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Photo by Mark Zuckerman / NATS INSIDER The Battle of the Beltways shifts to Camden Yards tonight. |
The series, of course, is knotted at one game apiece after the Nationals thumped the Orioles last night. Tonight, they'll give the ball to Jordan Zimmermann, seeking to become the majors' first 9-game winner. He'll be going up against a tough Orioles lineup, though, one that we've already seen do some damage the last two nights.
Chris Tillman starts for Baltimore, facing a Nationals lineup that is again without Bryce Harper but does have Danny Espinosa back after five straight days off to let his fractured right wrist try to heal. Chad Tracy, meanwhile, has the honor of serving as DH for this game in the AL park.
Lots of updates to come, so 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 177
Weather: Mostly cloudy, 88 degrees, Wind 9 mph out to CF
NATIONALS (27-25)
CF Denard Span
RF Roger Bernadina
3B Ryan Zimmerman
1B Adam LaRoche
SS Ian Desmond
LF Tyler Moore
DH Chad Tracy
C Kurt Suzuki
2B Danny Espinosa
(RHP Jordan Zimmermann)
ORIOLES (28-24)
LF Nate McLouth
3B Manny Machado
RF Nick Markakis
CF Adam Jones
1B Chris Davis
C Matt Wieters
SS J.J. Hardy
2B Ryan Flaherty
DH Steve Pearce
(RHP Chris Tillman)
UMPIRES
HP Ron Kulpa
1B Mike Estabrook
2B Phil Cuzzi
3B Tom Hallion (cc)
7:05 p.m. — And we're underway on an 86-degree evening in Baltimore. Chris Tillman starts off Denard Span with a fastball for strike one.
7:14 p.m. — Mercy, did Ryan Zimmerman just crush a 2-2 pitch from Tillman. He nearly took out of his teammates in the back bullpen in deep left-center, an absolute rocket of a solo homer that puts the Nats up 1-0 early.
7:21 p.m. — And a quick, 1-2-3 bottom of the first for Jordan Zimmermann. The best sign for him: He got three groundball outs. That's been his forte all season.
7:41 p.m. — A not-so-quick bottom of the second for Zimmermann, who was roughed up quite a bit by the Orioles lineup. He did break three straight bats (two of those resulting in cheap hits) but then with two outs, Ryan Flaherty (hitting .133 and just recalled from Class AAA) smoked an RBI double down the right-field line. Zimmermann then walked No. 9 hitter Steve Pearce to load the bases. Nate McLouth also smoked a pitch from Zimmermann to right field, though this one hung up long enough for Roger Bernadina to make the catch and end the inning. It's 1-1 and Zimmermann is fortunate he didn't give up anymore there.
7:49 p.m. — Danny Espinosa's first at-bat after a five-day break to rest his fractured wrist produces a result all too familiar this season: a swinging strikeout on a high fastball. Still 1-1 as we go to the bottom of the third.
7:54 p.m. — Back to business for Zimmermann in the bottom of the third. He got three straight groundouts, all to second base. That's more like it. Still 1-1.
8:04 p.m. — Holy Roger Bernadina! He did it again. Two homers in two days for the previously ice-cold outfielder. And this one was crushed, landing on Eutaw Street (only the 68th ever to do that in Camden Yards history, only the second ever by a Nats player — Adam Dunn did it). And then to add icing on the cake, Zimmerman crushed his second homer of the night, a bomb to straight center field. Back-to-back jacks put the Nats up 3-1 in the middle of the fourth.
8:12 p.m. — And Chris Davis strikes yet again. His 18th homer of the season, a remarkable pace for the Orioles first baseman. This just in: The ball is kind of flying out of the yard tonight. Sheesh. It's 3-2 Nats after four.
8:30 p.m. — Make it 4-2 Nats as Espinosa reaches on an infield single (and takes second on an error) and then scores on Span's RBI double to right. That's a 10-game hitting streak for Denard. And then up stepped Ryan Zimmerman, who proceeded to make history. Yes, he just hit his third homer in as many at-bats tonight, this one an opposite-field, two-run blast. That's the first three-homer game of Zimmerman's career. And we're still only in the fifth inning, the Nats now leading 6-2 and Tillman headed for the showers. Sweet Fancy Moses!
