Photo by USA Today |
Pitching for the Padres will be 33-year-old lefthander Eric Stults. Stults split time with the White Sox and Padres last year and posted a 2.91 ERA through 99 innings. This year, however, he has struggled with a 4.57 mark in eight starts.
Stults will be making his first career start against the Nationals. The only two Nats that have faced him in their career are Dan Haren and Adam LaRoche. LaRoche is in the lineup tonight and is 0-for-2 against the lefty in two plate appearances.
One standout of the Nats' lineup is the absence of Bryce Harper, reports out of San Diego say it's due to a sore left knee.
Enjoy the game...
WASHINGTON NATIONALS at SAN DIEGO PADRES
Where: Petco Park
Gametime: 8:40 p.m. EDT
TV: MASN, WUSA 9, MLB.tv
Radio: WJFK (106.7 FM), WFED (1500), XM 188
Weather: Partly cloudy, 64 degrees, Wind 7 mph LF to RF
NATIONALS (23-19)
CF Denard Span
LF Steve Lombardozzi
3B Ryan Zimmerman
1B Adam LaRoche
SS Ian Desmond
RF Tyler Moore
2B Danny Espinosa
C Kurt Suzuki
RHP Jordan Zimmermann
PADRES (18-23)
SS Everth Cabrera
RF Will Venable
3B Chase Headley
1B Yonder Alonso
LF Mark Kotsay
2B Jedd Gyorko
CF Chris Denorfia
C John Baker
LHP Eric Stults
UMPIRES
HP Vic Carapazza
1B Jeff Nelson (cc)
2B D.J. Reyburn
3B Lance Barksdale
308 comments:
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Go Nats...If Harper needs rest, why not Danny
Kilgore reports Bryce's knee sore- 2 days rest to be ready for SF. Also clear MRI of abdomen. Can we please keep this guy healthy for a while?? While I love JZ on the mound, I don't like a line up without Bryce or Jayson.
There's a big hole in the middle of the Nats lineup tonight, but the bottom half looks like it's poised to come up strong.
Eric O'Flaherty for the Braves tore his UCL and will need Tommy John. That bullpen is suddenly looking pretty vulnerable.
Love JZ on the mound, hate the lineup without Bryce or Jayson. I have to say, though, I have noticed the last few games the other team has more hits than we do or the same, when we are winning. I guess you don't need quantity as long as they are quality, bunched together, or clutch.
and Zack Duke Starting on Monday with Stammen starting in the bullpen after the first pitch
Werth is seeing a specialist in Chicago. Friday return at the earliest. Sigh.
Werth probably wants to make sure he's good and healthy to face the Phillies. Makes sense.
So, reading thru prior posts, lots of chatter about sending Espinosa down or away, moving RZ to second, calling up Rendon to play either 2B or 3B, trading ALR so Zimm can play 1st, etc. If taken to the logical extreme, though, you still end up a player short (probably a second baseman). Who - asking those of you who follow the minors and Nats keep a close eye on prospects - would play 2nd in the event next season's infield included RZ at 1st, Desi at SS, and Rendon at 3B? Is there a 2B in the pipeline ready to move up? Lombardozzi (please don't)?
Good one, DV.
So, 3-2 on the road trip so far, at halfway through, right? Would be great to have a winning road trip but even a split would be an improvement over past West Coast swings, if memory serves.
Go, Jordan! Go, NATS!! I might even be able to stay up for some of this one. Yes! :-)
Dominats Vobiscum said...
There's a big hole in the middle of the Nats lineup tonight, but the bottom half looks like it's poised to come up strong.
May 18, 2013 6:34 PM
^That would be in re. the 6:34 post.
A win today would be nice because Davey is going to be trotting out the goon squad tomorrow.
Werth has been to NY and Chicago, Det has had three MRI's, Bryce an abdominal MRI and concussion tests. Would you like to keep complaining that these guys never get diagnosed correctly? I am quite ok with the caution. Coming back too early just does not work. Both Werth and Det worry me, though, because they do not seem to be clear, simple things.
David- and it's not tonight?
Jim Johnson just blew another save for the O's.
HEY! STOP YOUR GROUSING! I predict Tyler is going to break out tonight - GOON SQUAD is waking up.
