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| Photo by USA Today |
Game in a nutshell: For all the breaks and good fortune the Nats were receiving over the previous three days, everything came up Cincinnati and early on Sunday. Ten of their 11 hits off starter Ross Detwiler were singles as the Reds were just hitting balls where Nats defenders weren’t. On the mound, however, nothing was lucky about Tony Cingrani’s performance. The young lefty struck out 11 Nats batters, the most for a Reds rookie since Johnny Cueto did so in 2008. He was spectacular and probably benefitted from facing the Nats for the first time. The Nats finally got to the Reds’ bullpen for two runs late, but it wasn’t enough. Blown chances were the story of this game.
Hitting lowlight: It’s hard to single out one guy in the Nats order when everyone had so much trouble against Cingrani. But because of his recent stretch, Adam LaRoche gets the honor after continuing his hitless streak to 26 at-bats. LaRoche went 0-for-4 on Sunday with three strikeouts and four men left on base as his second K came with two outs and the bases loaded.
Pitching lowlight: Just by watching him, it didn’t look like Detwiler was very off today or that he didn’t have some of his best stuff. But the Reds made contact often and kept getting singles to fall. They had 11 hits off Detwiler including ten singles and four that didn’t reach the outfield. One went off the third base bag, one off Detwiler’s thigh, one was a bloop right over the lefty’s head, and the fourth just a well hit ball that Rendon couldn’t get to first fast enough. Detwiler finished with 5 IP, 11 H, 4 R, 3 ER, BB, 3 SO.
Key stat: LaRoche’s hitless streak now at 26 consecutive at-bats, 13 of them being strikeouts.
Up next: The Nats head to Atlanta for a four-game series. Stephen Strasburg (1-4, 3.16 ERA) is set to pitch with Julio Teheran (1-0, 5.48 ERA) taking the ball for the Braves. The Braves aren’t nearly as hot as they were when they came to Nats Park a few weekends ago so we’ll see if the results are different for Washington.
93 comments:
Won the series, that is good.
Win the next one too?
Sundays 0-4 outscored 22-5.
Harper on Sundays 2 for 13. But great 4th at bat, after his worse at bat of the season on second at bat. Strike down middle, bunt 100 feet foul, then swing at one a foot high.
GYFNG!!!
How many idiots do we have on this site that claim they can tell Rendon is not ready because of 6 games. Espinosa has had 500 games...is he ready??? Rendon is a player. He has great plate discipline, a great stroke, and is a very good fielder. I would take him over Espinosa any day of the week. Not even close. A hit, a line drive out, 2 walks and a great barehanded play. What do you people propose...that he rots in AAA for another 300 games until LaRoche leaves???
Will a beat reporter have the cajones to challenge Davey about this game? First, starting LaRoche (who should be benched for the forseeable future) and then the horrible, lackadaisical way his team played today.
This was a winnable game that was given away be complete disinterest (and starting the awful LaRoche).
We made last 3 Sunday look lik Cy Young day. We need to hit these pitchers.
Rendon is fine, pressing the throws maybe, but has a good eye.
Alphabet Soup Erik said...
How many idiots do we have on this site that claim they can tell Rendon is not ready because of 6 games. Espinosa has had 500 games...is he ready??? Rendon is a player. He has great plate discipline, a great stroke, and is a very good fielder. I would take him over Espinosa any day of the week. Not even close. A hit, a line drive out, 2 walks and a great barehanded play. What do you people propose...that he rots in AAA for another 300 games until LaRoche leaves???
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+1 The game was moving fast for Rendon and he made some mental errors. He's now looking much more comfortable. Batting .200 with a .304 OBP
PChuck said...
Will a beat reporter have the cajones to challenge Davey about this game? First, starting LaRoche (who should be benched for the forseeable future) and then the horrible, lackadaisical way his team played today.
This was a winnable game that was given away be complete disinterest (and starting the awful LaRoche).
April 28, 2013 5:12 PM
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0-26 and now is 7+ days without a hit for LaRoche and it was the perfect day to start TyMo against the LH pitcher.
Danny has put together 2 poor performances. He got a hit which was nice and that's how BABIP works when you make contact but he is still batting .178 and got RH at-bats today.
If LaRoche needs to sit - and he does need at least a rest, I think - Rendon doesn't seem to be the answer. It would be a comparable level of defense at third (good range, iffy throws), and maybe worse at first as Zimm would need to learn the position and the angles on the fly. Weakening the infield defense, as iffy as it's been so far, is risky.
