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USA Today Sports Images Ryan Zimmerman scores the winning run in the top of the ninth. |
A double steal? In the top of the ninth inning? Of a tie game? With Ryan Zimmerman and Adam LaRoche on the basepaths?
"I would have thought those were the last two guys who were going to steal," said Tyler Moore, who was standing at the plate at the time and had no advance knowledge what was about to happen.
Hey, whatever it takes to manufacture a run. After Zimmerman and LaRoche shocked all 29,975 people inside PNC Park — most notably Pittsburgh reliever Tony Watson — Moore delivered the sacrifice fly that brought Zimmerman home and gave the Nationals a much-needed victory on a day in which Stephen Strasburg was better but still not at his best.
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107 comments:
They did look a bit steelier today. So Mark-- Zim ok? That ball hit him very, very hard.
Yep, he's fine. The ball hit him in the meaty part of his lower leg. He actually was laughing afterward because that was such a strange spot to get hit by a pitch.
Mark is Bryce okay?
Jeff Kobernus with 4 hits tonight. Now hitting .379
Clever title Mark!
Great to hear Zim's OK, thanks Mark.
"Ghost Of Steve M. said...
BigCat, Feelwoods new moniker Rich P aka Tony has nothing better to do then trying to cause controversy. I stand by what I said."
You've spent the last two days saying Zimmerman needed to work his way up the chain from Potomac to Harrisburg to Syracuse in rehab assignments until he proved he was able to hit again. Good thing no one else stood by what you said, or we'd have lost the game today.
In going over all the weird things that did happen on the game, I'm still wondering about something that didn't. Was anyone else as surprised as I was that Hurdle didn't send out his closer Jason Grilli for the top of the ninth? I thought it was practically standard procedure in the top of the ninth of a tie game at home to use your closer if available (and Grilli was--before getting the save last night he had last pitched Wednesday) since there can be no save? Don't know if Hurdle has any regrets but possibly he does considering what happened.
Every time the camera panned to Hurdle, he had a s*** eating grin on his face, no matter what was happening in the game at the time. Who knows what goes on in that guy's head?
Must be a bit confusing to the players. First Davey issues an edict to "man up", then he holds a meeting and tells them to "not put any pressure on themselves".
What the hey, we won a game!!
GooooooooooooooooooNats!!!
So how'd Davey do in the cage, apart from the blisters?
Did he get some good licks in??
Rich P, Troll alear! Why don't you give us another lesson on XRays. You will twist whatever you want. Yes, I said Zim should've gone on a Minors assignment and stayed until he was hitting and the preference was AA or AAA be it 2, 3, 4 or 5 days.
I still stand by that and what I said about Zim not covering the outside of the plate and yesterday was Day 2 of his rehab.
I also listed Zim as the 2nd best offensive player in the Nats system. Clearly when he is hitting he is a game changer. If today gets Ryan Zimmerman going, it should be good for the Nats.
Game changer is an apt description for Zim. In any given game, you just never know what aspect of the game he might go to in order to help the team. A very multi- faceted player. We really missed him at the center of this team. He is a critical element.
Due the crazy money grubbing arrangement with MLB and the national networks, I haven't been able to listen to Carp and F.P. lately.
Looking at Korbernus' stats, has F.P. uttered his patented phrase, ".....bring him up...!"
Zim actually seemed to be protecting the outside of the plate pretty well today.
Eric, Zim fouled off some pitches that were outside but didn't hit any fair. Both balls he hit were on the inside corner. Fastball in his 1st at-bat and a curveball inside and low in his 2nd at-bat.
I said protected the outside of the plate, not hit the outside of the plate ;)
Tyler Moore said in the post-game interview that he shortened his swing to make contact for that Sac Fly. He did the same thing in Game 1 of the post-season when he had that pinch-hit RBI oppo single. While he didn't have a great game he certainly came through in the end.
So much happened in the game they didn't even put Clip's doubleplay in the highlights.
It's 17-1 in Houston. Tough night for Bo.
Yeah, Moore stepped up.
"Ghost Of Steve M. said...
Eric, Zim fouled off some pitches that were outside but didn't hit any fair. Both balls he hit were on the inside corner. Fastball in his 1st at-bat and a curveball inside and low in his 2nd at-bat."
One of those pitches he fouled off was hit hard down the right field line. It bounced about two feet outside the line, otherwise it would have been an opposite field double. You need to back off your crazy rant that Zim stands too far back in the batter's box and can't cover the outside pitches. He's been lining up the exact same place his entire career, and he does fine with that. Like all players, he gets into funks at the plate sometimes, but he always makes the adjustment eventually. And that adjustment doesn't include moving closer to the plate.