Jordo is going to prove he is a total Cyborg and crush the Padres.
GYFNG!!!
What do you mean Swami? I know tomorrow that Desi is getting a rest, Harper will be resting and it wouldn't surprise me if Span sits too.
I just meant that Lombo and Moore, 2 of the bench players are playing tonight. Half a goonie game.
Angelo's are in meltdown mode.....can't say I'm heart broken...
Chiefs picked up a new catcher to replace Solano via a Rizzo trade. Brian Jeroloman. This guy is at least a lot younger than Maldonado. He's a defensive catcher ... what makes him unique? He features a left-handed bat.
Duke the right choice (IMO). Might win anyway--Vogelsong is a mess. Not clear why/how he is keeping his spot in the rotation.
Matt Kemp just robbed Heyward of a HR.
Yikes. The O's just walked in a run. They've given up 6 runs in the 9th.
Duke has at least as much experience as Chris Young as a starter. He led the Chiefs AAA rotation last season. Just the polar opposite for Chris Young this season. And there is Stammen to come in for him.
Although I would rather see Stammen get the start, and I think he deserves it, he is probably more valuable to the team if we don't use him up all in one game and then lose him altogether for days at a time. Maybe Duke will just pitch better when he knows when he will be pitching and can be mentally prepared to start a game.
Would rather Stammen available for relief. He may be disappointed, but he's just more valuable. He could "save" three games, while Duke only loses one.
Matt Kemp just robbed Heyward of a HR with a nice leap at the wall.
Chief's outfielder Chris Rahl an All Star in AA 2 or 3 seasons. Offense, defense, speed. Have to wonder why he never gets a shot to make a major league roster? Right now he has an 11-game hitting streak and he's a clutch hitter with men on base.
Kobernus keeps hitting. Two doubles today and another RBI. .340 avg for Kobernus.
And why have I never heard of this guy?
Hahahahahahahahahahahahaha ... how ironic?
The Braves lose O'Flaherty, Venters to TJ plus Walden. So?
They reach out an pick up former pathetic Nat's Joe Beimel.
ATL bullpen: O’Flaherty will join Jonny Venters, Jordan Walden, Luis Ayala and Cristhian Martinez on the disabled list. Venters is done for the season after Tommy John surgery while Walden was just placed on the disabled list yesterday. Meanwhile, David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that neither Ayala nor Martinez are close to returning.
Rendon now has 6 home runs in Harrisburg.
Meanwhile, David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that neither Ayala nor Martinez are close to returning.
Good ol' lefty Joe Beimel will rescue them ... (can't wait for Nats hitters to face that guy!)
Rendon's homer was a Harper special : deep over the CF wall. He now leads the Senators in home runs.
Syracuse in June sometime I imagine.
An insight into how players think?
Ladies, If a guy tries to make a funny joke and it sucks, it's not because he is retarded? He just likes you. #Truth
"peric said...
Rendon now has 6 home runs in Harrisburg."
While that is great, you could see he was ready after Davey had him sit those 2 days. By ready, I mean when Rizzo admits he was wrong about Espy and gets Rendon playing every day at 2nd base.
Roch Kubatko @masnRoch
#orioles have allowed 30 runs in the last 3 games
For you Oriole-haters.
Also,
ESPN 980 @ESPNRadio980
Rays defeat the O's 10-6. First Orioles Loss in 110 games after leading after the 7th Inning.
Idiotic baserunning. Isn't there a RULE against this?
With Matt Kemp batting, Dee Gordon caught stealing 3rd base, catcher Brian McCann to third baseman Chris Johnson.
NatsLady, the Orioles lost after leading after the 7th in Johnson's last appearance this week against the Padres. Streak ended then.
By ready, I mean when Rizzo admits he was wrong about Espy and gets Rendon playing every day at 2nd base.
Rendon is still at third base almost exclusively with former Owls teammate and prospect Ricky Hague at second. He's not playing second and if he were to play it regularly it will wait until he gets promoted to AAA Syracuse just as they did with Espinosa.
I don't think Espinosa is going anywhere. His glove is way too good for starters. Best to get used to it and stop honking like a goose.
