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Photo by Mark Zuckerman / NATS INSIDER Nate Karns and Kevin Gausman face off tonight at Nationals Park. |
So it should be a good matchup between these two young fireballers. One thing to watch in particular: How do they fare against the opposing lineups the second time around? Gausman struggled in that department last Thursday in Toronto. We'll see if he's made an adjustment, and we'll see if Karns is able to overcome that issue against a very tough Baltimore lineup.
Bryce Harper once again is out of the Nationals' lineup. Davey Johnson is going with the same group that yesterday produced only two runs, hoping to get a little more thunder against Gausman.
Updates to come, please check back...
BALTIMORE ORIOLES at WASHINGTON NATIONALS
Where: Nationals Park
Gametime: 7:05 p.m. EDT
TV: MASN, MLB.tv
Radio: WJFK (106.7 FM), WFED (1500), WTEM (980 AM), XM 184
Weather: Mostly cloudy, 78 degrees, Wind 7 mph out to LF
NATIONALS (26-25)
CF Denard Span
2B Steve Lombardozzi
3B Ryan Zimmmerman
1B Adam LaRoche
SS Ian Desmond
LF Tyler Moore
RF Roger Bernadina
C Kurt Suzuki
RHP Nate Karns
ORIOLES (28-23)
LF Nate McLouth
3B Manny Machado
RF Nick Markakis
CF Adam Jones
1B Chris Davis
C Matt Wieters
SS J.J. Hardy
2B Yamaico Navarro
RHP Kevin Gausman
UMPIRES
HP Tom Hallion (cc)
1B Ron Kulpa
2B Mike Estabrook
3B Phil Cuzzi
6:45 p.m. — Well, this is not good: It's pouring here and the start of tonight's game will be delayed. They're hoping this won't take long, but it's some intense rain at the moment. Stay tuned for updates.
7:50 p.m. — OK, the tarp is finally coming off and the pitchers are about to warm up. First pitch will be at approximately 8:25 p.m.
8:26 p.m. — This game is underway, and so is Nate Karns' big-league career. The right-hander fires a 94 mph fastball low to Nate McLouth for ball one.
8:31 p.m. — Wow, a 1-2-3, 10-pitch, top of the first for Karns, who dialed his fastball up to 97 mph against Manny Machado. Good stuff there. He got two grounders to second and then combined with Adam LaRoche on a nifty 3-1 groundout to get Nick Markakis and end the inning. Really nice start for the kid, who I'm sure had a few butterflies when he went out there.
8:41 p.m. — Double wow in the bottom of the first. Steve Lombardozzi and Ryan Zimmerman each connected off Gausman for one-out singles. Adam LaRoche then stepped to the plate and destroyed a 96 mph fastball into the right-center field bleachers for a three-run homer that left this ballpark rocking. Just like that, the Nats lead 3-0 thanks to LaRoche's ninth homer and 24th, 25th and 26 RBI of the season.
8:55 p.m. — And the Orioles get one run back in the top of the second on a Chris Davis sinle and Matt Wieters double just inside the first-base line. Karns got himself into more of a jam, with runners on the corners and one out, but he reached back and struck out Yamaico Navarro and Gausman to end the inning and keep the Nats' lead at 3-1.
9:04 p.m. — Hmm, Karns needs to learn a couple of things about bunting: 1) You can't bunt a ball that hard, and 2) When you do, you've got to hustle down the line. Because of it, he just ended the second inning on a 5-6-4 double play.
9:12 p.m. — And Karns bounces back with a 1-2-3 top of the third, again retiring the top of the Orioles lineup. He's at 49 pitches through three. Davey Johnson said before the game he'll probably limit him to 80 percent of his usual pitch count, knowing he'd be extra amped-up for this. So figure he might be limited to maybe 80 total pitches, thus maybe five innings. Still 3-1 Nats as we go to the bottom of the third.
9:30 p.m. — Good lord, is Chris Davis on fire or what? He absolutely murdered a 1-2, 95 mph fastball from Karns into the right-field bullpen just now. The ball never lifted more than 20 feet off the ground. That's his 17th homer in 52 games. Do the math, that's remarkable. That trimmed the Nats' lead to 3-2, but it didn't stay that way for long. Two batters later, Karns left a 2-0 fastball way up in the zone to J.J. Hardy and the Baltimore shortstop crushed it to left-center for his 10th homer. So now it's a tie game, 3-3, as we move to the bottom of the fourth.
9:43 p.m. — Two thoughts to share about the bottom of the fourth: 1) Tyler Moore and Roger Bernadina, who entered tonight with a COMBINED .273 batting average and .420 slugging percentage, crushed back-to-back homers of Gausman. 2) Sweet Fancy Moses! I mean, seriously, who saw THAT coming? Throw in Span's RBI double and the Nats have opened up a 7-3 lead and knocked Gausman out of the game. His final line: 4 IP, 8 H, 7 ER, 1 BB, 0 K, 3 HR. His ERA after two big-league starts now stands at 11.00.