Eric, I think of the term "protect" as a defensive approach in a 2 strike count. Maybe I don't understand what you are trying to say because in Zim's 5 ABs he had to only "protect" in one swing on the outside in a 2 strike count and that was in his 5th at-bat in the 5th pitch that he fouled off right before he was HBP'd.
Oh snap, totally forgot about Clip's DP! That was awesome!
Rich P. talk to FP and Bob since they said on Friday night also that he has moved further off the plate.
Well, true, ghost, but he certainly made some good contact to the outside, too, even if nothing landed fair. I have a pitchers won't take the outside black for granted going forward... but, we'll see.
New test for on air announcers. Pronounce Matt Vasgerian. How did FP survive it? Wish could tell us what it was really like. Probably hilarious. I will take Carp any day. Dude was awful.
From what I've read, Hurdle is an extremely old-school kind of manager and is reluctant to bring in his closer in a non-save situation and unwilling to use relievers outside of very rigid roles. Seems to drive Pirates fans crazy.
Eric, when Zim is going well he hits oppo with good power and they are staying fair. That causes the pitchers to come in on him where he hits so many of those "pull" HRs. This team's success on offense will be led by Zim.
davey hit well in BP
If Zim goes on a tear, it will spark this team. He is still the FOF, and he has a presence that is missed when he is not on the field
baseballswami, it would be nice to get Bryce well. Some well placed off-days for the Nats in the coming up week.
Lets see what Zimmerman does the next game and a few games after that. He got 1 hit today off of a lousy lefty. Big deal.
"Ghost Of Steve M. said...
Rich P. talk to FP and Bob since they said on Friday night also that he has moved further off the plate."
I heard that exchange, and you have it wrong. No one said that Zimmerman has moved further off the plate than before. They were talking about how his stance has him in the far end of the batter's box, which when his timing is off can make it hard for him to hit the outside pitch. Bob asked FP if Zim could move closer in to address the issue, and FP said no, because the pitchers would immediately pick up on him doing that and adjust to it. Basically, they totally refuted your contention that what Zim should be doing is lining up closer to the plate.
Bryce Harper is the new face of the franchise for most of the fans of this team. He has created a new fanbase that has a large geography. I dont doubt that the original season ticket holders still view Zimm as the face of the team only when you consider what you see at games there is more Harp jerseys.
No matter how much I get frustrated with how far back in the batter box that RZim stands( and believe me, I do get very frustrated especially when they keep pitching and getting him out with away pitches), I always remind myself that he has had the same stance at least since his professional career began and has been a very productive player with that stance and thats what he is comfortable with. So, if he is in a rut, at the plate, it is not necessarily because of his standing so far back in the batters box.
Great piece Mark!
Here is a test Ghost of Steve M. What flavor butt cream does Mike Rizzo use. If you are really tied in you would know this since you kiss his butt so much.
Hey Tayo unless you are measuring how would you know. I trust what Charlie and Dave say and they thought Zimm has adjusted where he stands by which pitcher is throwing just like having an open stance against the right handed pitchers.
Can we pause the ongoing discussion of Zim's batting stance and Harold, the drunk or mentally deficient play by play guy, and take a moment to appreciate the cool as a cucumber, tough as nails closer who is Rafi Soriano. The drama and snail's pace of Lidge/H-Rod/Clipp/Storen from 2012 seems a distant memory. With a great assist from Bernadina today, he put away his 10th save in 11 opportunities, and he has given up a total of 3 hits and no runs in his last 8 appearances. I just love watching that guy work. And untuck. Also enjoyed pointing out his conversation with his hat to the Pirates fans around me.
Oh, and PNC Park is just a fabulous place to watch baseball. I checked out the Pirates Baseball Club today, which is their version of the Stars and Stripes Club. Wow. Full of Pirates history (e.g., the suite are numbered by the years that the Pirates played in the World Series -- 1903, 1909, 1925, 1960, 1971, 1979, and are each decorated according to that time period. Lots of memorabilia from the glory years -- pictures, lineup cards, signed baseballs, Paul Waner's glove, etc. Excellent food, not just the standard ballpark fare and vendors you can find outside the club. Plus, I got a 16 oz. can of Yeungling at my seat for $8.25. That was nice.
Basically what you are saying Section 222 is that we should stop our discussion to listen to you talk about cheap beer?
Soriano certainly doesn't seem as cardiac over his full counts in a tight game as I am ;)
Also, "Soriano" was auto corrected to "Spiritsail" by my tablet. Somehow that seems very appropriate :)
"Can we pause the ongoing discussion of Zim's batting stance and Harold, the drunk or mentally deficient play by play guy, and take a moment to appreciate the cool as a cucumber, tough as nails closer who is Rafi Soriano."
