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USA Today Sports Images The Nationals go for two in a row at Petco Park. |
Now they'll look to keep it going tonight against the Padres' starter, a young man by the name of Burch Smith. Yes, Burch Smith. He made his major-league debut six days ago against the Rays ... and got knocked out after allowing six runs in one inning. So he boasts a career ERA of 54.00. Yikes. The 23-year-old right-hander, an 11th-round draft pick in 2011, did post a 1.15 ERA at Class AA, so he's obviously got some talent. But talk about being thrown to the wolves...
Gio Gonzalez gets the nod for the Nationals, looking to build off his really strong previous start in which he held the Cubs to two hits over seven innings but then was surprisingly pulled for a pinch-hitter and wound up with no decision.
Enjoy the game and the conversation. Chase will have you covered over the weekend, and then I'll be back on the case Monday...
WASHINGTON NATIONALS at SAN DIEGO PADRES
Where: Petco Park
Gametime: 10:10 p.m. EDT
TV: MASN2, MLB.tv
Radio: WJFK (106.7 FM), WFED (1500), XM 188
Weather: Partly cloudy, 64 degrees, Wind 7 mph LF to RF
NATIONALS (22-19)
CF Denard Span
LF Steve Lombardozzi
RF Bryce Harper
3B Ryan Zimmerman
1B Adam LaRoche
SS Ian Desmond
2B Danny Espinosa
C Kurt Suzuki
LHP Gio Gonzalez
PADRES (18-22)
CF Chris Denorfia
SS Everth Cabrera
3B Chase Headley
LF Jesus Guzman
1B Kyle Blanks
2B Jedd Gyorko
RF Will Venable
C Nick Hundley
RHP Burch Smith
UMPIRES
HP Vic Carapazza
1B Jeff Nelson (cc)
2B D.J. Reyburn
3B Lance Barksdale
238 comments:
«Oldest ‹Older 1 – 200 of 238 Newer› Newest»I' m first! Yay!
Oh, no. Seems like these new guys that we should obliterate always turn into Cy Young when we come to town.
If Smirh is no Cy Young then I see a final of Nats 5 Padres 3
Hope not, swami, but it does seem that way. What kind of name is Burch, anyway? At least it doesn't sound like a game show host, as with Mr. Barksdale.
Go, GIO! Go, NATS!! Let's shoot for a happy game results email. (Yawn.)
Fifth ....
(Da da da DUM!!!)
baseballswami is right. If it's not allowing Mr. Greinke to sail through his first MLB start in a month, it's allowing no-name rookies to establish themselves. It's uncanny, and darn frustrating to watch. By mentioning this so publicly, I'm hoping reverse psychology kicks in. But I ain't expecting it.
Relax...we really got this one!
Boy, are NAts Insiders emotional on the whole whole Anthony Rendon question! Haven't seen anything like it since they let Adam Dunn walk. Or the Jayson Werth signing...
I hope to wake up tomorrow morning seeing the Braves 1/2 game behind us. We really need to make up for not taking advantage of the Cubs and Dodgers. It starts..RIGHT NOW! LETS GYFNG!!!
I'll wager you're wrong on this one, Jack! We will have a few guys have appreciative increases in their stats tonight!
So, with a bit of time to spare before tonight's Oregon-Oregon State game (two NCAA top-10 teams), I decided to watch Burch Smith's major league debut on the MLB.tv archive. He got through a clean first inning (two Ks, infield ground out), but started the second with a walk and a two-run HR. There followed (if I remember correctly) another walk, a single, a single to load the bases, a two-run single, and a one-run double. At that point he was pulled and the reliever game up a sacrifice fly to account for the 6th earned run. The hits he gave up were solid; no flukes involved. I can't say he won't do a Cy Young impression against the Nats, but his inning-plus against the Rays was more Cy Vance than Cy Young. And, btw, Carlos Quentin is apparently on paternity leave for the next couple of games.
Cy Vance quit early, too.
Oh, and I meant to include that the Padres had spotted Mr. Smith a 2-0 lead before he threw his first major league pitch.
You're right NJ.
Predicting 'form' or baseball game outcomes is fool's errand. You could lose a lot of money doing that.
All you can hope for is a big W in the win column!
Yep, Eugene. That was a strange debut. Only four worse since 1916...
I'm with Joe S. -- relax, we got this. I predict Harp and Desi go yard, Gio shuts 'em down (you don't think he's ravenous after getting stiffed vs the Cubs?), we're up 1/2 game on the Barves tomorrow morning.