10:17 p.m. — As much as Davey wanted to put Karns in line for the win, he just couldn't do it. Karns walked a pair of batters with one out in the fifth, and with Markakis stepping to the plate, Captain Hook had no choice but to stroll to the mound. Karns got a really nice ovation from the crowd as he departed. He won't qualify for the win, but he certainly acquitted himself well tonight. Duke, meanwhile, came up big, inducing a double play out of Markakis and then retiring the side in the sixth. That bridges the gap to the back of the bullpen and allows Davey to use those relievers the way he'd like. Still 7-3 Nats heading to the bottom of the sixth.
10:28 p.m. — And a scoreless seventh inning for Drew Storen, who needed one of those. We've reached the stretch, with the Nats still ahead 7-3.
10:51 p.m. — It took 22 pitches (18 of them strikes) but Tyler Clippard pitched a scoreless eighth, getting Chris Davis to fly out to right with two on and two out to escape a jam and preserve the 7-3 lead.
11:00 p.m. — LaRoche with his second bomb of the night, his 10th of the season. It's 8-3. Wait, make that 9-3 as Bernadina drives in another run.
11:09 p.m. -- Ballgame. Nats win 9-3. Duke gets credit with the win, but Karns deserves plenty of praise.
338 comments:
«Oldest ‹Older 1 – 200 of 338 Newer› Newest»Winning tonight would feel so good, not only winning but beating the O's and sending their fans home unhappy.
Not that Davey has a whole lot of options, but I am not too crazy about this lineup. Maybe Tyler is good for a home run tonight?
BTW, Atl/Tor now in 10th still 6-6.
7 - 6 on a McCann homer.
McCann just homered.
How's that beer, Eric?
SCNatsfan - agreed! Got just a bit more grief at the gym today than I needed but they won, we lost.
I will be joining Natsfan1a in listening on the radio. Did not watch yesterday but did listen and could hear the "lets go O's" cheers in the late innings. Almost glad my 20 game plan did not include an O's game. How did they do the announcing? They couldn't have all 4 in the booth at once (or could they?) Between Bobby Sunshine and Jim Hunter there must have been tons of gushing about both teams. They will never do it but for this series I would love to hear Jim Palmer and FP just talk about the game and the hell with a play by play guy.
Go Nats!! Let me be able to walk into the gym tomorrow with just a little swagger.
I don't see how's there's anyway with this lineup we slow down them Os hon. I was at the game yesterday. Too many Os fans. I am going to Ralph Cramden yards tomorrow. I don't expect many Nats fans. 3 teams I will never go and see anymore at Nats park. O,s Yanks and Phillies. There fans are such PIGS they ruin it for us family folks.
"Earlier this week, Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post reported that the decision to exercise the 2014 option may have annoyed Rizzo, since the contract from which the option came was not especially lucrative. Under the 2014 option, Rizzo will be in the bottom third in GM pay, Kilgore noted. Here's more from Rosenthal."
Picking up Rizzo's 2014 option does not preclude the Lerners tearing it up and giving him a bigger salary for 2014/2015 as part of an extension. What is does do is prevent stories like "Cheap Lerners haven't picked up Rizzo's option yet" which would be what Kilgore and Rosenthal would be reporting now if the option hadn't been picked up. Rizzo knows that, and so do Kilgore and Rosenthal. If Rizzo was annoyed by anything, it was probably that the details of his contract were being discussed. He's a no comment guy when it comes to player and manager contracts, and probably expects the same for his own contract situation.
The doc who did Zimmermanns and Strasburg's Toomy John surgery pass away. Strange that he died so young...
http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/05/28/noted-sports-orthopedist-dr-lewis-yocum-has-died/
Mmmmm, yummy beer, thanks Joe!
"I don't expect many Nats fans."
I'll be there tomorrow. Can't wait!
I would be surprised if Nats fans aren't there in force. It seems as though there've been a large number of curly dubs all over the country so far this season.
" How did they do the announcing? They couldn't have all 4 in the booth at once (or could they?) Between Bobby Sunshine and Jim Hunter there must have been tons of gushing about both teams. They will never do it but for this series I would love to hear Jim Palmer and FP just talk about the game and the hell with a play by play guy."
A couple of innings of Carpenter-FP-Mike Bordick followed by what seemed like an eternity of Jim Hunter-Bordick-FP followed by a couple innings of the first trio to finish the game. The O's A broadcasting team of Gary Thorne-Jim Palmer does not deign to participate in this fiasco. Palmer used to, but I think Dibble scared him away. Carpenter admitted this morning on 106.7 that he's not a fan of the arrangement, but it's not his call. It comes from MASN management, and we all know who that is.
Go, NATE! Go, NATS!! (try quickly typing, or saying, that three times and get back to me)
Eric I hope so. My teenage son claims there are a lot of curly W hats around because they think its coooooool.. W means winner. I saw several is Disney a couple years ago and when I approached those folks and said " Go Nats". They had no clue.
