a decision. He ultimately chose to step on first and try to nab Bourn at the plate, but his throw was a bit wide and Suzuki couldn't make the tag. Should LaRoche have tried a 3-6-3 double play instead? I'm not so sure they could've turned it. That play loomed even larger shortly after when Burnett plunked Freeman and then served up a two-run single to Uggla. All of a sudden, it's 5-1 Atlanta and the Nats are six outs from being swept in this series.

10:57 p.m. -- Three outs from getting swept now.

11:04 p.m. -- OK, last chance for the Nats. They trail by four in the ninth. It'll be Zimmerman, LaRoche and Desmond against Chad Durbin.

11:12 p.m. -- That'll do it. The Nats fall 5-1 and get swept in the series. What was an 8 1/2-game lead when they arrived in town has turned into a 5 1/2-game lead as they leave town.

244 comments:

  1. Big game ... they need this one because everyone is going to start beating on everyone associated with the Nats for the Stras shutdown if they lose. Pressure is decidedly on.

    ReplyDelete
  2. This one's ours!!!

    No more Golden Somberos for Espi---at least for this game!

    Let's bang this guy around guys!

    GooooooooooooooooNats!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Remember Desmond last season ... next year Espinosa will be a lot better ...

    Hopefully, Tyler Moore will be amenable to the idea of playing winter ball to hone his outfield skills this offseason.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Grr. I should have a taped game to watch by now!

    I guess I'll muddle through somehow. Spend time with my family, or some [darn] thing ...

    ReplyDelete
  5. Astros just beat the Phillies. Unreal. Took 3 of 4.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Look at the Pirates. That is a wild one. You would think 9 runs would beat the Cubbies. Think again.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Can't say I'm sorry. Marlins just clinched their third straight losing series, and---

    coolstandings ‏@coolstandings
    HOU 7, PHI 6. #Phillies playoff chances now 1.2%. http://www.coolstandings.com/baseball

    ReplyDelete
  8. Bobby V just put in a pinch hitter in the middle of an at-bat.

    bobby-valentine-goes-to-pinch-hitter-with-2-2-count

    http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/09/16/bobby-valentine-goes-to-pinch-hitter-with-2-2-count/

    ReplyDelete
  9. The team needs to play smarter and looser tonight. Both losses this weekend can be blamed on nerves. A win tonight and they'll be poised for a big home stand, with a chance to clinch the division at home. Go Gio!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Here's my first [and I hope the final] thought on the bad call. I'm watching the 'Skins, passing time until the real contest of the day. The rules of that league are so arcane, the replay and review procedure so esoteric, and so on, that the guys in the booth can't figure it out, the referees can't figure it out, the coaches can't figure it out, and certainly the fans can't figure it out.

    Over the season, the Nats have benefitted from a number of er, blown, calls and I'm fine with the way things are. May the NFL scheme never invade our elegant game.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Philthies back under .500 After they quietly got back into the playoff race they crumbled under the recent pressure.

    ReplyDelete
  12. NatsLady, what was the outcome of the pinch hitter appearance for the Red Sox.

    ReplyDelete
  13. It's interesting, the Phillies have been the ones getting all the attention for "making a late-season surge." But at this point, I think the Brewers have a much better chance of sneaking in. Right now, they're tied with the Pirates, two back from the Cards and the Dodgers for the second wild card.

    Isn't it funny how two or three weeks ago, we looked at the stretch starting with the upcoming home stand and said, "Only the Cards and maybe the Dodgers are in contention--we'll close things out." Oh, how things change.

    ReplyDelete
  14. That’s what he did in the seventh inning of a scoreless game today against the Blue Jays. Valentine opted to stick with a .071-hitting Jose Iglesias with a man on first and two outs in the top of the frame. However, after Pedro Ciriaco stole second base, Valentine had a change of heart, inserting Daniel Nava into the game with a 2-2 count on the hitter.

    Nava, predictably, grounded out to end the frame, and the Red Sox went on to lose 5-0.