I think the Rays scored six in the ninth. Sigh. I wish the Nats would do that.
Chris Rahl has a really nice arm in right field!
Taylor Jordan impressing in Harrisburg since his promotion from Potomac.
"baseballswami said...
I think the Rays scored six in the ninth. Sigh. I wish the Nats would do that."
Im just happy when the Nats score 6 runs in a game.
One more thing about Espi( yeah, sure), he plays good defense, he has a cannon, which is actually not necessary at second. We don't need someone out there who wins a gold glove and can't hit a lick. We need someone who makes the plays, turns the dp's , gets it over to Adam. AND hits somewhere above the Mendoza line. Even 240 would suffice. I don't care how good his defense looks, they cannot keep him there if this continues. Something will have to give.
Got to see the Nats game Thursday night at Petco Park while in San Diego. Three observations to share.
1. I was pleasently surprised by the number of people I saw wearing Nationals hats, tee shirts, etc. Would expect to see that in cities along the east coast but I wasn't expecting to see them in SoCal.
2. In between innings I noticed that Strasburg would warm up with usually his last 2 or 3 pitches coming out of the stretch. I haven't seen that before and was wondering if this is common practice or not. Keep in mind that I don't get to many MLB games any more due to living in east Tennessee and not travelling a whole lot.
3. Harper was playing LF that night and again, in between innings he warmed up with the Padres ball girl who was stationed on the third base line. She had a good strong arm and threw with accuracy. Something our current third baseman does not do.
Double plus J Upton error. Dodgers get a run.
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130515&content_id=47606154¬ebook_id=47621372&vkey=notebook_atl&c_id=atl
Braves may go with 6 relievers instead of the traditional 7 for a NL team.
Robbie Ray with a no-hitter going into the 7th. He might be the next promotion.
I don't care how good his defense looks, they cannot keep him there if this continues. Something will have to give.
Sure they can. He would be a far better UTL than Lombo and Tracy that's for certain.
NatsJack.. Yup, Robbie Ray and Taylor Jordan, both your calls, good to see the arms coming up.
Tonight score Nats 4 Padres 2.
GYFNG
This guy's ERA almost 6 We will not get him early.
Sigh. Lombo.
Why is lombo jittibg second. He is never on base for 3-4-5.
Bring Rendon up
Lombo turned that inning bad quick.
Don't know why Lombo is batting second. Why not Suzuki? He's at least got some plate discipline.
Not the start I was hoping for.
WOW. Zimmermann.
If you went to get a beer, you missed the bottom of the 1st! Nice!!!
Rzim and ALR must not be seeing ball both K looling
There are going to be a lot of strikeouts in this game...
Apprently so DavidProctor. Going into game Nats second in being struckout.
Not good when you are 14th in hitting and 9,th in homers.
Well Alonso saw it...
Appsrently seeing the ball is not as ard to see as they said.
Denard looked relieved he caught that. Nice doubleplay.
FP and Carp. Always quick with the excuse for are horrible strikeout rate. If your gonna strike out at least swing. Yawn
Good bounce back. Doubt this game ends 1-0. No worries.
Velocity lower and having trouble loosening up the arm. Are we concerned? I'd really like to not be concerned about a pitcher...
Navy seals and skydiving from Carp and FP, but not one word mentioned about the DP? Wow!
The pitch to Alonso was inside and was a ball had he not swung.
Having listened to Jim palmer over the years what zim is doing is normal to happe 6-8 times a year.
Hock espi struck out. Taking one over the middle.
rendon where are you?
Thanks Stultz.
FP finally says something about the game. says approach is bad. Take more pitches.
Yikes. Nothing you can really do about that.
What wss that. suzuki go on contact.
Lol baserunning.
That is some real bad luck there. Not sure what Suzuki was doing. Either you are going or you're not.
Suzuki went because Zimmermann went. They were both caught in between.
Bad luck it hit yhe pitcher, but if he went on contact he scores.
I don't think it mattered. He would have been out at home if he'd gone. And might have gotten hurt.
Once he started he created the problem. Just go
That's not bad luck. If the pitcher fields that ball Suzuki cant go anyway. MORE BAD BASEBALL!!.. WAKE UP. At least Span didn't K
dumb ass base running and coaching by Jewett, what the hell was that?
