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Associated Press Bryce Harper, battling the flu, managed to collect four hits last night. |
And Bryce Harper still managed to go 4-for-5 in the Nationals' 6-1 win over the Marlins last night.
Go ahead and add another noteworthy chapter to the 20-year-old's ever-growing book of accomplishments.
Sidelined the previous night with flu-like symptoms, Harper reported to Marlins Park yesterday afternoon feeling better but still not 100 percent healthy. He could have sat once again, but he insisted to manager Davey Johnson he could start the series finale.
"No, I wanted to play," he said. "My team needed me out there today, and I think I could have helped the team win today. ... I don't really care if I was sick or not, I was going to go out there and play."
Harper clearly didn't look healthy on the field. His face was expressionless, his moved as little as possible in left field and he frequently had to compose himself after exerting too much energy.
"I thought he was going to die every time he went up there," Johnson said. "And then he got a hit."
Indeed, Harper played as though nothing was wrong. He roped three singles and a double, even legging out an infield hit to drive in a run. In the process, he improved to 5-for-6 with two homers and a double this season against Marlins right-hander Ricky Nolasco, who came away duly impressed.
"It's to the point where I make a good pitches, and now they're still falling [for hits]," Nolasco said. "I just hope he doesn't turn into Chipper Jones for me, where every time I break his bat or even make good pitches it's still a hit. I'm going to be seeing him a lot, so I'm looking forward to the challenge of getting him out more than he gets me. Good hitter. Great hitter."
Harper, now batting .364 with a 1.090 OPS for the season, said his toughest challenge was staying hydrated, especially when he couldn't keep much food or drink down.
"The whole game I was struggling a little bit," he said. "The second inning, I went down and hacked a little bit and got some things out of my system."
Harper has every reason to believe he'll be back to 100 percent in time for Friday's series opener against the Mets. He was, however, very much looking forward to spending the off-day sleeping in his New York hotel room.
"I think Friday I'll be fine," he said. "Thank goodness we have an off day tomorrow, so I can rest all day long and hopefully get some food in me inside my body. I think I'm behind in that category right now from yesterday."
71 comments:
NatsLady said...
Ghost, it's that or The Shutdown. Pick your poison. If the Nats were in last place, no one would care.
April 18, 2013 9:53 AM
That's a great point now that you mention it. Verducci covered it almost like a "cover-up". Only in DC!
Harold Reynolds though is probably right. Don't try to change what works most often with Zim which is his side-arm. Harold thinks everyone wants him to throw over the top and it's been hard to watch too many times. They are also correct that if LaRoche wasn't scooping over there for him the errors would be even greater.
Amazing baseball player...that is all
Teddy, you can say that again. He was pale and later talked about how dizzy he was. Just amazing. We are lucky to have him!!!!
Harper is amazing. 4-5 coming off of an 0-fer 13.
When Harper is bashing and doing his thing he is such a great catalyst for this team.
Unfortunately Nolasco schooled Zim on his way to 0-4 with 2 K's. Low and in, out and away to chase. Zim has to make adjustments and it starts with stepping into the batter's box. Another game with no outside plate coverage as he can't reach it.
http://www.brooksbaseball.net/pfxVB/cache/numlocation.php-pitchSel=445060&game=gid_2013_04_17_wasmlb_miamlb_1&batterX=22&innings=yyyyyyyyy&sp_type=1&s_type=3.gif
When RZim is in a groove, he serves outside pitches to right-field. Can't hit what you can't reach.
The dude is a cyborg.
Ghost Zim is in a funk right now, but no doubt he snaps out and when he does he can carry the team.
Harper never ceases to amaze. The idea that he could go 4-5 on a night where he vomits mid-game, including legging out an infield hit to drive in a run with two outs, is just mind boggling. We are so lucky to be able to watch his talent develop over the next five years.
Have to disagree with Harold Reynolds. He tried throwing mostly side arm a few years ago and it wasn't pretty, or effective. I agree that you don't change what works, but it never worked. He needs to fix that overhand throw or he'll never be a GG player again, and will be headed to 1B sooner rather than later.
SCNatsFan, you are right on RZim. We have seen it before. I just wish someone would shove him 3 to 4 inches closer to the plate.
Here's the deal on Detwiler that nobody is talking about. He has never thrown a pitch in his entire MLB career that was classified as a SLIDER until last night.
Gonat pointed it out last night and I believe he modified it to a slurve which is more of a hybrid. According to official Pitch F/X he threw 7 sliders last night.
Am I missing something here? A pitcher throws a brand new pitch and not -one- member of the media bothered to ask him what's up?
http://brooksbaseball.net/player_cards/player_card.php?player=446321
Who starts Friday, Espi or Lombo?