Tonights game reminds me of the "The Nationals of Christmas Pass", when I use to look forward to seeing the next hot shot pitching prospect. I'll be watching and think he'll pitch great! Make that choice to send you down hard!
Okay Nate! I'm coming to the park, like an adopted Mom, to watch you make your debut. I hope you have a great night and a positively memorable experience!
GYFNG! GYFNG! (one for Nate, for the Nats)
I imagine most STHs got this email, but at tonight's game if you show your red Ultimate Baseball Access card when you buy a hot dog at a Nats Dog stand, you get a free 16 oz. beer. Par-tay!
Looking forward to watching the kid. Just wish we did not have this dreadful joint coverage. I was at the game yesterday. There were way too many O's fans for me but the were mostly only noisy right after a score and then they quit. They started chants a few times but Nats fans booed then down. For me the worst thing is that disrespectful O during our National Anthem. If you must disrespect your country at your park that is one thing, but don't do it in ours. Don't let anyone tell you the Nats fans were outnumbered or not into the game- not true where I was. I hate the idea that if you are not standing up and screaming or clapping with two strikes you are not following the fan rules. Most of the time I am quietly praying for that third strike. With Henry it takes so long I am spent but that last out anyway. You can be watching intently and concentrating on every pitch and be totally quiet but very much into the game.
Looking like Harper won't even be able to DH in Baltimore. But no DL. I really wish they had just put him on the DL right after that wall crash; he hasn't been well since then, and they keep rushing him back. And then he inevitably makes the injuries worse.
It seems like Davey/Rizzo have been managing a little desperate since the team's in a hitting slump. It's true we don't have any hitting options close to as good...but that's why keeping him healthy long-term needs to be the highest priority.
But Espi could come back tomorrow. With a broken wrist, and torn rotator cuff. So.
...sorry, I try to avoid being negative. But the management of position player injuries (non-hamstring edition) just baffles me entirely this season.
Mark said on 980am, Harper won't even DH in Baltimore the next two days, per Davey.
Not DHing Harper is smart, IMHO. The last couple of times he has hurt the knee has been with a foul ball and a couple of face first slides - both obviously risks that DHing won't solve.
So who will DH? Tracy?
I totally agree that it's smart. I just don't understand the refusal to use the DL. They just keep having to play short.
"I just don't understand the refusal to use the DL."
I'm guessing because no DL means they can drop him back in at any time instead of having to wait the minimum amount of time (15 or 60 days)...it's definitely perplexing about Harper. It's possible that he really was seeming to get better and had clean MRIs and that the bursitis was an undetected lurking danger that flared up. Who knows, though.
Out of curiosity, if you put someone on the 15-day DL, is the replacement call up allowed to stay on the 25 man roster only for those 15 days, or can they stay on for as long as it takes to get the DL'd player back in the line up?
Eric said...
7 - 6 on a McCann homer.
May 28, 2013 3:43 PM
Joe Seamhead said...
McCann just homered.
May 28, 2013 3:44 PM
Joe Seamhead said...
How's that beer, Eric?
May 28, 2013 3:45 PM
I beat you all to it. I was talking to myself on the other post. Got that HR stamped in at 3:41PM.
Thats 2 more beers!
Gio should DH. He does have the 2nd highest OPS on the team (behind Harper), according to Kilgore.
Would like to see Kobernus play the field and have Moore DH, but it seems like Tracy would be the option.
I totally and completely agree with this puzzling aversion to the DL. A player gets hurt, they sit out, we play short, they sit out a bit longer, we play short, they try to play, they regress and sit out again or end up on the DL after some stops and starts. Just put them on the DL, get them totally right and then bring them back after sufficient rehab starts- that is , more than ONE. I hate to break the news to Danny and Bryce but when you are playing hurt you are not actually helping your team, you are limping along and delaying things. Someone needs to be the grown up in the room and just say NO!
Here it should be great news to DH and you must analyze hitters who are around .150 and you look to who you have hitting over .250 and can only find pitchers.
I nominate Zach Duke.
I understand their thinking is that they don't want to lose Harper for too long. That's what I mean by managing desperate, though - they seem to be thinking short-term gain rather than potential long-term harm. That collision was so hard that health consequences were pretty much inevitable, no matter the player's "toughness." Add in the Espinosa issue, and it adds up to a pattern that's frustrating. The player will always think he's all right to play. Management needs to be more realistic.
Werth has been on the DL way more than 15 days at this point, so I guess that means players can stay on until the team is ready to reactivate them.
Eric, a player who is put on the 15 day DL must stay on the DL for at least 15 days, backdated to the day after the last time he appeared in a game, but there is no maximum number of days he can stay there. Moving the player to the DL opens up a spot on the 25 man roster, which stays open until the player returns whenever that may be. A player who is called up to replace someone on the DL can stay on the roster even after the injured player returns if someone else is removed to make a spot for the returning player. See Harper, B. in 2012.