    ReplyDelete
  15. NatsLady, thanks. Valentine will get heat for that one.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Rooting for mega extra innings in Cards-Dodgers. Even though they have the off-day to travel here, let 'em be tired...

    ReplyDelete
  17. Which hitter gets the ding on his batting average?

    ReplyDelete
  18. RG3 lookin' good (even with a pick) but the D, not so much. Watching two baseball games and a pointyball game...

    ReplyDelete
  19. I'm doing the same at a sports bar NatsLady. I'm a Skins fan. Many years of frustration built up.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Gotta love Davey.

    Amanda Comak ‏@acomak
    Asked Davey if he'd recruit both sides to pick up Adam LaRoche's mutual option: "We need him back more than they need me back."

    ReplyDelete
  21. NatsLady, I think it's whoever ends the at-bat, but that's just off the top of my head.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Valverde, BS + Loss. Guess his luck has run out.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Note that the Philthies' loss today eliminates them from winning the NL East. I know that was a foregone conclusion -- but it still feels good to say that.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Bigfish, I just love love love that Fillies "E" in the standings.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Leave it up to the baseball gods, Hudson has the plate tonight.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Sam,

    For the most part I agree with you regarding limited replay in baseball, however I would like to see a rule that would require the umpire to seek help from the other umps when a manager challenges his call. The only reasons I can think of that Hudson didn't ask for help last night was sheer arrogance on his part and him not wanting his bad call reversed.

    ReplyDelete
  27. C'mon Gio, grab that #20 and end this streak. And let Espi go 4-4 with a game winning RBI.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Redskins once again rip out my heart.

    ReplyDelete
  29. Stupid way to lose a game. Guys--KEEP YOUR COOL!

    ReplyDelete
  30. 8 pm starts: too long too wait for a game. Come on Gio.. go get #20.

    ReplyDelete
  31. I don't ever want media to complain about Nats attendance. Look at those empty seats in Atlanta.

    ReplyDelete
  32. friggin johnson is a one man pitch count killer

    ReplyDelete
  33. I am already needing the Maalox... That's how much I want Gio to win this. Now set down the Say Hey kid, Gio. GYFNG!

    ReplyDelete
  34. Espi's K streak ends at 8. I expect Danny to get that RH swing going.

    ReplyDelete
  35. Gotta say I like Francona more than Joe Morgan during these ESPN broadcasts.

    ReplyDelete
  36. Still miss Jon Miller a lot though.

    ReplyDelete
  37. After a long inning by Gio, Ian and Danny make two outs on two pitches. Sure wish they would have worked the count a little.

    ReplyDelete
  38. Ghost. As a long time skins fan I am done with football. Too much thuggery and selfishness in the sport anymore. That guy who threw the ball at the defender at the end should be cut tomorrow. These guys only care about themselves.

    ReplyDelete
  39. blovy8, yah I got sick of Joe Morgan's favorites. Lacked impartiality.

    ReplyDelete
  40. I'm with wasian man. Though I WAS watching today, first time in years. Strikes me that football is for impatient people who can't sustain a long season with many, many games. Mostly I was watching because what else was there to DO before baseball tonight? I'm going to be useless the next few weeks. I can see that now.

    ReplyDelete
  41. lots of good baseball games with playoff implications, the cards/dodgers game was good. Tampa made the Yankees sweat a bit in the end of that game too.

    ReplyDelete
  42. Secret, all true but still bleed burgundy and gold on the weekends just won't blog and waste time on stating the obvious as they played stupid to lose that game.

    ReplyDelete
  43. Gio's not getting past the fifth at this rate

    ReplyDelete
  44. Too much nibbling to Minor and everyone else. Be a power pitcher Gio just like you did on the K pitch to Minor.

    ReplyDelete
  45. JabeB, Wasian - I've watched so much baseball and so little football this season that today the contrast between the two games was ever so striking. To me, at least.

    ReplyDelete
  46. Ayck! We need Gio to get some 1-2-3 innings so he can notch the 20th win for us AND him. His stuff looks good. Are the Braves just better? What's up?