He would only been out on a direct throw. Had that happen men on first and third. He couldn't get both.
But once he started zim did. No reverse there.
Suzuki might have been out even if he'd gone on contact. Third base coach probably should've communicated better on that one.
With this horrible offense when the other team basically gives you an extra out you have to deliver. 1 run may do it tonight.
have some guts ask Rizzo the genius about Espinosa
Look at that lollipop from Ryan Zimmerman.
Very strange play all around. Gotta keep it together.
And, since every time in say it they start hitting, Eck must go.
BTW - did anyone see Ray Knight's piece on ALR's adjustment with his right shoulder, apparently made after consulting with Chipper? Seems like that would be something your hitting instructor would be able to help you with,would it not?
hahaha did you see Zimmerman's girlie throw? how much humiliation can he put up with?
What you mean bad luck. That ricocheted didn' t or did eyes play tricks on me. He didnt field it did he.
Maybe i am more blind than i realized.
NatsFanSinceStart said...
have some guts ask Rizzo the genius about Espinosa
May 18, 2013 9:17 PM
____________________________
Hah! Talking about throwing lollipops.
I loved Boswell's article this morning -- he's finally telling it the way it REALLY IS. Also like how Boswell finally admitted the Morse release was a BAD move and to trade LaRoche and "cut their losses." All true. Rizzo weakened this team beyond repair this winter. If I were a Lerner, the little genius would be gone.
Girly? Really?
It worked, I don't care how it looked.
great question to ask Rizzo Natsfansince start about Espi
Espi is terrible and what is it that Davey sees in him that no other MLB manager does??
Espi s is an automatic out
Zimmerman and Desmond lead the Major Leagues in errors for a 3b and SS. How bad is that? Plus, McCatty is encouraging his pitchers to pitch to contact. HaHa Talk about pouring gasoline on the fire.
espy can field. Get him a coach that firces him to adjust. Eck has nothing to ogfer him that he has taken.
The vitriol here is just too much sometimes. Jeez.
I'm out, it's getting chippy in here. Go Nats!
Mick, did you read Boswell this morning? he said Espi isn't just going bad -- he has been going bad since 2011. Boswell was wondering if This is All there is to Espi. It would appear this is it.Espi is 1 for his last 22 and isn't even hitting my weight -- let alone his.
Gonna be *that* kind of game thread, it sounds like...
Since they've become "big winners" and there is less need for a change ... so-to-speak ... or are their fewer astute posters?
I've found it somewhat interesting to note that no one came out and saw a potential big-time future starter closing the game last night? By adding the killer change-up to his other pitches Storen now appears to be more than viable as a possible 200 inning a year starter as opposed to a back-end reliever to burn out in a few.
Somebody in here step in something?
Yeah Nats Lady time for you to go --
FP asked it very diplomatically. Hah!
Where is it chippy? Lots o chippy sites out there.
We will start hitting soon
Some folks here hate reality -- go read a Grimm's Fairy Tale, I'm watching a big league baseball game
FP just asked Rizzo about Espi! Once again proof that he reads this blog.
Hi FP!
Rizzo is sounding like jay Carney explaining away the IRS and AP scandals --
Did Rizzo say "Zach Duke" will improve as a starter? haha
Duke stunk with the Pirates, Duke stinks now.
Hits would be nice, guys...
As Boswell said "Trade Laroche while he's got some value" Amen, brother
This pitcher pitches junk and of course we have no hits through 4.
We can start anytime now.
Espi is terrible and what is it that Davey sees in him that no other MLB manager does??
Bah, so was Timmy Cullen, so was Dave Nelson, so were so many that attempted to play that position before Espy. Yes, I will take Espy over Guzman. Why? Because I am certain that by putting Espy in at short or second instead of what the terrible expansion team had and the terrible team major league baseball moved here you would get back at least 10 games just because of the glove!
The guy's glove is friggin' amazing! He has ungodly range and he makes difficult plays look easy. His problem as Natsjack astutely observed: His head. He works too hard. It sounds like he is making his hands bleed practicing in the batting cage. He takes this very personally and very seriously. Its why Zim called him intense.