Adding in that if you let a player go out there and they reaggravate the injury, you're no longer able to back-date a DL stint and you lose them for longer. See also: what happened with Werth, and arguably Ramos. I could see the thinking for Werth; as a veteran player he should know his body/limits more than average. But everyone else? It should be entirely management's call.
I agree, EmDash and swami. At the very least, Harp should've been out at least until the damn stitches dissolved or were removed. Kind of a no-brainer, imo. But, I've never managed a team to 98 wins, so what do I know ;).
Eric said Out of curiosity, if you put someone on the 15-day DL, is the replacement call up allowed to stay on the 25 man roster only for those 15 days, or can they stay on for as long as it takes to get the DL'd player back in the line up?
Called up player can stay on the 25-man as long as there's an open spot for him. Just like the 15-day DL means "a minimum of 15 days but up to as long as you decide". The difference from the 60 day DL is that you don't need to keep a 60-day guy on the 40-man roster. Of course, just like the 15-day and the 25-man, when a player comes off the 60-day, teams need to take off someone if they've filled all 40 slots in the meantime, and that may have contractual implications as well.
By optioning Karns back after tonight's start, that would not allow the team to bring him back for a Sunday start, if Det is unable to play 5 days from now.
IIRC, a player optioned to the minors cannot be called back unless there is a diff player that is DL'ed. Sooo, Davis and Karns cannot easily be re-swapped for Sunday's game.
Not that there won't be a fair share of injuries to choose from to DL another player...
"Moving the player to the DL opens up a spot on the 25 man roster, which stays open until the player returns whenever that may be."
OK, thanks, that's what I wasn't sure about.
Agreed again, EmDash, @5:02
Mark thinks Erik Davis who is a good righty reliever could be the callup when Karns is shipped back.
My question is why not keep Xavier Cedeno who is a lefty and you called him up for a reason. Why all the mixed signals.
Thanks Eddie.
>Not that there won't be a fair share of injuries to choose from to DL another player...
Hrm...maybe that has something to do with why players aren't always DL'd right away? If they can manage to play without risking serious injury, it may allow Rizzo/Davey more chips to shuffle things around as needed?
And now the same thing with Espi- we are supposed to be thrilled beyond belief that he will be back on Wednesday - with a recently diagnosed broken hand, even though he said he heard a clicking noise in it that he did not hear before. What? There is an adequate substitute in that position. No need to rush- no, really, no need to rush. I am telling you that I would rather have none of these guys play, lose every game for a week , if it meant that the team could then move on. Toughness is one thing poor judgement is another.
Isn't there some kind of ten day rule with moving from majors to minors and back again?
I think one other wrench in the DL for a player you are carrying like the Nats did with Detwiler is that once you go past the 10th day they haven't played you can only go back retroactively 10 days which would mean they would have to sit out at least 5 more days once they are placed on the DL.
Usually not an issue but Detwiler I believe was 11 days since he last played when they placed him on the DL.
You have to wonder if they did DL another player if they wouldn't bring up Marrero to DH since he's on the 40 man.
I think there is - but there's an exception for injury, I think? I.e., a player can be moved back sooner if someone else is placed on the DL. Not positive about that, though.
As for shuffling pieces around...possibly, but taking that kind of risk with Harper is ill-advised. He's their most important non-pitcher player.
...I am going to stop ranting about this now, honest. *g*
If Bryce were DLed he wouldn't be available til June 11, which is, IIRC, about when they expect Werth back. I can't blame them for not wanting to go into Atlanta without either of them. (After that comes three with the Mets and three with the Twins at home, but the Nats could be 8 back by then.). You could bring up Marrrero or Corey Brown to replace him, but Marrero is a defensive disaster (though it might be nice to have him as DH in Baltimore), wile Brown is an OK outfielder but not a great bat.
On a positive note, I'm pleased about the idea of Erik Davis being called up. His performance in the minors has been seriously impressive so far. Hope they can find a way to keep him.
I would not mind at all seeing Marrero DH. I think a lot of the plans will hinge on tonight. They will have to see how things go, how many innings the bullpen needs to spend. I really thought yesterday we were going to need five bullpen innings at one point. Does anyone know if Karns is on any kind is a pitch limit or does he usually go deep? He has not been on my radar. Might just as well use him. Worst that can happen is we lose and we have plenty of guys who can do that. Take a chance, see what you have.
swami, I believe if come up to replace a player who is put on the DL and are then sent back down, you have to stay down for at least 10 days, unless you are brought up to replace a different injured player. The rule prevents precisely the kind of yo-yo-ing that's being suggested with Det, Karns and Davis.