I'm thinking Espi's next start is Monday against the Cards...
If the Nats sit Lombo after this week, they are not the tough-minded baseball people we think they are. Lombo is the second baseman of the future; Espi is some other team's shortstop and .220 hitter.
Tough minded? Funny -- I'm sure many here remember when lots of folks were screaming that we get rid of Desmond, because Espi was the SS of the future.
Look, the front office has a record of sticking with guys who they think will blossom into big talent. They stuck with Desi, with Detwiler, etc. It works out more often than not -- but nobody can predict the future perfectly. I suspect they will stick with Espi & Haren for a while, too -- because they're patient.
Espi won't hit .175 all season -- for two reasons: either (a) he can hit better; or (b) if he can't, he _will_ see his playing time reduced eventually.
"Who starts Friday, Espi or Lombo?"
Both. Z'man gets a blow.
Espi won't hit .175 all season -- for two reasons: either (a) he can hit better; or (b) if he can't, he _will_ see his playing time reduced eventually.
Or c.) He will go get the rotator cuff fixed which is why he ended up with the strike outs and poorer batting average last season.
Just like Zim can't reach those outside pitches because it'll probably take until June before he gets comfortable with that shoulder again.
I guess having Lombo breathing down his neck caused Danny to decide to go with PT instead of surgery and a longer recovery. In the end Lombo is a starter true. But, I think he missed his shot when the Nats tried to trade for Upton as Rosenthal reported. AZ must have liked Prado better.
Another trade will come along for Lombo and Mr. Kobernus and perhaps Mr. Walters will be brought up at some point. Its pretty clear they've picked Danny so GET USED TO IT! The issue was further forced when he decided to forego the surgery. Who is going to trade for Espinosa and his floating rotator cuff? No one.
Theo, interesting you say that and I was thinking there's going to be some changes and it's easy for Davey to rationalize as in Zim's hamstring is barking.
This showdown of the Rookie Harvey with Stras will have Stras in Opening Day mindset as I think MLB Network has it as their showdown of the week. Even when Stras doesn't have his best stuff, he can be effective with a great defense behind him as we would've seen Saturday until that fateful error.
As I have always said with Espi, when he struggles at the plate he is still giving you great defense and hustles.
Z'man has three things going on right now: (1) the hamstring is barking, (2) the sight on his rifle is off about ten degrees, and (3) he isn't hitting (which I think has something to do with No. 2). A day off would help at least No. 1 and, if there is any concern about that issue at all then he should take two days off. My personal experience is that hamstrings don't "cramp." Calf muscles cramp -- not hamstrings.
Earlier in the evening it was Tom Verducci (who did he play for?) and Billy Ripken threw in his 2 cents.
Last night it was Harold Reynolds who is advocating Zim throw everything sidearm and just stop trying to throw over the top.
BUT his old manager Manny Acta had the smoking gun segment. When Zim is right his throws start from behind his ear. The same in basketball you want to hit dead swishes every time? You start from behind the ear ball STRAIGHT not cocked. They showed Zim doing it the right way from back in the day. Then they showed Zim today with the ball way behind his back so that he had to hurry to get even easy plays off. Manny said Zim has had this problem all along and had to work his way out of it ... and usually did. He felt Zim could do it again and if he couldn't then the Nats would have to do something about it.
and good to have Suzuki too. He had a purty good night me thinks. What a bench...a long flight up from our old professional hitters like Matt Stairs
peric said...
But, I think he missed his shot when the Nats tried to trade for Upton as Rosenthal reported. AZ must have liked Prado better
Give me a little bit of credit as I broke that before Rosenthal or anyone had any story that Arizona was shopping JUpton which the DBacks kept denying and of course did trade him.
CBS Sports saying the Nats are secretly worried about Ryan Zimmerman. Worried is very subjective. We are all worried.
Peric, interesting that even Manny Acta is weighing in on it as an analyst.
Give me a little bit of credit as I broke that before Rosenthal or anyone had any story that Arizona was shopping JUpton which the DBacks kept denying and of course did trade him.
Yes, I remember ... but Rosenthal verified your theory well after the fact. And filled in some other details. Such as how the signing of BJ Upton for such a lucrative amount caused the Nats to stagger back a bit. They were in on that as well ...
Atlanta through down the gauntlet in front of the Nats the day they signed BJ Upton. And every move and every win since then has seen the same. They are winning all the battles.
Peric, interesting that even Manny Acta is weighing in on it as an analyst.