If he is healthy - if - you don't break out of slumps sitting on the bench.
LaRoche was terrible at bat again, but stellar at first. Still think he's worthy of the start with the occasional 1-game benching to help keep the batting slump from creeping into his D.
MicheleS said...
I have been the biggest ALR supporter, and I think he needs to sit for a few games. If he isn't hurt, then he needs to clear his head.
April 28, 2013 4:46 PM
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We went through this last year with Ryan Zimmerman where he was going through a 5-49 slump and it turned out to be his shoulder.
If Ryan came clean earlier, then maybe he could have received the cortisone shot earlier.
Are we going to look back at LaRoche the same way when he finally says he's injured or keep blaming it on this ridiculous theory that he's a slow starter.
As for Espi, he needs to get back on the horse at second...at least he had some good hits this series.
"If Ryan came clean earlier, then maybe he could have received the cortisone shot earlier."
Zimmerman received at least two cortisone shots before the one that finally took hold up in Baltimore. He "came clean" plenty early enough. And BTW, that's a terrible expression. You're just showing your ignorance when you use it.
Feelwood, you don't even know which 5-49 slump I was referring to. All I know is in every interview I heard from Ryan leading up to the admission that he received a cortisone shot was that he was fine.
Since you are smarter than all the other posters here, what do you suggest with LaRoche?
I blame Jewett for the loss.
The other consistent player today was Henry Rodgriguez. 3 walks, no feel for the strike zone and thanks to Mattheus only 1 earned run.
This was a game the Reds just wanted to give back to the Nats and they wouldn't take it.
Well, Zimm didn't come clean to us, but that doesn't mean the team didn't know. Players have no reason to discuss injuries publicly, as then the other teams know your weaknesses.
Gonat, agreed. One of the sloppiest games I have seen.
Oh and I think HRod's time has come to leave this organization. I have supported him long enough but realize that this guy is not going anywhere with us. cut him or trade him and get romero or someone worthy up here.
EmDash said...
Well, Zimm didn't come clean to us, but that doesn't mean the team didn't know. Players have no reason to discuss injuries publicly, as then the other teams know your weaknesses.
April 28, 2013 6:12 PM
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I guess its possible. You see teams do that in football but not usually in baseball.
>>If he is healthy - if - you don't break out of slumps sitting on the bench. <<
What if he never gets out of the slump? You've lost too many games to catch up and you're the 2011 White Sox.
Morse just homered to remind us.
Harper needs to work on hitting power lefties. It will come. I try to figure out why LaRoche and Espi are in the game, but I just can't see it. Espi is not a major league hitter, and 1 HR every several weeks is not going to change that. Rendon's eye is good, but his debut has been less than impressive. Zimmerman's inability to consistently play, however, is the 800 pound gorilla facing this franchise. His right-handed bat was needed behind Harper today. All-in-all, I'm happy with the series as the starting pitching has settled down. My fundamental concerns - a whole in the center of the lineup and bullpen problems - still exist. I still think this is a .500 team.
Morse homers in the bottom of the 8th. Now Mariners lead 2-1
I was watching Gonats too.
If you decide to owe each other drinks I think I owe you one from earlier ;)
poor grammar on my parr.
I was watching tje Marinets' game too, Gonats.
Thsts bettet
Chris Davis just hit a HR that is hard to imagine. Drops the bat head and seemingly swung 1 handed.
Saying "cut or trade" Rodriguez and bring up Romero is like admitting that your Aunt Petunia would be an improvement. Save the heave-ho for some time when you can actually make the team better. My beef is with putting Rodriguez in any game in which the outcome is anywhere in doubt. Putting him in today was bad; leaving him in for three BB was, to put it politely, a senior moment. But we don't need to replace Rodriguez with the Puerto Rican Ron Villone.
I am shocked that we lead MLB in errors. It's the same infield! I always felt that they were very secure. What is up with that? Other than that I feel that the bullpen is in disarray. It has been messed with and has not fallen into place yet. HRod-- sigh.... I understand that ALR has to play to break out, but I think at least a platoon. TyMo needs to play to break out also. And he is the future.
One thing this team is not. It is not a 500 team.
When you have one of the best starting pitching staffs in the league, you are a 600 team. We are playing 500 now without Zimm and Ramos and with two glaring holes in the order. I think LaRoche will break out cause he always does but am not confident in Espi. IMHO, Lombo is a much better number 2 hitter.