It's easy in hindsight to argue that Harper should have been put on the DL, but 15 days is a long time for an every day player. (It's like a whole half a month, right? :-)) It's totally understandable that the Nats don't DL every player who gets hurt right away, even if the player is Harper and the injury looks serious. If it looks like the player might miss only a handful of games, you don't want to make a hasty decision and end up not having your star available when he's returned to good health.
Now if the player is playing terribly anyway and could use a rehab stint to get his act together, that's another story. Cough... Espinosa... Cough.
After the os is Braves. The season may be lost at that point. The injuries may just be to,much to overcome.
222,
Well, cough, cough, said.
Not saying it wouldn't be best to DL Harp. But with the shape we are in now that would just about sink this season. If it isn't already. Gotta play the kid. No chance without him.
Oh, yeah. The season may be soooo lost at this point of the season that no team ever in the history of baseball could ever,ever recover. Might just as well concede the rest of the season if we lose to the Braves. Especially if a certain -- cough, cough, middle infielder stays in the lineup. We are doomed, I tell you. It is over!!!!!!,
I tend to think it would be better to dig yourself a bigger hole without Harper now if you're better equipped to dig out of it later because he's healthy. A lot of baseball left - if you regard every series as do-or-die and run players into the ground accordingly, you're much less prepared for the long trek that is the six-month season. This is leaving out that Harper isn't as productive when he's hurting - in May he's .193/.319/.368. That's not going to improve if he's not given time to heal.
GO NATE!!!! I wish I was there tonight to cheer him on!
Definitley going with Charlie and Dave. Mike Bordick is too dry (cough boring) for me. And while Gary Thorn maybe a good announcer, I will never listen to a game he calls again after the way he ripped the Nats last year. I personal ly hope that the AngelO's go down in flames this year only if to torture the turd owner. (nothing against their players - some of whom i really like)
Em Dash you are reading my mind. My grandmother used to call that being penny wise and pound foolish. I just don't want to see Bryce on and off the bench every other week. Werth either. Better to make the time investment and have fully healthy players down the stretch. Bryce and Espi don't add much to the team when they are messed up.
Michele-- amen!!!!!
Kevin Millar just pulled a Davey Johnson on Lombo's name- total butcher job. Showed the knee deflection play.
It's storming pretty badly here in Fairfax. Hope it avoids DC.
The other element of the 'pound foolish' DL equation is that you're playing a man short (or, in the current case, two men short) while waiting to make the DL (or not) decision. If I'm counting correctly, the Nats have a two-man bench (plus the back-up catcher) tonight.
Just a comment..Remember we used to have the Matt Stairs Memorial Award. I think we can have another award: the DFA Doug Slaten award. Remember how we used to crow for Slaten to get DFA'd? I am thinking by the number of post that Zach Duke is the leader in the club house.
Now, I am not calling for Zach to go. I think there has been some serious issues with bullpen management (and that's on Davey). When you have relievers going more that 4/5/6/7 days without being used, that's a problem
Nats extra had an interesting stat. Nats are 28th in average. Once they have 2 strikes .154. Yesterday 1 for 17 with 2 strikes.
Eugene- exactly! The combination of the starter being out, but not being able to replace them is very bad. You get some extra innings and you are totally screwed. Or you let your hurting guys pinch hit and they wreck themselves further, or delay the DL clock.
Rain delay. I remember that JZnn's debut had a long rain delay before it started. And the Nats won that game.
we may not like ownership, but The Os - Nats matchup will be great for years to come...
both teams with great, young talent. I'm impressed with the Os young offense and their up and coming pitchers...Great expectations: Os vs Nats WS in 2014
with bursitis, unfortunately, that's what happens, (flares up, rest a couple days, flares down, play a week, flares up) unless you're Mantle and drink your way thru it.
Hate to think that Bryce is going to have chronic knee problems. Takes away the most exciting part of his game. Take care of him!!!!!!!
Raining in Shaw for about 20 mins, getting heavier now.
Bursitis isn't a chronic condition long-term. It can be surgically fixed and the recovery isn't bad. But it's not something he'd do mid-season. He would get it after the season ends and be good to go for spring training. For now, once the swelling is down, he can play. Resting it won't help. That's why he's not on the DL. It's not something that can really "heal" once the swelling is down. One bad move on it and it swells up again.
Waiting for a game to start- feels like last week. Now if I watch the whole game I will be sleepy at work again tomorrow. I promised them it was over when the team came back easy. Doesn't look like it will be terribly long, but still...
I feel bad for Karns. Already has to deal with a new routine and top that off with a rain delay where even some major league pitchers struggle? Plus, being thrown into the fire against one of the top hitting lineups in baseball? Not ideal conditions.
But maybe he surprises us!
stoopid, thats where he got it from...Sect 3 cartoon
Another storm rolling in TP
Boston announcer announces, Nationals have the best rotation in baseball, but you got to score a little for those guys
Choo just thought he hit a home run on a ground rule double- went into his trot and passed second. Ump had to call him back. Awkward.
agreed DP..surgery not an option right, so it swells down, play a little, flares up again, rest a little, play a little...Luckily he has more than one bursa sack to bust (aren't there 11 according to my google search).