Steinberg picked up that analysis and posted it on his sports bog. I can see why ... its the smoking gun. But, again, if you listen to Acta this isn't anything new and different. Its the same old Zim just now he's had a shoulder surgery ... is that what's keeping him from getting the ball up where it belongs before he throws? Can he work through it the way he did before or is the aftermath of the surgery affecting him?
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/dc-sports-bog/wp/2013/04/17/baseball-tonight-on-ryan-zimmermans-throwing-issues/
Peric @11:07 thanks!
Repeated from the last thread, since the subject has come up again here:
I love me some Lombardozzi, but thus far he hasn't beat out Espinosa. Everyone prattles about how lousy Espinosa was last year, but the fact remains that he was better, both defensively and offensively, than Lombardozzi. Defensively Espinosa has more range and a better arm - he is truly a SS playing 2b (which is a good thing).
The kicker is offense. Yes, Lombardozzi had a higher batting average, .273 to .247. But they got on base at about the same pace (Lombo .317, Espinosa .315). And because Lombardozzi had so little power, Espinosa's OPS (.717) was significantly better than Lombardozzi's (.671). That power has value. And the value is enhanced by the fact that Espinosa (20/6 SB/CS) is a better base runner than Lombardozzi (5/3).
So long term, Espinosa has shown that he is better defensively, offensively and on the basepaths than Lombardozzi. Anyone who wants to ignore that based on two weeks of baseball is a fool that doesn't understand the concept of small sample sizes (right now, Evan Gattis and Chris Johnson in Atlanta are Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig; that won't last either). Lombardozzi still isn't drawing many walks, and so his OBP relies heavily on his batting average - which in turn relies heavily on an unsustainable .381 batting average on balls in play. When that regresses, so will Lombardozzi.
Now, is it possible that Lombardozzi eventually takes the job away from Espinosa? Sure. If Lombardozzi develops more patience and power at the plate and Espinosa can't right the ship, a change will happen. But that time is not yet, and likely wouldn't occur for another month or longer.
My personal experience is that hamstrings don't "cramp."
In my personal experience: it has happened to me a few times. Pretty rarely -- but it's happened.
Espinosa's OPS (.717) was significantly better than Lombardozzi's (.671). That power has value.
BUT, is the power still there with the rotator cuff issue? That remains to be seen. But so far so good with 4 doubles and 1 homer there is some glimmer of hope. But he often looks like he still has the same problem he had last season when he injured it and no one knew he had it! As Davey put it he's a really tough guy so he can play through pain but that doesn't mean it won't affect his hitting.
In my personal experience: it has happened to me a few times. Pretty rarely -- but it's happened.
Happens to me all the time when my Potassium/Calcium levels are reduced after heavy exercise. Plus my wonderful back / nerve issues likely contribute. And not just the hamstrings! Have to pop a lot of calcium and potassium tablets ... :)
John C., absolutely on Lombo vs. Espi last season on the final tally as Lombo slumped towards the end of the season.
This season is a new season and has nothing to do with last season, do you ride the hot hand?
Lombo is hot now. I'm looking at this point in time.
Davey needs players that give him defense and offense. The dropoff from Espi to Lombo at 2nd is very small and intangible. You can't pick one play this week that Espi would have made that Lombo couldn't.
Sure. If Lombardozzi develops more patience and power at the plate and Espinosa can't right the ship, a change will happen.
He did manage to make himself a lot bigger this season ...
John C., you make some good points. Lombo is a scrappy hitter, and I love him. If you need a single with two outs in a clutch situation -- I feel pretty good with him. But anyone's eyes can tell you that his swing is, sometimes, punch and judy. That inside-out swing that, so often, gets singles, grounders up the middle, flares that land between the infield and outfield, etc.
But, hey, Lombo's young, too (he's 24) -- and he put on a bunch of weight and muscle. Perhaps he has potential.
In any event, thanks for bringing some reality into this, and reminding us of last years' stats. I had _no idea_ that, despite batting 25 points lower than Lombo that his OBP was only .002 less.
BTW, speaking of young: Espi will turn 25 next week. He's also young.
Espinosa serves two roles: the highest ceiling second baseman you could find in the major leagues. Plus, a guy who can be moved over to shortstop if necessary and you wouldn't miss a beat. In fact Espinosa just might be the better shortstop. That's extremely high value. Espinosa is a good enough athlete where you could move him pretty much anywhere except for catcher if his bat every comes around. That is not the case with Lombo.
Friday starts a marathon for the Nats who play 17 games in 17 days.
25 healthy players needed.