Aren't you the same guy who was railing against the "cult of the closer" last season, and insisting that every time Davey brought in Storen or Clippard to close out a game he should have someone warming up in the bullpen behind them ready to bring in the very second they got into a jam? Why don't you think they should have someone warmed up behind Soriano every time he comes in? What flavor was the KoolAid you drank to join the "cult of the closer"? Orange, like the Gatorade they dumped on Julie Alexandria?
"EmDash said...
From what I've read, Hurdle is an extremely old-school kind of manager and is reluctant to bring in his closer in a non-save situation and unwilling to use relievers outside of very rigid roles. Seems to drive Pirates fans crazy."
I have a friend who is a Pirates fan. They are easily driven crazy. That's what 20 straight losing seasons will do to you.
Good gracious, this isn't even a game thread.
Lighten up, people. It's just baseball.
@Harpo
Its probable that Zim makes some minor changes to his stance but the foundation of standing that far back in the batters box doesn't change that much. We only begin to notice it and become frustrated when he is scuffling at the plate.
Wow. Why am I not surprised that the Real Feel would take off his Rich P. cloak to take a shot at me? I haven't been around all day, and stayed out of your dispute with Ghost, but you just can't resist, can you? The very sight of my name seems to fill you with rage and loathing. If only I could change it to Rich Q or something. But I won't, so on your deathbed you'll be scrutinizing my comments to see if you can discern even the slightest apparent inconsistency so you can demonstrate your superior ... um, whatever it is you're demonstrating.
But since you ask, no, I haven't drunk any Koolaid whatsover. Hate the stuff. Always have. I still think that a closer should be removed if he is ineffective (like if he walks two batters in a row or throws a really wild pitch a la' H-Rod). I would have been perfectly happy to see Storen warming in the pen in case Soriano didn't have it today. He hasn't pitched since Monday, so what would be the harm? Fortunately, we now have an experienced and effective closer to rely on. And so the fact that Davey still belongs to the cult won't come back to bite us as often. When it does, I'll be sure to point it out.
Your memory is apparently good, almost as good as your ability to quickly change monikers to continue a charade that is fooling no one and annoying many. But you missed, or chose to ignore, the point of what I said last year. No surprise there.
"Section 222 said...
Wow. Why am I not surprised that the Real Feel would take off his Rich P. cloak to take a shot at me? I haven't been around all day, and stayed out of your dispute with Ghost, but you just can't resist, can you?"
Wow. Why am I not surprised that basically what you are saying is that you won't stand up for someone else because you don't have the backbone unless you are personally attacked.
You all act like you have each others back then you hate to admit that like the car accident you must look at you actually enjoy looking at the guy driving the luxury car all mangled and won't even help if he's injured. Way to go Insiders! I got your back!
NatsJack is that right and you know why? Here he is in typical outside pitch coverage.
I thought Manti Tayo said nothing changes much. Get out your metric ruler.
Zimm batting
Where is the Ghost. Is he still sleeping or is taking off today. Sucks going to sleep angry.
NatsJack is on the job bright and early and getting ready to discuss Danny Espinosa's stink and stank. Real mature. How old are you. Why don't you tell us the secret you told Rizzo about Danny not diving for balls. You know, the one you decided to share this week.
Even during wins it's becoming painful to read all the hate spread by Feelwood's many personalities on here.
Trying to prove you are smarter than the other guy (gal) by putting them down is generally not an effective debate strategy with respect to observers opinions of you.
Also, baseball fandom is not a zero sum game - why treat it so?
Whynat. Cute name. There are many people here as dense as rocks. You give them a stat and they want to tell you it doesn't matter because your bobblehead shook his head yes.
NatsJack on the other hand won't share on here until after the fact and then swears he told Rizzo in Spring Training or maybe that was Sandy Alderson.
Watched last night's 8th and 9th innings on the rewind. Brought to mind the following phrase:
"Old age and treachery will overcome youth and skill."
Wonder what else Davey has up his sleeve.
ArVAFan
NatsJack, I wouldn't agree with a thing you or the Ghost ever say. Remember Rule #1 applies to you as well.
You turn from a Danny Espinosa lover to running your pick-up truck over him. Does it make you feel good beating up on a player who is struggling.
Rule #2 NatsJack. It's a SUV. Did you suggest to Davey that he should have a meeting when you were in Washington last week or was that a suggestion to Rizzo.
That's what I thought NatsJack. You are the brains behind the operation not the Ghost.