David P.. listening to Charlie and Dave and they reminded me of Jordan's first start.. two hour rain delay, same Home Plate Ump.. Jordan won.. I am sure they don't have Nate warming up yet.
Yeah...cough cough...at one game over .500 on May 28, the Nats might as well throw in the towel. Remember when the Houston Chronicle published a June 1, 2005 obit for the Astros, who were 19-32 with 111 games left? What a shame about the rest of their season. All they did was advance to the World Series.
I hear that Nate is somewhat of a cool customer. So glad to hear that. It will serve him well under these conditions. We have seen how much the right mind set can contribute to success. And the reverse. Such a mentally taxing game.
Preach it, sister!
baseballswami said...
Michele-- amen!!!!!
May 28, 2013 5:52 PM
Update on Sean Burnett:
Bill Shaikin@BillShaikin Burnett to #Angels DL.
Sean Burnett said he got an injection in left elbow after diagnosis of inflammation. X-rays revealed no structural damage, he sai
throw in the towel ?
Do you mean Zack Duke, or is the towel dry ?
listening the junkies this morning puts the Nats in an objective perspective.... their starting opening day lineup has only played about 10 games together and with 4 out of that lineup, the drop off is seen. I agree with that assessment.
However, what it does expose is how weak the Nats backups are and that the so called talent base below the starters is very over rated, maybe the Gioloto's and others in the minors will be very good one day in 2-3 years. This means the Nats do not have any depth to contend
I think reaction from some earlier dramatics. Legion of Doom. Lots of hyperbole.
ahhhh...the sky is falling...I knew it was coming.
Burnett has been dealing with injuries all year. He's been very good when in, but he's missed quite a bit of time. He didn't get very much money, so my guess is that Rizzo let him walk because he knew something about his injuries and not because of the money.
I never thought I would say this, but Kevin Millar had some good comments on the Nats on IT today. Question was.. are you concerned about the Nats right now 51 games in. He said no and said the pitching is there and once the guys come off the DL, the hitting will come back. Wow, Kevin makes a point (albeit an obvious one)
I am going to engage in some semantics with you. You are saying our backups are weak. I would say that our backups have not been performing well up to this point. That would be like saying on April 20 th that Adam is a terrible baseball player, which some people said, instead of saying that it was taking him a long time to get going. Lombo has had a couple of multiple hit games, average trending up, Moore has had a couple of rbi's , Bernadina crushed a ball yesterday. We have watched these guys play well, Tracy also, and we know they can. Being weak or not talented is totally different than being off to a slow start or struggling to get going. I choose to see that the bench players are starting to warm up and will get back to form. Might not over achieve, but will certainly do better. Already are headed that way.
Swami, one thing I like about your posts.. the glass is always half full. The way this season has started out has just been odd/weird. Roles don't seem to be defined.
As long as we are close on AUG 1, I think things will settle in and we can battle until the very end.
As has been stated (and thanks to 1A for the Stros comment), It's not how you start, it's how you finish.
yes...
that's what she said
Last year we got off to a fast start and had the Braves chasing us the whole way. By the end, I just felt that the team was fading. The Cardinals and Giants were not in the picture even in August and then they got hot and were gaining momentum. It really is a very long season and this is much too early to concede the season. You are right, Michele, these first two months have had an odd feel. Not in sync. I am hoping that this tougher path makes them have a harder edge later on in the season.
8:25 start. Not quite as bad as the west coast games, but sleep challenging.
take a nap now.
I think I missed my nap window chatting here. I will just nap tomorrow before that game. Baseball first, sleep later, right? Missed too much baseball during the road trip.
effwx... your response to me was uncalled for. Did I say the sky is falling? No, I reiterated what the junkies on 106.7 said which I agree with, meaning the starters if healthy are damn good. I happen to agree the depth is over rated, exception Lombo.
Swami... I think Tracy is too old and the Shark just cannot hit, it is my opinion and I think stats would back me right now. Moore could be having a sophomore slump, I hope that is the case. The bottom line, after 50 plus games, it is not too early to worry
I see Mets have asked Mariano Rivera to throw out 1st pitch. Do you think they think that will leave him ineligible to pitch the 9th?
yep...napping helped me for the west coast swing
to add
The pitching situation could become serious if Det does not come back and Rizzo does not address the bullpen
"That would be like saying on April 20 th that Adam is a terrible baseball player, which some people said"
What refutes your point is Adam turned it around 3 weeks ago. The others have not after 50 plus games
Mick...
I give Rizzo 2 years to restock the minors with more than enough talent. I think it's fine to question what is going on. We have all been a bit (or more) than disappointed with how things have started out. It's all about OUR expectations. I still believe we will be in the playoffs. and with Jordan/Stras/Gio/Det, I think we have more then an excellent shot of advancing.