Burch Smith, making his second MLB start three hits the Nats. Nice R/L NJ.
If Greinke can deliver on his second rehab start who's to say.
Cy Young commeth.
LA up over ATL....and BJ Upton has to be the most expensive 8 hole hitter in baseball.
Speaking of light hitting back of the order guys-- Espi's back.
Nationals
1. Denard Span, CF
2. Steve Lombardozzi, LF
3. Bryce Harper, RF
4. Ryan Zimmerman, 3B
5. Adam LaRoche, 1B
6. Ian Desmond, SS
7. Danny Espinosa, 2B
8. Kurt Suzuki, C
9. Gio Gonzalez, SP
Padres
1. Chris Denorfia, CF
2. Everth Cabrera, SS
3. Chase Headley, 3B
4. Jesus Guzman, LF
5. Kyle Blanks, 1B
6. Jedd Gyorko, 2B
7. Will Venable, RF
8. Nick Hundley, C
9. Burch Smith, SP
Ryu struggling vs the Barves :(
BTW, sjm308? Corey Brown is back playing CF for the Chiefs batting in the 3-hole. But Ryan Perry got bombed and only lasted 2+ innings. Jeff Mandel is in now to hold the Clippers at bay until the short relief can be used.
If the Chiefs get Rendon. With Rahl now leading off, Kobernus 2nd, Brown and then Rendon followed by Marerro the Chiefs would have a pretty potent lineup. If only the pitching would match the early season expectations.
I knew would instantly make them better it woukd be Ben Zobrist.
Can't deny that's a good idea. The question would be (since he is currently with a DH-able AL team) where would you play him? Outfield or 2nd base? First base?
Meanwhile, Rizzo expected Jayson Werth’s slight tightness in his hamstring to keep him on the disabled list longer than expected.
Njack.....is the Nats Medical and Training staff the laughing stock of your Insiders Circle?
How can this go on year after year...they are completely clueless on getting diagnosis and treatment right even the 3rd of 4th time let alone 1st or second time.
And why won't Perez get a chance to start against someone not called Kershaw? I would guarantee he'd do better than a couple of others in the lineup.
Although JB I agree the nats DRs are a joke, I don't think hamstrings show up on any types of tests...and I've hurt mine before, the only thing to stop it is rest. No amount of stretching fixed it, I just had to have no running for 5 weeks. (I tried after 3 and it pulled again, a very disappointing flag football month.)
Speaking of injuries- and I wish we were not-- I heard Det had lower back spasms and then I heard oblique. Those two things are not in the sane location, are they?? What's up?
Off to California in the AM!! Napa followed by Nats vs Giants on Tuesday night! Hiking, biking, wine, beer & baseball. Am I missing anything?
Oblique's are the new dirty word in baseball....I hope not....but it is the side muscle I think, so it could all be connected. I imagine if he hurt one of them, he would make up the efforts in the other and injure both.
Correctomundo Swam!
Even though the knee bone is connected to leg bone, and the leg bone is connected to the ankle bone....lower back spasms and oblique strains can only be connected by Det's mind, unless, of course, he has separate injuries.
Speaking of injuries, the Rubber Tomahawk Throwers have recently lost 50% of their back end bull pen. Venters is having TJ surgery, and Walden has been put on the DL. And Kimbrel is having his problems.
Good time for the Nats to charge ahead!!!!!!
So, I'm listening to the Barves radio, and they have this and that promotion (including season tickets) and this and that contest. One of the prizes is "a year's supply of lottery tickets." How many is that? One a day?
Justin Upton just hit a grand slam to take the lea for the Braves...
Justin Upton grand slam. Thanks a lot, Arizona.
And why won't Perez get a chance to start against someone not called Kershaw? I would guarantee he'd do better than a couple of others in the lineup.
Its basically a choice between:
1. Denard Span
2. Stephen Lombardozzi
3. Eury Perez
Offensively these three are all the exact same player.
Span is left-handed making him advantageous to have against
a right handed pitcher. Plus he is a veteran CF and doing reasonably
well.
Lombo is a switch hitter who can hit against either kind of arm.
He's in his 2nd year as an infield UTL.
Perez isn't even a rookie. He's more a plug-in replacement on the bench
while Werth heals.
Next question?
Morse out of the lineup today with eye irritation---??
Michael Morse
http://seattle.mariners.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130517&content_id=47805136¬ebook_id=47815574&c_id=sea
Am I missing anything?
Music festival, wine/strawberry/etc. festival, car show, Osmosis for the aching joints afterward.