Rizzo and Davey both come here and of course FP to read what you two have to say.
They told Zimmerman to move up on the plate so he could hit his triple.
Are you drinking already NatsJack or just lying again.
I'm not Feel. Just another Nats fan sick of your click.
Where were you to protect Ghost and 222 last night. Now they are watching you slither. Ghost is probably reading but got beat up badly last night. He was positive Ryan Zimmerman would suck for a while. 222 just wanted to share his beer story and watched as his buddy Ghost was attacked and admitted he didn't want to get into it. What a buddy!
That's right, Zimmerman got a hit because he could cover the inside of the plate just not the outside. Are the Pirates that poor in their planning that they didn't know where to pitch Zimmerman.
Easy to say now NatsJack. Did you say that at the time.
Analyze this picture for me.
Zimm swing on outside pitch
Your new name is Next Day NatsJack just like UPS. You deliver next day. I'm looking for same day service.
NatsJack, just ignore the Trolls. They only post here to anger people.
Wow. I just realized why I don't post here as much anymore. Too bad you can't block some people from this blog.
What's up with the early morning haterade? I guess we need a new post.
LoveDaNats, agreed. I used to come on a lot more. The in-game threads are brutal.
Rich P. aka Feelwood and his multiple personalities is just an angry man. He has it out for anyone who would dare to disagree with him.
My advice to NatsJack, SteveM and 222 is just ignore him. He takes everything out of context to try to make a point.
NatsJack you are correct. Martin was set up inside on Ryan Zimmerman. He turned on it and crushed it and the only question was whether it would stay fair. Zimmerman was only able to waste the outside pitches but for some reason they decided to come in. Good for RZ!
Knock it off. Everyone.
Hey Gonad good to see you. NatsJack was about to go down all by himself. I love how he makes the Russell Martin revelation today. UPS delivered! Tomorrow NatsJack will tell us about todays game. Brilliant!
I'm knocking it off. See you tomorrow.
Time for a New Post!
Gio & Wandy today. Hoping for Good Gio today!!!
The more I think about it, the more I think this double steal and beating the play at home might just turn things around for our guys.
Wow, what a lineup. 5 players hitting .220 or less, not to mention Bernadina who would love to see .100. I would be embarrassed to put that lineup on the field.
NatsJack in Florida said...
I'm jumping in on the Zim plate coverage thing for a minute.
I see Zim as able to put the barrel on that low and away pitch from where he is in the box IF HE KEEPS HIS HEAD IN.
When slumping, Zim has a tendency to pull off the ball a millisecond earlier than when he is raking. Every shot of him making contact when going right shows him staying on the ball through contact.
When he stinks, he pulls off just a milliseond too soon and usually fouls off the pitch, or misses completely.
There... I'm done.
May 05, 2013 6:44 AM
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Interesting and it would be nice if we had some video analysis to look at when Zim is raking and when he isn't. I always thought his load rotates towards the plate with his front leg to get his bat on an outside pitch when he is going well. Like you said, if you are pulling off the pitch you won't be real effective.
The good news is Zim is getting another Lefty today.
The batting averages are so low, they have to wear snorkles at the plate. :)
Nice baseline game, NatsJack... Just hang back, cuppa in hand, and return lob while Sybil spews and froths at the net... Hilarious...(tips his hat) ;-)
Rabbit34 said...
Wow, what a lineup. 5 players hitting .220 or less, not to mention Bernadina who would love to see .100. I would be embarrassed to put that lineup on the field.
May 05, 2013 9:33 AM
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How soon you forget and say what you want about Bernadina but he made a huge play in the 9th that probably saved the day with his defense.
As Freddi Gonzalez said about Jason Heyward when he was stuggling said that he's not hitting well but using his defense and baserunning to help win games.
Bernie's play in CF yesterday was worth 20 of his previous failed at bats. Especilly after the way we scored the go ahead run. That 9th inning was just what the doctor ordered.
After 2 games
Bill Ladson knows it all just like Ghost Of Steve M
Seriously! Rabbit! Harpo and all your former names! Even normal posters who are fighting with each other! CUT IT OUT. Go somewhere else to do that. This has been a great site for fans and I know I am not alone in wanting to keep it that way.
"UnkyD said...
Nice baseline game, NatsJack... Just hang back, cuppa in hand, and return lob while Sybil spews and froths at the net... Hilarious...(tips his hat) ;-) "
That's something to celebrate! A cuppa beer in your hand! Genius! NatsJack needs to spend his time figuring out ways to win. He can tell Rizzo that Zimmerman's head isn't on the ball on outside pitches.
JaneB is Feelwood.