    ReplyDelete
  47. I actually think the Braves are the better overall team..Davey's edge over Freddie has been a big part of the reason the Nats are in 1st...But as for the rosters, I'd give a slight edge to Braves on talent...

    ReplyDelete
  48. Swift, if I go position by position I think you're smoking whacky weed.

    ReplyDelete
  49. 3 friggin 2 to everyone, he'll have 100 pitches by the fourth

    ReplyDelete
  50. Braves strategy seems to take multiple pitches and drive up the Gio's pitch count but Gio isn't helping himself. THROW STRIKES

    ReplyDelete
  51. I agree with swift. Braves are better. They are proving it in this series. I think the nats are in big trouble.

    ReplyDelete
  52. bourne would be crazy not to run here

    ReplyDelete
  53. The nats are better than the better braves. The Braves are playing slightly better this series. One run games with a couple of mistakes and a big blown call by the ump doesn't make the Braves all of the sudden better than 7-10. All the games count

    ReplyDelete
  54. ugh, the mouse pad betrays me

    ReplyDelete
  55. It's close Ghost, I'm not talking stats, just on who you'd take on your team...Freeman, Heyward, Medlin, Kimbrel, Simmons, are all under 25 and really good already...Add McCann and Prado, that's a lot of good players...

    It's close

    ReplyDelete
  56. Braves better in comparing positions with Bourn and Kimbrel and when McCann is healthy. Not sure I would take any others as I actually like Werth better than Heyward right now and I would take Medlen over EJax.

    ReplyDelete
  57. LaRoche has been great this year, but I'd still take Freeman...The Nats seem to have loaded up on the young arms, and the Braves have the young bats...

    Either way, these 2 teams are going to be having a lot of big series in the next few years

    ReplyDelete
  58. Swift, Now you got one Legion of Doom member in a frenzy.

    ReplyDelete
  59. At this rate, Gio won't even be able to qualify for the win even if he doesn't give up a run.

    ReplyDelete
  60. Haha..My bad! There I go ruining it for everyone again! Lol...I'll go back to my corner now

    ReplyDelete
  61. Swift, their infield next year is just Freeman with problems at their other 3 spots unless Prado moves to 2nd.

    ReplyDelete
  62. there's your run. he would have walked one in eventually tonight.

    ReplyDelete
  63. What's with our pitchers and big pitch counts early these last few games? Just seems like we get into so many three ball counts. LannEn is the exception.

    ReplyDelete
  64. Once again the Nats pitchers inability to get ahead in counts is killing them. At this rate Gio is going to have to throw about 300 pitches to get a complete game.

    Bad time of year for the team to turn flat. Need that breakout game.

    ReplyDelete
  65. never throws inside, these guys are too comfy in there

    ReplyDelete
  66. I think Simmons is a player at SS...Prado will fill in at 3B or 2B I guess? You're right, they'll still have some holes...But they're still going to be tough..

    ReplyDelete
  67. This is no surprise, the Nats always play poorly on network TV.

    ReplyDelete
  68. 1 0. Braves. That should just about do it. The sweep is complete. And legion member 5 is going to bed.

    ReplyDelete
  69. I didn't realize Moore's arm was that bad

    ReplyDelete
  70. ehay2k, Braves are using the Yankees strategy on working the pitchers although Det did a good job.

    ReplyDelete
  71. 2 isn't going to be enough. But they'll probably get more off the bullpen.

    ReplyDelete
  72. I smell a choke.

    Nats look intimidated again.

    Someone better teach these kids how to close the deal.

    ReplyDelete
  73. I've stated the obvious here before.

    Moore is a country boy slugger - that's all.

    He stinks at First Base -- horrible in Left -
    and his arm is a noodle.

    Let's move this one dimensional chump.

    ReplyDelete
  74. The outfield doesn't come natural to Tyler Moore. Bo needs to teach him how to crow hop. That throw was pretty weak.