Notice Dodgers go to the bullpen and Braves immediately score 4 runs. Nats rarely score on thebullpen.
We will still win the division.
So the Dodgers beat us 2 of 3 and then have the absolute nerve to let the Barves get ahead of them?
Notice Dodgers go to the bullpen and Braves immediately score 4 runs. Nats rarely score on thebullpen.
Zim's bat is the catalyst. If he can avoid getting upset about his now mediocre fielding at third he can still produce big clutch numbers at the plate. If he continues to stay healthy and hit.
Desmond is also coming on.
Harper is just Harper. He'll hit if they give him something good as we saw last night. That's the problem getting him something good. With Zim hitting he gets something good.
Let's wait and see if LaRoche is truly back ... as Natsjack says let's wait until he gets over the .230 mark but that's Espinosa at the back of the lineup this guy bats FOURTH or FIFTH depending. He needs to get over .260.
We pitched better against the Dodgers 7 runs in 3 games.
I agree with Peric that Syracuse's pitching has been disappointing.
There are several promising hurlers at Potomac, but we haven't seen much at the higher levels aside from Rosenbaum and Karns.
I'm looking forward to the returns of Solis and Giolito.
I can't wait to see Giolito pitch even though he's probably 3+ years away from the majors.
We'll get this guy second time around the order.
Gio does not have his good command tonight.
Throw strikes. I cant stand it.
did Gio miss the scouting meeting. Absolutely do not walk Cabrerra.
Got lucky batter swung. Carerra had base stolen.
So annoying.
Yikes.
Just pathetic. Walks all over the place. Zim now cant catch.
That is called an E 9, but I dont see how Zim lets that by.
Reminds me of Game 1 against the Cards
We won Game 1 against the Cards.
Pick the man up. Simple. Yes he should have blocked the ball.
Which game was it that Gio had something like 6 walks
Game 1. But he didn't give up many runs and we won the game.
Just checked it, it was 7 walks
They haven't lost the game yet and a guy that almost won the Cy Young should be able to throw strike.
Already striking out on balls not near rhe zone. Will that ever change.
This guys pitched pathetic last game again making rookies looks like Cy Young. Last game the opponents figured him out easily.
Did anyone hear the Dodger announcer when talking about Nats hitting?
No NatsJack, it was even worst than usual.
19 strikeouts. Nice swing Danny.
The way this is going it will drop quickly. Another ace coming.
I guess Espidefense is so so good they csn afford his terrible batting.
Gio is becoming more inconsistentthan HRod. You never know what you are going to get.
The Dodgers announcers say the Nats need to get Espi, Moore and Bernadina or at least have them on the benxh if they plan to advance.
Gio's got to pay attention. Watch Zimmermann.
Unacceptable. He should be fined.
What is Gio doing walking a pitcherin his first major league at bat.
I rarely use the word stupid, but GIO is living up to that word.
Im starting to understand why Gio got traded so many times. He will drive you crazy.
Why are the Dodgers announcers talking about the Nats' hitters? Aren't we playing the Padres now?
I put my Curly W hat Suzuki redponded for a hit.
Why is Span hitting flies That is not helpful at all.
looks like Lombo getting lessons from Espi.
Saw Harper throw again. Zim turns his body so if he missed it would miss him. No doubt in my mind E5.
They were comparing Brave hitters and ours.
Perfectly legitimate analysis as far as I was concerned
ADAM LAROCHE IS LOCKED. FREAKING. IN.
Thaaaaaaaank you again, Larry.
Stay hot Adam LaRoche!
You all that threw Adam under the bus? Ha!!!
GYFNG,!!
I changed hat along with a buddy to opening day hat 3 runs since thishat.
That ball was well outside.
Why is it so damn hard for an umpire to call balls and strikes correct. Pitch track shows it clearly and you would they would know we know tgey are not very good.
Bob and FP are really loving this 80s night.
So I'm just wondering, how many games in a row does ALR have to homer in before peric will admit that he's more than just a singles hitter and might actually be a pretty good choice for the 4 or 5 spot in the lineup?
Nope.
gio better get some calls toi. Now we need a shut down inning.
Danny nope.
peric maybe.
A throw from third. Bonus.
Go ahead, breathe now!
Great inning from Gio. Finally starting to get on a roll.
Nice. Keep it simple Gio.
gio pitching better.
@222 he will stay on ALR like I do Eck.. Only differece is I am right.
Agree with FP that the 2 hole is a black hole right now. We need someone in there who can hit, but not many options. We need Werth back.