And the bullpen is better than average with Soriano and Stammen, Storen and Clippard
I am very pleased Nats went 3-1 verse a very good team, Nats proved they can beat quality teams,
Now, ALR is a huge disappointment this this season. There was a reason no other team offered him a contract and why Rizzo was hesitant. Huge mistake and he really should be sat down, he is an AUTOMATIC OUT in the batting order!
Mick you are so correct. This guy is an absolute momentum killer. He rarely even puts the bat on the ball. Got to sit him. Especially against lefties
Secret wasian man, thank you.
What really stinks about ALR's hitting is that his hits are not even competitive, they are crappy little dinks that hit home plate
ALR makes Dave Winfield's 0-18 in 1981 World Series look like nothing
"ALR makes Dave Winfield's 0-18 in 1981 World Series look like nothing"
Except, LaRoche is doing it in April.
Nats need to win Braves series, plain and simple. If the don't,I do not want to hear about it is only April crap
Didn't McCutcheon just go about 0 for 25??
Eric and baseballswami
ALR is a veteran player, stop defending him, I mean for real!!!
Even Espi hits from the left side now and then and is almost 8 years younger. I will cut a young player slack, not a vet who just signed for an absurd amount of money!!! I will cut Rendon slack, not ALR
and I dont want to see ALR do this in May!!!
Oh, I'm not defending his hitting. His hitting is atrocious.
But, I think it's absurd to completely ignore his stellar fielding, just as it was with Espi until these last 2 games.
I also think it's absurd to compare a WS-long slump with an April slump.
jeffwx said...
I think LaRoche will break out cause he always does
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I guess you agree with Davey as "always" one day will become "he used to always". Is that day now or a year from now or 5 years from now?
This is the worst start to his career. This myth about him being a slow starter is when he was batting in the low 200's or 2011 when he was legitimately injured.
What troubles me is he didn't know his own body in 2011 with the shoulder and who really knows now.
I still think it will come out that he was playing with a bad back or oblique.
Also, I couldn't care less about the money. All of these guys make insane amounts of cash. A slumping power hitter is painful to watch regardless of what they're pulling in.
Re: LaRoche breaking out, I agree there's no reason to think that it's a guarantee simply because it's happened before. But, imo, the guy has the right demeanor (even-keel) to come out of it. I think in a couple months we'll all be sighing with relief when we talk about his performance.
Eric.
ALR is a gold glove fielder, I know that. However, his hitting is unacceptable to me because he is vet. My comparison to Winfield in 1981 is simply that the Yankees, like the Nats paid a lot of money and were counting on him to at least hit the freaking ball now and then. In Winfield' defense, the stakes were higher, in ALR's case it is only April and why he is 0-26 tells me he is washed up. I think he is terrific guy, I love him and all he has done for the NATS, but he aged over the winter, it happens and it is time to play Moore. I really think he is washed up
Eric said...
Oh, I'm not defending his hitting. His hitting is atrocious.
But, I think it's absurd to completely ignore his stellar fielding,
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Stellar fielding? What are you selling? He is a great glove man on the base with decent range. Votto is stellar fielding. LaRoche got a Gold Glove because Votto was injured much of last year, the Padres traded Adrian Gonzalez to the American League (until they traded him back to the NL) and Pujols signed in LAA.
I can't remember a time he turned a Web Gem. His true value is he can scoop short hop throws. He has missed now 3 or 4 stretch plays off the base and a few grounders off to his right.
People didn't offer LaRoche a contract because they'd have to lose a draft pick, generally. Regression from last year was expected, but no one thought his production would fall off a cliff.
EmDash... teams that felt they were a bat away from contending would have given up a draft pick for ALR, if they thought he couldproduce his 2012 numbers. Case and point, the Orioles. He would have been a perfect 1b and DH for them. But Showlater I believe sensed that 2012 was the peak of ALR's career. Buck was 100% correct!
"ALR is a gold glove fielder, I know that. However, his hitting is unacceptable to me because he is vet."
Again, I make no bones about his hitting, I'm just not nearly so dismissive of his fielding. Taking him out of the line up--for another slumping hitter no less--has repercussions on the other side of the plate.
I think it would be an interesting exercise to see how many runs LaRoche may have saved us already this season.
He stretched to make a lot of plays today, though. And rescuing bad throws is what we most need out of a first baseman, honestly.
The next seven games will probably be a big decision point, I think.