JaneB, I'm being very complimentary of NatsJack and the Ghost. Collectively we can get the word to Rizzo to fix Ryan. Eckstein needs these guys. You probably were not aware of what they know on batting.
I agree with JaneB 100%
Now there are 2 Harpo's. Is Ghost messing with me. Fake Harpo at 10:08AM on the 2nd post.
Good morning to all my Nats fan imaginary friends . It 's going to be a great day for baseball. Just like every day that ends with a Y.
Man, its like a 2001 message board up in here. Very nostalgic. Thanks for the walk down memory lane, brawlers!
Zim ignited a spark yesterday. I saw the same spark last year when Bryce came up. ALR is showing signs of life and soon Ramos will gear it up. It's starting, guys. We will outpace the Braves by the end of May.
No desire to feed trolls, but I think Feel and all his aliases have a point on Zim. (Don't have a heart attack Feel.) And NJ's comment on keeping his head down perhaps inadvertantly supports it. His troubles may be more about his mechanics than where he stands in the box.
On the other hand, the picture posted by Feel/Harpo at 7:04 am sure looks like he's in the middle of the box, rather than at the extreme edge as we often see. I noticed the same thing in his last at bat yesterday. Is it possible that he inched just a little closer to the plate? Does he perhaps stand closer against lefties than righties? Maybe someone can go to the videotape and figure that out.
Not going to the game today so won't be posting more reports of beer prices. Sorry if you thought my comment was lame Feel/Harpo. Just wanted to share with my virtual friends what a great experience PNC Park offers. I'm sure MNF will concur. Well worth the trip this year, and for years to come I'm sure. If the MLB scheduling gurus are reading this (hahaha), please schedule the Nats here on a weekend again next year.
Section222, you don't know who has a point. Manti Tayo was the one who said Zimm hasn't changed his stance and place in the batter's box. I was proving him wrong with that photo.
sec.222 you post about beer prices anytime you feel so inclined.I enjoyed your report from Pittsburg.It has been a tough in here several times this season. Can everybody take a timeout with the personal attacks? Out of respect for Mark, each other and for ourselves? Good grief, most of us come in here because we're Washington Nationals fans. Jane B, your's is the voice of reason.
Sec 222, it's the same mystery like is Detwiler throwing a curve, a slider or a slurve.
Rich P. said...
"Ghost Of Steve M. said...
Rich P. talk to FP and Bob since they said on Friday night also that he has moved further off the plate."
I heard that exchange, and you have it wrong. No one said that Zimmerman has moved further off the plate than before. They were talking about how his stance has him in the far end of the batter's box, which when his timing is off can make it hard for him to hit the outside pitch. Bob asked FP if Zim could move closer in to address the issue, and FP said no, because the pitchers would immediately pick up on him doing that and adjust to it. Basically, they totally refuted your contention that what Zim should be doing is lining up closer to the plate.
May 04, 2013 10:53 PM
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Section 222 said...
On the other hand, the picture posted by Feel/Harpo at 7:04 am sure looks like he's in the middle of the box, rather than at the extreme edge as we often see. I noticed the same thing in his last at bat yesterday. Is it possible that he inched just a little closer to the plate? Does he perhaps stand closer against lefties than righties? Maybe someone can go to the videotape and figure that out.
May 05, 2013 10:27 AM
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Rich P. aka Feelwood is saying RZ isn't moving closer to the plate.
Per that picture you can possibly make a different conclusion. Rich P. aka Feelwood isn't going to agree with SteveM even if the evidence was in front of his face. He just wants something to complain about.
Section 222, I appreciate the comments live from a road game, they give me an added feel for what is going on in the stadium. Made me think about adding Pittsburg to the next road trip.
Thank you too JaneB for the sanity you continue to add here.
It has arrived.
Mark just tweeted that Russell Martin is playing 3B and Brandon Inge will be in RF? HUH?
Today is the day to bunt to 3rd base and let's see how good Russell Martin is as a 3rd baseman.
Eric said...
It has arrived.
May 05, 2013 11:00 AM
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Very nice. Is that the Grateful Dead/Nats combo?
"Is that the Grateful Dead/Nats combo?"
Yes indeed! Same graphic as my profile pic here.
Eric, did you design that?
I'd say "photoshopped" is more accurate. I put the two images together, made the colors match, and cleaned it up.
I have to credit the GD and Nats graphic artists for any actual design work.
lol, no.
JaneB....I don't understand your post about me. I'm not fighting with anyone. I just say what I want, if that is ok with you?
Fantastic Eric! Who'd you order the magnet from? I want one!
Eric... I'm stealing that for my profile pic on fb... Thanks!!!
Enjoy!
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