    ReplyDelete
  75. 2-0 and some of you are throwing in the towel? Sad

    ReplyDelete
  76. Gio did well against Uggla to throw strikes. May be the first batter out on a one ball count.

    ReplyDelete
  77. i'm out. They never seem to win when i post here.

    ReplyDelete
  78. Ah, I feel better now that I know the Forum Police are here -- Swift.

    Everyone be sure to have your posts filtered, edited, and approved by Swift.

    ReplyDelete
  79. Nice to see 2 hits to right by Ryan tonight after the 0-8 start to the series

    ReplyDelete
  80. Werth showed how the Nats were going to attack Minor tonight with his first-pitch ambush attempt. Seemed an odd tactic for Werth. But it appears that was the team's strategy - attack Minor early.

    ReplyDelete
  81. I think you're right ehay...when guys are striking out as often as the Nats have lately, they're reluctant to take a lot of strikes..afraid to fall behind

    ReplyDelete
  82. Kinda wished Espi had just fanned there instead of eating that DP pill.

    ReplyDelete
  83. Or another first pitch hack. Sigh.

    ReplyDelete
  84. Espi killed that mini opportunity quicker than I could write BE PATIENT ESPI

    ReplyDelete
  85. Maybe Espi just has to start bunting.

    ReplyDelete
  86. Haha..he's actually not a very good bunter either!

    ReplyDelete
  87. Maybe Espinoza should start sitting.

    ReplyDelete
  88. Hey folks I have a poll question for you all.

    Would you rather poke yourself in the eye with a sharp stick than listen to to Orel (If there was ever the right name for this guy) Hershiser?

    Myself, pass me the sharp stick.

    ReplyDelete
  89. Secret, read what I write this morning on Espi.

    ReplyDelete
  90. Bobby, it's bad but others worse than Orel....like Joe Morgan.

    ReplyDelete
  91. Yeah, Uncle Joe was bad. But Hersh is just so condescending. Must've graduated from the Don Sutton School of Broadcasting and Ego Enhancement.

    ReplyDelete
  92. Nats lineup so different without Morse. Espi in the 6 hole is bad.

    ReplyDelete
  93. secret you are a liar, you said you were going to bed.

    The Braves look like the confident team right now (and why not) which I guess you get from years of winning.

    ReplyDelete
  94. Good - didn't want Gio on the bases.

    ReplyDelete
  95. Bobby, true and Orel is better behaved than usual. Letting Francona talk more.

    ReplyDelete
  96. And I'll take the ESPN team over the Braves announcers any day. According to them they are building a new wing on to the Hall of Fame for all of their roster.

    ReplyDelete
  97. EPPN guys way better than the morons yesterday on fox. Actually giving the Nats some props.

    ReplyDelete
  98. Uggla positioned perfectly for Werth.

    ReplyDelete
  99. In 1982 or so heard an interview with Jim Palmer. He at the time averaged 1 BB ever 40 innings. He said someone at Elias stats people told him that a leadoff walk scored 70% of the time. A leadoff hit including home runs only scored 40%of the time.

    Tonight we have 2 leadoff hits Bourn in first, Zim's in the 4th. Neither scored. Bourn leadoff walk in third scored.

    ReplyDelete
  100. Dan: So who would you pick for Cy Young, right now?

    Orel: Gio.

    Dan: Why?

    Orel: More wins. Winning team.

    Brilliant.


    ReplyDelete
  101. Finally at a computer. My how things got negative around here. Just don't understand how a 2 run deficit brings out the turncoats.

    ReplyDelete
  102. ESPN announcers totally missed the Bryce was pissed the ball bounced over the wall. He wanted a triple, and would have had it. To left center!

    ReplyDelete
  103. No one on Zim gets hit man on and he cant advance him. What has gone on last 3 games.

    ReplyDelete
  104. The non advanced runner did score on laroche'S ground out.

    ReplyDelete
  105. They were pitching Zim inside so tough to move him to 3rd but the lack of contact on Zim's part has been the problem all weekend.