Thanks for the info on Acta's comments peric. Very interesting. He's one guy whose opinion I actually respect on this. (1) he was an infielder himself back in the day, so he knows something about throwing the ball at a professional level; (2) He managed Zim and is familar with his throwing problems dating back many years, so he's not going to exaggerate out of ignorance how good Zim was early in his career; (3) he has no reason to protect Zim, unlike all the Nats announcers and players, but also no reason to make stuff up.
Of course, only two managers in history have managed more games and had a lower winning percentage than him. But that's neither here nore there on this issue.
Also of note, Roger Bernadina is officially lost at the plate and has no options left so he's going to have to figure it out and figure it out quickly.
I hear JC Romero is ready in Syracuse. Can we trust that somehow Romero has re-invented himself? This will be interesting if/when Rizzo makes some changes in the bullpen.
Fernando Abad is also ready in Syracuse and is throwing mid 90's. He might get called first.
Romero doesn't have options. Does Abad? Abad is also pitching well there.
I just think it's time to DFA Henry and get Romero or Abad and see if it works.
Ghost Of Steve M. said...
Friday starts a marathon for the Nats who play 17 games in 17 days.
25 healthy players needed.
Against some tough teams, too: 11 straight games against Cards/Reds/Braves!
I just think it's time to DFA Henry and get Romero or Abad and see if it works.
They haven't given up on Henry yet. He has no options. But Storen does. Mattheus does. Its still early, but you're right Davey can't avoid using Duke and H-Rod. Both could be replaced by Abad and Romero. Storen has to stop imploding. He could be sent to the minors to work on things and replaced by Romero and Abad. Clippard's arm is still a question mark ...
Wonk, exactly. On an off-day and entering Week 3, it's time to make a tweak or 2.
I'm with Peric, Abad or JC Romero is worth a try. Davey needs a lefty stopper who could go a few batters. Stammen hasn't been a stopper so far.
Peric, I think Duke stays a while longer but he looks awful. Davey won't use him in a key situation and he also won't use Henry in a key situation.
Ghost, if Detweiler is occasionally throwing a slider, it's a different kind of 'in-the-zone' slider than what we normally see from pitchers.
Be interesting to hear from him on the subject.
On Henry (As opposed to O Henry), I'm still going to go on the faith of his great slider, and great FB.
But, I know where you are coming from, as well as many other NI girls and guys.
I think Duke stays a while longer but he looks awful. Davey won't use him in a key situation and he also won't use Henry in a key situation.
But -- doesn't every team have guys like that? You need _someone_ to pitch mop-up duty, and/or games where you're winning 10-3 in the 8th.
Doc, it's fascinating on Detwiler as he is evolving as a player right in front of our eyes, and now has swagger and confidence.
He absolutely shut the Braves down last week and Cincy during Opening Week.
Hopefully MARK ZUCKERMAN reads this and gets us some intel on Det's new pitch, be it a slider or slurve.
BTW, Det is in line for Tuesday facing St. Louis. I just want to see Det pitch 'em like it is Game 4 2012!
Wonk, yes, you need a Duke as a mop-up but Davey has no other lefties other than Duke and there has already been a couple of instances in the Reds series where you needed a lefty who can shut them down.
Peric I have to disagree with you. Espi's rotator cuff problems did not cause him to strikeout - it caused him to strikeout even more. Even with a 100% healthy shoulder he's a K machine every season since he was drafted.
Most pitchers have a similar grip between their curveball and slider. It's the difference in delivery with the hand with the angle of the wrist and forearm.
The velocity drops from fastball to slider to curveball.
It looked to me like Detwiler's slider last night was about 1mph higher than his normal curveball and generally I'd expect more seperation in MPH which is why I'm thinking it was a hybrid slurve.
A month ago I was scoffing at Peric suggesting they send Storen down. I still don't think it will happen but the reality is he DOES have options and he DOES look lost. I just wonder how he would handle that? I am resigned to the fact that Henry will be gone soon and it does look like both lefties at AAA are doing well. Davey just can't stay with a 5 man bullpen, it won't work with what is coming up.
Hate to get all physiological but briefly, any muscle has the capability to cramp. Causes are usually fatigue, lack of fluids or as Peric noted a chemical imbalance. Usually the larger muscles rarely cramp because there are plenty of fibers to keep firing as the contract. I have my doubts that it is cramping due to what our crack medical staff has done in the past. You see players cramp and return in lots of sports once they are stretched and the fibers relax and they get the right fluids. The way Zimm ran the night before was a concern and when they announced "cramping" I was not sold. This could easily be a slight pull or strain.
Go Nats! Win the next series!!
Seamhead, I meant to note this in the game thread--good one. Time enough to count it when the dealin's done, I hope.