LaRoche is rated by Fangraphs as 7th in the MLB at 1st base. I don't see him being even that good this year and not sure how you rate the 7th best guy since much of Fangraphs is subjective but I don't call that stellar.
http://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=1b&stats=fld&lg=all&qual=y&type=1&season=2013&month=0&season1=2013&ind=0&team=0&rost=0&age=0&filter=&players=0
Eric... I understand, but with all due respect, does it matter how many runs ALR saved with his glove in the 4 games the Nats were shut out? lol
"Stellar fielding? What are you selling? He is a great glove man on the base with decent range. Votto is stellar fielding. LaRoche got a Gold Glove because Votto"
So, let me get this straight: winning the gold glove because of an injury to one guy who might be better than you makes you...what? Average in your position? I mean, is the GG just a throw away award or something?
Look, I know far FAR less than a lot of people posting here, but that logic doesn't compute for me. Sometimes, I think people are missing the forest for the trees.
Why does Grandpa start the pathetic Laroche against a tough left hander when he has Tyler Moore available. I swear Grandpa has brain damage!
Sure EmDash, 4 games against the Nats biggest rival in Atlanta.
Keep thinking the same ole way and you will think yourself back in a hole.
Some of you act like Tyler Moore doesn't play with a glove. Moore is batting .364 in the games he has started and Davey disrespected him on Wednesday in one of TyMo's starts by pulling him against a RH reliever and replaced by LaRoche who of course struck out.
Gonat.... BINGO!!!
Mick: at least you went from Denny McLain to Dave Winfield. Still puzzled why you need to compare players to the past? LaRoche is not hitting. Plain and simple. It's not like 1970s or 1980s players. Just have to hope he figures it out or Davey starts to platoon him but remember, he is solid defensively. I, like others, think he is hurt.
I am with Faraz that our 3rd base coach cost us two runs and makes things much more interesting if we are down one run instead of two or three.
"Eric... I understand, but with all due respect, does it matter how many runs ALR saved with his glove in the 4 games the Nats were shut out? lol"
Does it matter how many he saved in 1-3 run wins?
"I am with Faraz that our 3rd base coach cost us two runs and makes things much more interesting if we are down one run instead of two or three."
I agree with this. What the f*ck was he thinking? DAMN! You're the eyes, coach!
"Look, I know far FAR less than a lot of people posting here, but that logic doesn't compute for me."
Trust me. You know a hell of a lot more than Gonad does. That's for certain. Pay his rants no mind.
I am actually not seeing stellar this year yet. I am seeing good, not great. Kind of funny that someone thinks I am " defending" him. I just think he is not healthy which is making him suck. As opposed to just suddenly being terrible for no reason. And I am all for patience, but he is definitely an automatic out and this is really going on for a very long time. I am surprised that pitchers are not walking the hitter in front of him. Still some respect left over from last year. How can someone fall that far so suddenly? I just don't get it. Espi I get-- more of the same, but without the glove.
Eric, LaRoche was and is above average but I don't think many outside of DC look at him as a stellar fielder because of his range and athleticism. He is great at scooping balls on the bag.
Also consider that he came off of a season with a Gold Glove and a Silver Slugger and as a Free Agent, where was the buzz on LaRoche?
"Espi I get-- more of the same, but without the glove."
Was really bummed to see him fall off the last 2 games. I guess that's the trade off for 3 good hits in 4 games ;).
sjm
this what makes baseball the greatest game in the world to me. we can compare eras and we can compare players and seasons. they have been playing 162 games for 53 seasons now, before that they played 158 games. you still got to hit the ball at 90 plus miles and hour and Ted Williams is right when he said the hardest feat in sports is hitting a baseball.
by the way, Mays, J. Robinson, F. Robinson, Mantle, Reggie, Koufax, Ford, Cobb, Gehrig, etc... could have played TODAY and at the same level. So I will make comparisons that I feel are relevant, even if you do not.
"I don't think many outside of DC look at him as a stellar fielder because of his range and athleticism."
So, the GG is awarded by the home-team crowd that votes the most or something? Again, your logic eludes me.
I don't hold it against LaRoche that he hasn't kept our left infield error free. They've been working his ass off this season.