MicheleS wrote: As has been stated (and thanks to 1A for the Stros comment), It's not how you start, it's how you finish.
&
baseballswami wrote: I am hoping that this tougher path makes them have a harder edge later on in the season.
+++++++++++++++++++
I tend to agree with both of you that things will get better. But my concern is that the Nats not fall too far behind before they turn the corner. And since 'too far' is impossible to quantify -- and varies significantly from season to season and division to division -- I would like to see the team avoid the sorts of mistakes that would lead to losing unnecessary games, e.g., waiting too long to make a decision on DL'ing a player or keeping an underperforming player in the line-up when there are no signs a break-out is coming. Even a couple of extra wins (or losses) could make things much simpler (or harder) come August and September.
I would love to see the team get over this thing where it seems they can only win with Bryce in the lineup. I would love to see myself get over that expectation also. I know they can play well. I know it. And yes, I am disappointed in the play of the team. And I would expect that it would take part time players longer to break out than a veteran starter. It would be so sweet if the team started to heat up tonight. The weekend seemed better. Get hot, get healthy!!! Go baby Nat!!!!
Karns is getting squeezed.
He throws 97?
He averages 95. He can hit 96 and 97, yes.
Nice first inning Karns!
What a 1st inning!
Shhhweeeettt.. Nice 1st inning for Mr Karns
Way to go, kid!!!!
In typical Nats pitcher fashion the ump blows a K call. Not surprising at all. Welcome Nate Karns.
Can we just call him Nat Karns?
Our guy Karns covered 1B on that ball to ALF in the 1st like a 10yr. vet!
Baby Nat Nate looking good!
Damn that was a good swing by Span.
I for one would not mind if we got rid of the letter E.
Since when does our leadoff man swing at the 1st pitch of the game?
It was a good swing. If you get a fastball right down the middle, no reason to wait. Having said that, we tend to swing early at bad pitches. But in that case, it was fine.
GREAT WAY TO START!!!
ADAM BOMB!!!
Not even an inning in and Bordick has put me to sleep. Both teams announcers totally homeing it ughhhh. Volume down. ALR ALR ALR ALR Turn volume up for the horn though. cmon guys.
That's incredible! That ball was crushed by ALR
Sure wish Jordan was pitching. Game be over.
Somewhere a certain member of this board just cringed as ALR continues to get hot
I love that the Mets had Mo throw out the first pitch. Very classy.
I love ALRs dinger better.
The people in red are making some noise!!!
National league opponent Id say YAHHH HOOOO but the Os can score. Cmon guys
I can't believe I got SASSED by a football fan on twitter:
The Baseball Show@CSNBaseballShow36m
With the Battle of the Beltways in full swing, do we consider the #Nationals and #Orioles matchup to be a marquee rivalry?
MicheleS
@CSNBaseballShow no, it's more about the fans than the Teams. Can't have a rivalry when you play 4 games per year.
Missy Hand
@CSNBaseballShow What? Since when is a rivalry determined by # of games played? Redskins/Cowboys play twice. Still a rivalry
WHAT THE HECK!!! My response was 4 out of 162 WAY different than 2 out of 16
A lot of good hits there. Even Span's and T-Mo's were hit well.
That can relax Nate some. Good hitting approach. Swing early.
Getting Misty in my house with the Drake Hugs...
Strike zone keeps moving.
Eek, I thought Jones got that one.
This is where Karns needs a grounder right at Lombo
I wasn't blogging you, Mick.
Are you a gloom and doom guy ??
Seems your opine was balanced.
Bad play by Bernadina.
Not sure how LaRoche missed that one.
Karns hasn't been able to throw his offspeed for a strike.
Let's get that double play!
I swear this team is just unlucky
My lord.. Karns is sweaty....
Throw strikes to the pitcher please, Karns.
It's raining again.
Good job Karns. Work out of damage. Had some help with Gausman coming up but still.
throw strikes to the pitcher ?
throw strikes by the pitcher...
Very impressive demeanor and execution following a tough break (the run scoring on the weird bounce to Shark). Well done so far Karns!
Pouring again in Shaw
What to do with Shark if he doesn't start hitting
Eh, can't fault the guy who has probably never handled a bat before in his career. Poor bunt, but oh well.
He barreled it up yesterday. Please remember he got injured in the WBC.
What a play by Lombo!
Lombo flashing the glove. They should let Danny keep healing.
baseballswami said...
He barreled it up yesterday. Please remember he got injured in the WBC.
May 28, 2013 9:04 PM
___________________________
Exactly.
Hmmm.. Lombo.. making the most of his chances
Karns has been very impressive.
another small cell barreling up I95...should be wet again about 20 mins
thanks Davey, can't wait for Espinosa to come back
nice play lombo
Don't worry about the rain - I shook the weather map on my phone and the rain slid east to Waldorf.
Gausman seems to have settled in.