    ReplyDelete
  106. Hey, no complaining about so-called Legion of Doom when the number one complainer (Swift) said the Braves are the better overall team. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  107. Thank desi good to see 2 people execute this game

    espi you are due. homer please

    ReplyDelete
  108. Espi: can you produce some thing in this series?

    ReplyDelete
  109. If Danny can hit a dinger here, Gio can get the win!

    ReplyDelete
  110. Desmond gets contact. Keep in mind Desi is deadly with 2 outs and runner on 3rd.

    ReplyDelete
  111. Espi's head flies wild -- long bat -- slow swing.

    he will K

    ReplyDelete
  112. that's the way to use your head, Desi. Good read; good job.

    ReplyDelete
  113. Section 222 said...
    Hey, no complaining about so-called Legion of Doom when the number one complainer (Swift) said the Braves are the better overall team. :-)

    September 16, 2012 9:59 PM
    __________________________________

    Just reading through the posts. What's up with that?

    Swift, seriously? Its comparing them today to the Nats today, not what it looks like in 2013 plus the Nats rotation will be even better next year.

    ReplyDelete
  114. Ha it took the great Espn announcers to the 4th inning to tell us that Gio was going for his 20th win.

    To make up for it, we've heard it 4 more times since.

    Give me FP and Bob any day of the week.

    ReplyDelete
  115. NatsFanJim said...
    that's the way to use your head, Desi. Good read; good job.

    September 16, 2012 10:03 PM
    __________________________________

    Really? Its called going on first move. Atlanta was just smarter. They obviously guessed right.

    ReplyDelete
  116. Good thinking, Desi! Espy won't K. :)

    ReplyDelete
  117. Gio gives another leadoff walk.

    ReplyDelete
  118. Yeah, I said it was close, but I think the Braves have more overall talent on the roster...The Nats have better starting pitching, and I think Zimmerman is the best player on the field...but the Braves have a lot of talented guys under 25...I agree that that could change by this time next year

    ReplyDelete
  119. Here we go: A leadoff walk scores 70% of the time. We shall see.

    What is it with Gio. He can pound the zone -- then he nibbles, nibbles and nibbles. Just throw strikes, Gio.

    ReplyDelete
  120. That leadoff walk is now at 3rd -- no outs.

    Gio is fried, cooked, baked, and cooked.
    Get him the Frig outta there.

    ReplyDelete
  121. Good boy, Davey. Next time, Gio, Man Up and throw strikes. What a waste of talent.

    ReplyDelete
  122. Well, Davey gave Gio a chance. Can't argue with that, made it hard on Stammen, though.

    ReplyDelete
  123. Gio with a quick meltdown. That leadoff walk is just beyond horrible. I can't stand it. Give up a single, fine, but a free pass is unacceptable.

    ReplyDelete
  124. Obviously not the dominate Gio, but he's kept them in the game...Going to be days like that sometimes...

    ReplyDelete
  125. No way Gio should have started that inning

    ReplyDelete
  126. Right now, our Forum Policeman, Swift,might be right.

    The Braves starting pitching is stronger than our/s -- and hands down, their bullpen is stronger.

    If we meet them in the Playoffs, well, good luck to us.

    ReplyDelete
  127. This game will be delayed in about 4 minutes.

    ReplyDelete
  128. Interesting year: Both Gio and Jax have done extremely well. But both of them melt down immediately and suddenly.

    Edwin especially.

    Throw strikes, dude.

    ReplyDelete
  129. I dont like stadiums that dont have fans directly behind the plate.

    ReplyDelete
  130. At least Davey didnt bring in Gonzo.

    ReplyDelete
  131. NatsFanJim said...
    Throw strikes, dude.

    September 16, 2012 10:12 PM
    ____________________________________

    Rizzo got 5 hard throwers for the Opening Day roster where they could be aggressive and throw to contact.

    Gio goes too often on the corners. I don't get it.

    Be aggressive and attack the strike zone. Frustrating.