Perhaps he is too "intense"? Perhaps to hit one needs to relax more and let your instincts and intuition have a bit of the driver's seat?
Hell yes he stays. He isn't going anywhere. He might go to Syracuse. He might end up on the bench. The guy is tough enough to hide any kind of injury.. I do believe he could effectively hide a broken bone! Either way he isn't going anywhere.
So stop whining about him.
Span is where he should be. .265 Zero homeruns, .335 obp -- Wow!!! Sure glad we broke up a 98 victory team for this superstar hahaha
Zach Duke HAS to improve as a starter. He can't get any worse!!
I did read Boswell Natsfan
I just heard Rizzo say Zach Duke is starting. I am in the Twilight zone now...Duke should be gone, he is terrible and chalk that game down as a loss. I am stunned.
Peric, haha you talking about Tim Cullen. Boy, you are an old, old dude.
And full of it most of the time.
Rizzo with the ums/aws as he does his best politician talk. What did he say: Nothing.
Oh and Peric -- even horrible Tim Cullen hit above the Mendoza line. No major league team can win with a second baseman hitting .165. No major league team can win with a third baseman and SS leading the entire Majors in Errors.
And guess what, Peric, we got all three. You better stop your preaching, old dude.
I do find it interesting that Davey is proving he cant manage his way out of a paper bag. Only thing keeping this Blimp up is our stellar pitching. I am amazed at the dumb moves and non-moves old Davey has made (and not made) this season.
Carp got so excited over the Moore fly ball Short of the track -- haha
Good swing, Danny, knocked yourself down -- same pitch same swing here comes the K
Kenly Jansen just pitched Gattis in his power zone. 2 run HR.
Your out Espi -- It's an outrage that Nats fans have to put up with this crap. Outrageous
Lefty offspeed guy is naturally our kryptonite...
Zach Duke is awful, it's true. But losing Stammen for multiple games could hurt worse. If he gets blown up again, maybe he'll get DFAed, which would be no shame. And SF's Vogelsong has also been pretty hittable so there's at least a chance.
Cy young working on a no hitter
I'm changing my screen name
Danny Espin-0-fer.......
yeah!! Zim!!! the only play you can make
Danny is an embarrassment to the uniform. Nobody go to bed. I think your gonna witness a NO NO by STULTZ???????
the throw is about 65 feet at that point. Way to go, Zim!!
RZim makes those plays look easy. Why. The routine ones cause problem? Because not working on instinct.
Secret: you just might be right
Disgusting how Rizzo sits there and defends the pathetic hitting on this team. Sorry I went to bed the last 2 nights. This is a borefest. Think Ill go to bed.
One thing I notice about Espi - he's got some swag. He walks around like he's hitting .330 -- like a bad ass.
he should be embarassed
Working hard is not the answer. working smart is.
Damn this ump is giving Zimmermann nothing!!
JINX JINX JINX JINX JINX JINX JINX JINX JINX JINX JINX JINX JINX JINX JINX JINX JINX JINX JINX JINX JINX JINX JINX JINX JINX JINX JINX JINX JINX JINX JINX JINX JINX JINX JINX JINX JINX JINX JINX JINX JINX JINX JINX JINX JINX JINX JINX JINX JINX JINX JINX JINX JINX JINX JINX JINX JINX JINX JINX JINX JINX JINX JINX JINX JINX JINX JINX JINX JINX JINX JINX JINX
Zimm, now that is a Pitcher!!
Get Jordan Z some runs.
Peric: haha someone talks back to the bully and he loses it.
haha Take a chill pill, old man.
JINX JINX JINX JINX JINX
Natsjack already tried the old Belliard reverse jinx (I should have recognized it damned!) but I guess it didn't work.
Finally saw replay FP agreed with me On contact play he could almost walk in.
There you go!
Time for a Jordan Zimmermann home run.
Good job jinx worked
There goes the no hitter
"Manassas Nats' Fan said...
Finally saw replay FP agreed with me On contact play he could almost walk in."
Suzuki froze to make sure it wasn't a line drive caught and Jordan Z did go on contact. Just dumb luck.
Look at that and people call me negative
Early in the year I predicted the Nats would win 10 less games than last year. I'm upping that to 18 games less than last year.