For a non power hitter and a short swing Span should K about half what he does.
Lombo at least made contacts
Manassas I'd still sooner have Span in my lineup. He at least knows the strike zone, depending on the day (ump). And don't poke the bear.
A terrible throw.
carp was right no where near the running box
The Nats have committed 34 errors -- the most in the major leagues.
Not good.
Pick himself up...
Good job Gio.
Just like that.
Zim's power is returning.
zim driving to right.
Interesting stat regarding errors: Justin Upton (3) has more errors than our entire outfield so far this year(2).
WOW. LAROCHE!!
God I love Adam - Papa Roche...
Bring Chipper Jones as our hitting coach. Since he talked ALR he has hit very well.
You all that threw Adam under the bus? Kiss it goodby. Again.
LaRoche raises his OPS to .718.
And he brings on the Burch bier.
Desmond has been walking more often lately. He's getting pitched around. Especially with Espinosa behind him.
chipper talk to espi please.
Espi and lombo tied. 2 K and a fly out.
Stauffer is a University of Richmond product. I'm glad to see him back in the Show.
Manassas, how far do you have to go to avoid giving ALR credit for what he's doing?
First it was your hat that caused him to hit the HR, then Chipper Jones.
Esp's fielding is outstanding. but his plate discipline is pathetic. Needs lessons from Chipper.
I was wrong. Harper tied J Upton with his error tonight. Bryce, I believe, has the only OF errors so far this year.
That's the play Zimmerman will make no problem. If only he could do that when he has time.
Nice play, Zimm!
I give him all the credit. chipper showed what he was doing different than when he was successful.
He listened tgen adjusted it and he is doing fine.
Did I imply that Jones was doing the hitter?
Uh oh. Zimmermans getting it. To bad he couldn't catch that.
That's the game as my pregame prediction was Nats 5 Padres 3
Geesh.. .move the fences in and Petco becomes Coors field
Get through the inning Gio.
Good job Gio. Now it's up to the bullpen.
OK, breathe!
Interesting. Gio not done?
@Eddie still trying to figure out where I wasnt giving ALR credit.
Where did I say that.
seriously, when can Werth get back? I want him in RF and batting in the 2 hole, like yesterday.
Speaking of the promising pitchers at Potomac, Blake Schwartz had another dandy start tonight.
He gave up one earned over six innings and lowered his ERA to 0.96.
I'm not sure I like that Gio is still in, he looked gas last inning. We'll see how it goes.
Don't like Gio still being in here. He seemed gassed. Hope I'm wrong...
Riddle me this. gio many less pitches last game and much better pitching and Davey pulls him. this game and Gio stays. Why?
Manassas, did you really think I was saying your hat hit ALR's first homer? No more than Chipper did the second.
The point was that the first guy you gave credit to was Chipper even after ALR was the first Nat tonight to hit with RISP, and took us from dangerously behind (given our offense this year) to a 90% chance of a win (given our starting pitching this year).
Just seems like you have a whine about everything tonight and very little positive to say even when the te turns what looks like a disaster into a reasonably solid game.
One thing McCatty has not worked witge pitchers with since joining Nats is how to hold runners.
Off to California in the AM!! Napa followed by Nats vs Giants on Tuesday night! Hiking, biking, wine, beer & baseball. Am I missing anything?
If you're in San Francisco this Sat, the Asian Street Fair is on from 11 - 6 pm on Larkin St. Live bands, good food.
Aww.
Manassas, your 12:16 was a good example. You'd think we were losing.
Clearly Davey left him in put of a combination if "you took me out too early last time" and "if Stras can start an inning at 100+ pitches, why can't I start one at 96?"
It's the human psychology of managing people.
I am one of the most positive people I know just ask my friends. I expect to win every single game and assume the only way we will lose is if we screw up.
Obviously the hat is tongue in cheek, that you didn't get.
The Chipper reference didnt read as I implied it eitger. I was saying Chipper saw a flaw that Eck should have seen and didn't.
A little high there
NJ.. YES, I saw someof Curly's pics and i have noticed them on some of the replay's. I think it's great that Nats fans are traveling!
SJM308 - HAVE FUN, I am so jealous.
Clip has been great lately.
Way to go, Tyler Clippard!
And he brings on the Burch bier.
Didn't see this the first time. Can of corn, but hard hit.
; )
I'd like to see Mattheus in the 8th, it's been a while since he had an appearance.
Non whiney alert.
Good job Clip. That is last 11 games only 1 earned run.
Whiney alert.
Wish Espi would learn to get hit with 2 strikes.