Look at that inning! What a difference. This kid needs to sit by Jordan Zimmermann and sponge off of him. They have a similar repertoire with the 4-seam, slider and occasional changeup. I'd like to see Karns throw some more sliders.
Late to the party tonight. How did that old and somewhat limited ALR manage to hit a home run in the first inning? I thought the all knowing poster said he was hurting this team?
nice trick ehay...not sure why i went to wx school
shouldn't last long in any case
He got injured in the WBC but this is not the place to rehab. I like the Shark but we need guys who do the job, I hope he comes around.
Three weak ground outs on 6 pitches, not a good inning there. Have to keep the pedal down on this guy.
SCNatsFan said...
He got injured in the WBC but this is not the place to rehab. I like the Shark but we need guys who do the job, I hope he comes around.
__________________________________
That was suggested here about 6 weeks ago. I guess Rizzo doesn't care what anyone thinks here.
MASN with the camera shots of idiot Orioles fans standing and clapping.
Telecast Guidance for Tonight's Nats-O's Game on MASN
To all Broadcasters:
In the the interest of MASN's corporate image, please comply with the following script for all games in this series.
We know there are a hundred comparisons you would like to make (O's announcers would like to compare Machado to R. Zimmerman; Nats announcers would like to compare Ted Lerner to Peter Angelos.) But the rule for these broadcasts is "make nice, and don't make any comparisons you would naturally make if this game were being played by any two teams EXCEPT Baltimore and Washington.")
Also be sure to:
- Compliment the other team's players to a degree you never do on other broadcasts
- Do not air any criticism of a lack of hustle or lack of ability by an opposing team member
- Make lots of overly deferential and fawning references to the other team's broadcasters ("103 games without an error...Hall of Famer...etc.")
- Do not make any comments about attendance in Washington this season, as it compares with Baltimore.
- Do NOT make any comments about bad choices the teams have made in the draft, especially as compared with good choices made by another team involved in tonight's telecast--especially if said decisions were in the SAME draft!
Please tape one phrase to your console as you broadcast the game: "Keep it bland and corporate."
Thank you,
Peter Angelos
Karns just officially surpassed the outing turned in by 2012 Syracuse ace Zach Duke.
God this O's team can hit. So annoying.
Gonat, are they " idiot Oriole fans" simply because they were standing and clapping after one of their guys hits a home run? Would you not do the same in Camden Yards if RZ or ALR did the same?
Gonat Rizzo still isn't taking my calls but I'm sure he puts a lot of weight on my emailed suggestions
Unlike Duke, Karns has kept us in this game. And he'll probably go 5 innings.
Now lets light up their AA guy. Show some stones and jump right back on them. Enough excuses.
3 0 lead is already gone. 3 in the first and then nothing. Man this team stinks. So does this pitcher. 9--4 os will win again. Its just killing me.
This is Karns first major league start. He doesn't stink.
Oh the ump stinks also.
Your right. He looks great. Bump Strasburgs next start. How stupid of me.
Why are we swinging so early in the count.
You've got to be trolling.
Have hitters decided to take the rest of the night off.
We cant seem to have 3 or 4 innings in a game. We are lucky to have 1.
Karns staked to a 3 run lead just couldn' t appreciate it.
T-MO! He has been heating up.
Yah, send TyMo back to Syracuse. LOL
TyMo must of heard me. sorry Ty
TYMO!!!
Wasian,
Why are posting here anyway?
yepppppp 5 game hitting streak now
swm dipping in 3...2...1...
Nice by Tyler!!!! Way to go Kid!
SHARK!!!!
Shark heard me to.
and while you're at it, send Bernadina back. LOL
Shark attack!
yikes...looks like bernadina is healed
YES. Shark!!! TyMo!!!
That a way boys. great hit. Fellow posters I am frustrated. Being a DC Guy close to Bmore I have to put up with a LOT of crap. I get very frustrated. Ill try to keep it positive. CMON NATS. SHARKKKKKKKKKK
Tyler and the Shark needed this. So did we!
Yes sir!!!!
As far as Karns goes, I want to know why on 1-2 verse Davis he throws a high fast ball? how long does Davey go with Karns this game?
WAY TO GO SHARK!!!
if Nate jacks one, he stays
Does Davey want 5 or 6 out of Karns?
Zuke 2 for 2
I think Davey just wants five out of Karns.
I get on Greenbelt metro yesterday and am mobbed with Bmorons. Its tough folks. Just wanna win. Be at Camden tomorrow.
Knoxville Nat said...
Gonat, are they " idiot Oriole fans" simply because they were standing and clapping after one of their guys hits a home run? Would you not do the same in Camden Yards if RZ or ALR did the same?
__________________________
You missed the point clearly. It's that MASN shows Orioles fans on what should be a Nats broadcast. Do you think they will do the same on Wednesday and Thursday and show Nats fans celebrating in Bal'more?
swing away nate, can't go deep that way
so Dave, bullpen will be active
Gonat we know they won't
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