    ReplyDelete
  132. NFJ, they led off the broadcast talking about Gio going for No. 20. They did call Espinosa Uggla once, and had Jesus Flores coming up to bat at one point. Plus, it took until this inning for them to notice that it was raining. Plus, they love Chipper way too much. But let's not go overboard on the criticism.

    ReplyDelete
  133. Very nice...possible momentum shift

    ReplyDelete
  134. Great job, Craig Stammen!!!!

    Look, Gio was great in the 4-5th innings. There was nothing wrong with sending him out for the 6th. Maybe should have taken him out after the walk, but just shows you how much Davey trusts Stammen.

    ReplyDelete
  135. Ha ha yep, 222 let's not go overboard. You forgot to mention that they called Stammen 'Staymen' -- hmm now that I think about it, Davey does that too. But Davey is nearly 70 so thats his excuse.

    ReplyDelete
  136. How hanson,medlen,minor,hudson and maholn are better than strass,gio,zimm,det and e-jax?

    ReplyDelete
  137. Uggla popped up in a 3-0 count. How bad is that!

    ReplyDelete
  138. Escape that leadoff walk.

    Still 5 days sober of Maloox. Though this poor batting exhibion contines I am afraid I will fall off the wagon

    ReplyDelete
  139. Great band name:

    Craig Stammen and the precipitation extrication.

    ReplyDelete
  140. Uggla is perhaps the most overrated player in mlb.

    ReplyDelete
  141. 2 inning game right now...Probably not scoring in the 9th

    ReplyDelete
  142. Get em this inning boys or we are looking at o flayerty, venters and kimbrel

    ReplyDelete
  143. Nats Fan in Brazil said...
    How hanson,medlen,minor,hudson and maholn are better than strass,gio,zimm,det and e-jax?

    September 16, 2012 10:19 PM
    ___________________________________

    Agreed and how is:

    Simmons better than Desi
    Freeman better than LaRoche
    Chipper better than Zim

    I'm not even sure stone hands Uggla is better than Espi although I pass on both. Werth has a better OBP than Heyward.

    I only take Bourn over Harper since we're comparing today's lineup.

    ReplyDelete
  144. Drew: I dont know about that band name. Say it fast and with a couple of beers in you and you could really get in trouble.

    ReplyDelete
  145. Inside they know where to pitch this rube.

    ReplyDelete
  146. ExposedinDC said...
    Get em this inning boys or we are looking at o flayerty, venters and kimbrel

    September 16, 2012 10:22 PM
    ___________________________________

    Kimbrel may have the day off.

    ReplyDelete
  147. Seeya Espi -- low IQ chump.

    I would bet your money that Espi's IQ is in the middle 80's.

    ReplyDelete
  148. Here's another dumb player, Moore.

    ReplyDelete
  149. Well, Lancelot Link led the Evolution Revolution.

    ReplyDelete
  150. Ghost Of Steve M. said...
    Uggla popped up in a 3-0 count. How bad is that!

    September 16, 2012 10:19 PM
    ___________________________________

    It was awful. He really helped Stammen as he couldn't throw a strike to that point.

    ReplyDelete
  151. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  152. Stammen's momentum immediately gone with Espi K.

    notice he couldnt bunt either.

    Moore swings at a ball then didnt run until way to late.

    The execution is bad, but starting to wonder about focus for some of the hitters. Ball hit right at pitcher and batter thinks he foyled it. Seems odd.

    ReplyDelete
  153. 545 ABs, 174 Ks in 2012. Career 1286 ABs, 369 Ks. You do the math.

    ReplyDelete
  154. Gonat, I didn't mean today's line-up, and I agree the Nats have the best rotation...But I think the depth of talent is a little better...If there were a draft of the Non-Pitchers, I'd take Zimmerman and Harper in the top 5, but most of the top 10 would be Braves...Heyward, Prado, McCann, Freeman, and i think Simmons is good...I think the Nats have the better young arms, the Braves the better young bats...Going to be some great battles...