Funny...Zimm seems to be in the same spot in the box that he always is.
Obviously the hat is tongue in cheek, that you didn't get.
The Chipper reference didnt read as I implied it either. I was saying Chipper saw a flaw that Eck should have seen and didn't.
BullRunNatsFan, FWIW, I thought the hat thing was funny, and LaRoche definitely needs to take Larry to Mortons, not Sizzler.
You could let up on the "everybody sucks" pedal, though.
Awesome, tomorrow's game isn't at 10, it's at 8:30.
Good to see LaRoche on fire. I'll eat my former anti ALR comments.
Wonder if Clip goes back out.
I know right DP??!!
I haven't. Slep much this week! Lol be nice to have games end b4 1:30 am
You can't un-ring a bell, folks.
That Blanks kid looks bigger than 6'6" 265.
That's a awfully big strike zone to miss. Just saying.
Clip is not usually at his best after he has to sit and come back out. Not sure why he's still in.
Lead off walk is poison.
whiney alert last 8 games vs bullpens 26 2/3 Ip 4 R 3 ER 15 H 8 BB 23 K.
Clip the old second inning trick.Has worked often? Not often enough.
Good job Clip.
Suggests a scouting problem with opposing bullpens, I'd guess?
Yay good Clip!
Compliment alert
Clip did fine pitching in 2 different innings.
NatsJack, don't make fun of him for being 37. Other fans will be saying that about Werth in a few years.
Danny is in a bad, bad place right now.
Danny needs a break.
i wish FP was right, but i don't think Espi will figure out with present coaching.
Getting tucked in and ready
Tucking it up here, boss...
It hurt's to watch him and I can't imagine how he feels.
I Danny woyld only swing at balls over the plate an eliminate swinging at balks, his average would go up 100 points.
If Danny would......
"Drew said...
Speaking of the promising pitchers at Potomac, Blake Schwartz had another dandy start tonight.
He gave up one earned over six innings and lowered his ERA to 0.96.
May 18, 2013 12:12 AM"
That math doesn't work. The only way he can drop his ERA when its less than 1.00 is to give up zero earned runs or 1 run in 10 innings of more of pitching. Still good.
I dont feel sorry for him at all. He ijust needs to take care of business.
Schwartz must gave up unearned run.
"NatsJack in Florida said...
Danny Espinosa strikes out on a breaking pitch at his toes.
Again.
He cannot be having any fun doing this."
Are you surprized he was playing tonight and not sitting for at least 2 games.
Zims like a error a game it seems.
That wasn't an error. They will reverse that.
Crap!
Can you believe this.
Sheesh
No sleep till Brooklyn!
Whiney alert
2 more frickin' unearned runs. I am not sure what is worse Espi's hitting or Zim's throwing
Dumb span
MNF, I'm more upset that Zimm didn't get in front of Harp's throw in the 1st inning to keep it in front of him then that play.
I'm sorry, that's an E-5. A good throw would have gotten the out.
Harpo
Yea, both sucked. It's an issue.
HOLY CRAP.
Wow.
Ha!
GOOON SQUAD!!! GO CHAD!
Finally Tracy!!!!!! Nice!
I don't believe it! Chad Tracy makes Davey look smart! FINALLY the Goon Squad comes through!
I'd feel better making $128000000.
Another game questionable because of the arm.
When are the people responsible for this team going to get Doctors?
There is a draft pick that has played a few games in the minors that I am sure knows how to throw and hit. And thank you Mr Tracy.
Other teams dont have a lot of problem with our bullpens, andcwe are clueless against their's ntil Tracy came throught.
sarcastic alert. is he staying in to play 3rd?
Goon squad baby!
Goon Squad to the rescue!
Keep Chad Tracy in for 3rd base defensive replacement! Yah right!
FP: Street got a little too much plate with that pitch to Tracy.
Street got a little too much bat with that pitch.
So, we do not untuck for Drew, right?
Mr Storen. Time to show your moxie.
I wish it was Mathuis coming in. I pretty sure we missed last call, but, hey bartender, can we still get a round of Maalox straight up?
"Scott Margenau said...
Harpo
Yea, both sucked. It's an issue."
He does that side swipe play like he doesn't want to bruise himself if he misses it with his glove. That ticked me off. The degree of difficulty was not hard on that play.
Each of Chad Tracy's last 3 pinch-homers (5 of 7 career PH-homers) have been hit against the Padres.
They are supposed to make plays I can't. They are not supposed to make errors I would.
That's the type of bad luck Storen has had today.
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