Joe Seamhead said...
Wow, I just dropped in to see what condition our condition was in. Looks good in here. Carry on, you all are doing a fine job!
April 17, 2013 8:01 PM
Actually recorded by Jerry Lee Lewis before the First Edition and Kenny Rogers.
Maybe I should start hitting the game threads again, especially if they are winning.
A few thoughts -- We've known all along that Duke was going to be long man, not a situational lefty. Davey's going to keep sending him out there in the 5th or 6th whatever the score, and maybe in the 7th to close out games that aren't close, one way or the other. Until he starts showing better results, H-Rod will pitch only in mopup situations, or when we're behind and the bullpen has been taxed (which it's definitely going to be over the next 17 days.). The first replacement from SYR, for injury or extreme ineffectiveness will be Romero-- it's going to take more than a few good outings for Rizzo to change his conclusion about Abad (that's he not yet ready for the bigs).
Those non-fastballs we saw from Det last night were his curveball in my view. It just doesn't break as much as Gio's. The key thing is velocity. Guys who throw a 94 mph two seam sinker or 96 mph fastball don't throw a slider at 80 mph. It's fascinating how effective Det's sinker is. It's doesn't seem Wang-esque in terms of sink.
Marlins.put Hecchevaria on the DL.
Hechevarria to the DL and Stanton is back for the fish. They have 3 HRs as a team this year.
Glad we missed Stanton, although we only won 2 out of 3 anyway.
Hey Wonk:
I wanted to read your posts about your daughter's communiques and I have some time...on what thread will I find them?
Thanks!
harp -
still ill?
chill. take a pill.
love you still
for your iron will
(had time to kill)
gyfng
The notion that your second baseman must be a home run hitter is rediculous.
Ghost Of Steve M. said...
Doc, it's fascinating on Detwiler as he is evolving as a player right in front of our eyes, and now has swagger and confidence.
He absolutely shut the Braves down last week and Cincy during Opening Week.
Hopefully MARK ZUCKERMAN reads this and gets us some intel on Det's new pitch, be it a slider or slurve.
According to Fangraphs, Detwiler threw curveballs from 2007-11, but then has thrown sliders since last season (12.6% in 2012, 6.1% in 2013).
I won't be at this weekend's series in New York, but I'll ask Ross about it next week when the team gets back to D.C.
Nicely done, waddu.
Here you go, 3on (hat tip to ask.com):
Texts from Daughter Wonk
Last year I chronicled the amazing transformation of my 17-year old daughter from "don't like sports on tv -- period" to complete Nats fanatic, who, within months, could recognize each Nat by face (even with a catcher's mask on), and could still tell you last year's pitching rotation and full Nats starting line up.
What was particularly hilarious last year, was that everything she knew, she knew only from watching Nats games. And so, while she could tell you that Ankiel strikes out on high and outside pitches, she had no idea what "The American League" was until interleague play (and still doesn't get the DH rule).
Anyways -- a few folks asked me to keep writing about her. I've been stumped about what to write.
Until today.
Last night I was in a meeting during the game (from the 3rd inning until the 7th), and she kept texting me about the game to keep me up to date. I posted three screen captures here -- they are the hilarious texts of a now 18-year-old who is an amazing fan (giving her dad the warm and fuzzies).
Her enthusiasm is just such a high level of youthful purity -- it's awesome.
Check them out here (id info removed). The conversation is starting with her description of Gio getting thrown out at second.
They get progressively better -- so check out all three:
http://s24.postimg.org/6yho1qjs5/nats_texts_1.jpg
http://s24.postimg.org/od1wa0gx1/nats_texts_2.jpg
http://s24.postimg.org/7zhwqv0rp/nats_texts_3.jpg
April 10, 2013 5:02 PM
Hey Nats fans; Just wanted to stop by and say hello, was here at the inception (or close enough) of Nats Insider. Came over when Pudge did, didn't leave when with him. Just watching and reading from afar. Nice to see the team doing well and also see how you guys/gals have kept this alive and kicking. Hats & caps off to you all. Oh, by the way found another Washington team to root for the Redskins(Kirk Cousins born & raised 10 miles from my home.#HTTR :-)
Thanks for stopping by, K.D. Does your Pudge fandom date from his days in Detroit? I recall your posts, if so (as "Tiger Lily," maybe?). Nice to "see" you.
Also, our humble blog host gets credit for keeping this thing alive and kicking. :-)
Well, for keeping it alive. We've been doing most of the kicking.
And screaming.
You are the best 1a. Thanks!
You're welcome, 3on.
I'm going to hold my breath until my face turns blue, sec3. :-)
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