    ReplyDelete
  155. Natsfanjim To u criticeze moore and espi só badly u got be An amazing ball player! Good Luck for u when u start playing in The majors

    ReplyDelete
  156. In fact, we have lots of dumb players or low IQ's playes who have trouble learning the game. Lets list them.

    Dumbest Nationals
    Bernadina
    Espinosa
    Moore
    Desi
    Henry
    Strasburg
    Flores
    Burnett



    smartest Nationals
    Werth
    RZim
    Suzuki
    Lombo (smart at baseball, doubt he reads much)
    LaRoche
    Stammen
    Storen
    All the starters except Stras

    Not sure
    Morse
    DeRosa
    Clippard

    ReplyDelete
  157. A double in the 9 th last Tuesday last hit by Espi.

    ReplyDelete
  158. NatsFanin Brazil: Your'e right, I do. Tell me where I'm wrong.

    ReplyDelete
  159. NatsFanJim that's a lot of wunderlics you have administered

    ReplyDelete
  160. NatsFanbrazil: I was an amazing ballplayer.

    And the older I get, the better I was!!!!

    hahaha

    ReplyDelete
  161. For the series so far Nats 18 for 90. .200

    second series in the last few weeks against Nl east team we hit like crap.

    ReplyDelete
  162. SC: the wonderlic is an apptitude test. I would give one to every player.

    ReplyDelete
  163. Oh Criminy -- Please Lord, don't let them bring in Burnett!!!

    If so, the game is O-V-E-R

    ReplyDelete
  164. As good Stammen was last inning he starts this one awful.

    McCatty needs to focus next year on eliminating leadoff walks and. how to get starters to pitch less pitchers per batter. Weakest part of pitcher's game withou a doubt.

    ReplyDelete
  165. Zim whiffed on that ball. Unreal.

    ReplyDelete
  166. Burnett enters game fresh off yet another Rzim Error.

    This game is O-V-E-R -- My guess: three runs will cross.

    ReplyDelete
  167. Manassas Nats' Fan said...
    As good Stammen was last inning he starts this one awful.

    McCatty needs to focus next year on eliminating leadoff walks and. how to get starters to pitch less pitchers per batter. Weakest part of pitcher's game withou a doubt.

    September 16, 2012 10:37 PM
    _________________________________

    That was actually a one out walk but still bad.

    ReplyDelete
  168. Lead off walks drive me Nuts. Nibbling at corners and giving up walks after going 0-2, drives me even more Nuts.

    We do that too often.

    ReplyDelete
  169. Lets consider trading Rzimm ande getting something good, get rid of his huge contract and his countless errors -- get rid of his injury plagued seasons --

    and hope rendon can do the job.

    ReplyDelete
  170. NatsFanJim - from what I know about the test it shows your ability ot learn; I'm not how smart you have to be to learn how to hit a ball if you have natural talent.

    Bourn safe, Nats can't catch a break right now

    ReplyDelete
  171. Burnett didnt fool Heyward one bit. a rocket to first.

    ReplyDelete
  172. ADD stricken La Roche goes Brain dead

    ReplyDelete
  173. Rendon will be our second baseman. What you are seeing with Espinosa is all he will be.

    ReplyDelete
  174. Sorry SC: I dont think you're smart enough to discuss this topic.

    hahaha (joking)

    ReplyDelete
  175. What is with the Nats relievers just giving bases away

    ReplyDelete
  176. SC I think he can get better, (espi) but 200 K's a years is absolutely Unacceptable!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  177. My mistake. But goes to my relief pitcher rule. never walk anyone as a reliever.

    Of course Zim allows Bourn to third. One thing to make error but to allow some one to go 180 feet on a ball hit 80 feet no excuse. 5 errors on Zim in 2 weeks

    ReplyDelete
  178. Hit in the wallet. That's great. Orel's comeback, "Wallets are big here too, Dan"

    ReplyDelete
  179. Burnett update:

    lets a run score
    hits a batter

    typical

    ReplyDelete
  180. No Christian Garcia in to pitch to Uggla.

    Davey, you are either nuts or Lazy or just old

    ReplyDelete