Gonat - you mentioned the game that TyMo started and got pulled for ALR to pinch hit. I was really shocked and appalled at that move. I felt the kid was playing well, did everything right. Bad , bad message to your young players. Do everything well and right and get pulled for someone who is underperforming. That move made no sense to me. Can't just forget about developing your future team. Especially when Moore was more likely to help win the game at that particular moment- not last year, this year.
sjm
I am at least getting closer, from 1971 to 1981... now let me get even closer and go to 1997 with Palmero. And the comparison gets even better because Raffy played 1b like ALR. I believe Raffy was 0-20 in the ALDS
I just think it's a mistake to be too reactive if LaRoche is healthy, that's all. The Braves are a good team, but they're mortal too. You could be right. I just haven't given up hope yet.
mick, why do you keep comparing an April slump with slumps that occurred during consequential off season series?
Ahem...off season = post season in my post @8:15 ;).
"I just think it's a mistake to be too reactive if LaRoche is healthy, that's all."
Agreed. Especially if the D is solid.
So how about that Harper kid?
Eric, I was thrilled LaRoche won the GG last year but I never thought he was the best. That guy Votto was but because he only played in 111 games I believe many voters didn't vote for Votto because of that.
According to UZR, Adrian Gonzalez was the best fielder in the MLB last year, but he got traded back to the NL.
Depending on the metrics you use on Fangraphs it looks like LaRoche has regressed in his fielding from last year.
EmDash, I'm glad you haven't given up hope, I haven't either. LaRoche is good. I just believe he's injured. That's the only reasonable explanation as I don't believe for a minute this is just a slow start.
"So how about that Harper kid?"
Ha! What can you say but "WTF?! I'm glad he's on *our* team!"
I think Bryce Harper is the one guy we can all agree on. The kid is incredible.
I hope all of our pitchers and catchers are watching Sunday Night Baseball.
Kruk says after the Strikeout of Gattis "Yah, nobody is pitching him hard and in anymore".
I kind of remember that here as the scouting report when he came to Washington and Strasburg pitched him hard and in and high and he crushed it.
Gattis is at .232 Hopefully the Nats pitchers make sure at the end of the 4 games he is batting under Mendoza.
OK, Gonat, Votto failed out of GG because he only played 111 games, yet here we are with 25 under our belt and people are saying the jig is up for LaRoche.
I still don't get it. But, whatever. I think we can all agree he's not playing like we've come to expect, and it's painful to watch.
Eric, that I can agree with. I want him to do well but I think like in 2011 he hid the true extent of his shoulder injury and is doing it again with his new ailment in his back/oblique.
Just as painful to watch him today as April 2011 and probably moreso since the team expectations were so much less back then.
By the way, the Braves BENCHED their CF BJ Upton in favor of Jordan Shafer.
Whether Shafer does better or not, it needed to be done.
The thing with the GG is that it is supposed to be strictly defense, but the guys with great offense get the attention. ALR would just not have won it had he not been so great offensively. Makes no sense, but that seems to be how it goes.
Gattis was new- the league will adjust to him.
>>>By the way, the Braves BENCHED their CF BJ Upton in favor of Jordan Shafer.<<<
The Phillies have been benching Ryan Howard lately and they owe him much more money and years than we owe LaRoche.
Yeah, Up until early August of '12 I was a very casual fan. I have always loved the team, but since I stopped playing baseball before 9th grade and stopped wrestling after 11th grade, I haven't been a sports guy. At all.
To get here, I really needed something to really sink my teeth into, and the pennant race was it. The NLDS g4 Werth walk off followed by the NLDS g5 collapse sank the hook in a huge way.
Anyway, point being, I was totally unaware of LaRoche's troubles back in '11. I really hope he's just slumping hard and that's all there is to it...but, we'll see.
Is it benching, resting, or giving the bench some at bats?
I'm not sure LaRoche is injured. I think he has a hole in his swing. His open stance always required perfect timing to get to the outside. That's why they always talk about him being a slow starter. He should be benched, and Moore should be in there.
I was surprised that LaRoche played today, I'll be more surprised if he doesn't play tomorrow.
it's a slump, albeit a pretty big one, he'll be fine.
watching Tigers hope they can hold lead.
God Bless the Detriot Tigers.
When we all concede, as with every player eventually, that ALR may have peaked and be on a violent downward turn that he never recovers? When? A month? 3 months?
#Tymofo1stbase2013
Thank you, Eric. We had social commitments tonight, but you have been doing a great job here. Keep the faith. For what it's worth, I thought Moore should have started today, but ALR was not the only reason, nor the primary reason we lost today. Look at the box score. How many K's were there? How many crappy infield plays were there from the left side? How many base running gaffes?
And to you all blaming the manager? I will be willing to bet that there are 25 guys in that locker room that would say to you, " You know nothing," and all 25 would be right.
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