Can anyone disagree? If so, why? Peric, we really don't need your nonsensical rants. thank you.
YOUUUUUUUUR OOOOOOOOUUUUUTTTTTT!
good job
This team stinks
Lombo going to right worked. Keep it up.
But why take the bat out of RZIM's hands.
Can't have it all I guess.
Manassas,Your welcome, but GEESH Lombo, bad steal attempt.
Dodgers lost. Mattingly cant manage a game.
Harper has more homeruns than Laroche, Span, Zimmerman and Espi combined.
This team stinks
Mattingly is as bad as Davey
Michelle, that could have been a missed hit & run.
@ harpo freeze was fine until the ricochet, tgen it became an easy run.
Good Camera shot on Davey -- he's sitting down all game -- too old and tired and despondent to stand.
Thank you Harpo, appreciate the info.
Carp uses the injury card. Yanks so inured and doing fine. So dont pull the card.
Be interesting to see who he pinch hits and when.
and carp calls Werth and Ramos 'horses" ponies maybe -- horses? I don't think so
Peric and NatsFanSinceStart, please go get a chat room somewhere and keep your personal attacks off of this blog.
It wont be the least bit interesting to see who pinch hits. Tracy, or Bernie -- whats so fascinatingly interesting about that? Oh, maybe to you it would be. haha
What is interesting is how long this team can survive with Zimmerman at 3b, and Espi at 2B -- and the worst left side of the infield in all the big Leagues.
Last year's team had perfect balance and chemistry -- Rizzo ruined all of that.
This team stinks
"Manassas Nats' Fan said...
@ harpo freeze was fine until the ricochet, tgen it became an easy run."
It was ugly all around and we don't know what Trent was yelling as his Coach. FP failed to mention in his analysis that Jordan Z was standing on 3rd base as he went on contact.
If Zimmerman had any honor at all, he would admit that he can no longer play his defensive position and ask the club to cut his contract down to size -- I might respect him a little bit by doing that -- but of course -- that is pure fantasy
HR time by Desi here
Good hit Laroche -- trade him when we have the chance
ALR is raking these days. I curse Chipper's lack of proactvity!
Prediction: within a month this team will be totally exhausted and mentally out of gas. They will spend July and August and a deep swoon that will take them 5 -8 games below .500 or worse
You can't predict baseball. It says so on the Internet.
"NatsFanSinceStart said...
If Zimmerman had any honor at all, he would admit that he can no longer play his defensive position and ask the club to cut his contract down to size -- I might respect him a little bit by doing that -- but of course -- that is pure fantasy"
Pure fantasy. Hes laughing all the way to the bank. His defensive game is mostly bad except those balls he has to charge. When a guy wont even put his body in front of a ball you have to wonder how far his dedication goes.
Then he has that smug attitude like hes the man. Sure you were for a few years.
NatsFan, pay attention at least: the game is tied.
Auto scroll-by engaged...
LaRoche.....15 game hitting streak? Who'd a thunk it 16 games ago?
After Chipper I saw him change his approach to a more OBP slant. Using his veteran savvy to get on base. I could see him batting second. Hey Keith Law thinks Votto could bat 2nd. Not sure why.
However, the recent spate of home runs really have surprised me.
I'm glad he proved me wrong just hope it continues.
The Nats scored a run, so unless it's possible to score negative runs from here on I don't think 1-0 is possible...
haha I know. I stepped away and had not a clue that we scored. I just assumed we hadn't. Im paying attention now
Big blue not giving that outside corner.
NatsFan, pay attention at least: the game is tied.
Auto scroll-by engaged...
Seems like Honk Honk Harpo and NatsFanSince2secondsago ... although he keeps changing his mind every other post? are the same person.
I bet we have hit more peoole than we have had hit. Seems we always hit them when we are ahead in the count too..
Jzim was on 3rd because the cobtact play was on (my guess)
Stepped away for an inning? But still posted throughout?
Davey needs to get Bernadina in RF. I don't get that. You put him into TylerMos spot. No big deal.
Ian Desmond!!!
Here's a better prediction Nats Fan Since Never....you will drive every fan away from this board by 10:30....congratulations, you should be proud
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