8:50 p.m. — Steve Johnson has stopped the bleeding so far. But Zimmermann has found a groove as well, keeping this a 6-2 game in the middle of the sixth.
8:58 p.m. — This game is a long ways from over, folks. Especially the way the ball is flying tonight. Markakis just took Zimmermann deep to open the bottom of the sixth, the sixth combined homer of this game. These Orioles have put some serious bat to ball tonight. It's now 6-3 heading to the seventh.
9:03 p.m. — Zimmerman strikes out looking to end the top of the seventh. What a bum.
9:24 p.m. — As my late grandmother would have said: "Oy gevalt!" I don't even know what to say about what just transpired in the bottom of the seventh, and overall what is transpiring here tonight. Let's just say this: The Orioles now lead this game 9-6. They did so by scoring six runners in the bottom of the seventh, getting a two-run homer from Pearce, an RBI double from Machado that knocked Zimmermann out of the game, an RBI single from Markakis off Tyler Clippard and then a two-run bomb from (who else?) Chris Davis, also off Clippard. That's eight combined home runs in this game in only seven innings. I'm going to throw one question out there: Not saying this would have made a difference, but why exactly is Fernando Abad on this roster if not to face Markakis in that situation? Just seems odd to me. You've got a lefty specialist at last. Might as well use him to face one tough left-handed batter in a big spot.
9:34 p.m. — And the Nats go down in order in the eighth against Tommy Hunter. They've got three outs left to play with, still trailing by three runs.
9:47 p.m. — OK, here we go. It's Tracy, Suzuki and Espinosa due up against Jim Johnson, who has blown four of his last five save chances.
9:52 p.m. — It's over. Johnson closes it out and the Nats suffer an absolute crushing defeat, 9-6. This is gonna be a tough one to swallow.
315 comments:
«Oldest ‹Older 201 – 315 of 315 Newer› Newest»F.P. owes me a drink for his ZZ Top comment.
Michelle - Jim Johnson is their closer. Steve Johnson was one of their 15 starts turned reliever.
We're baseball fans, 128. We love them even when we're mad at them. Not ALL of us wanted to trade them. Still, smiling is better.
Six doesn't feel like enough to be laughing about though.
128.. Thanks for that.. I didn't see that it was Steve.
Danny still can't hold up. He tried.
Espinosa still going after fastballs at his eyeballs. Those things never change.
I think the bone chip has floated up into his eye
Span has game!
Let's recap some very recent Legion of Doom remarks, shall we?
The Orioles will sweep the Nats. The Nats suck. What a weak hitting team. Ryan Zimmerman has lost his power stroke and is now a singles hitter playing a power position. Bernadina should be DFAed.
It's great reading the remarks of the Chicken Littles...they are so knowledgeable...I think many of us feel honored to have them share their insights with us.
last time I saw someone hit 3 in a game was 1977...Reggie, Reggie, Reggie
sorry non-yankee fans everywhere
"MicheleS said...
128.. Thanks for that.. I didn't see that it was Steve."
Any time.
Zim's stuff is off. Get Stammen up.
glad to hear at least someone on this blog is infallible...Are you the pope ?
David Proctor. I guess you don't remember the last time JZ had a big lead. He put it out there for the hitters to try to hit. What he forget is this is a Band Box.
Is Ryan Zimmerman having a career night? Jesus.
BAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! Zim just nailed him.
Wow -- RZim is having some kind of a night with the leather as well as the lumber.
Zimmerman needs to eat all the same meals, wear the same clothes and do the same workout he ate/wore/did today. He's on fire!
Ryan needs to pick it up in the field too.
Hope he finally does something at the plate this inning.
Zimm is having a night for the ages...up there with Werth game 4 homer, Stras first major league game, Zimms numerous walk off hrs,Ramos 3 run hr walkoff to cap a 5 run deficit comeback..
So, have I missed anything so far?
Alfonso Sorianos 3 HR game came against John Smoltz and the Barfs.
Jeff, I was hoarse for days after that Ramos walk off!
masn out...zimm is up...what's happening.
Knew i shouldn[t have left the bar
STRUCK OUT? TRADE THE BUM!
Going into today Phil Wood said our average against bullpens is .188
No better tonight 0 for 7.
"Zimm is having a night for the ages"
Yeah and he still has a chance for 4 HRs as he will get at least 1 more AB.
Thanks DP,
Da...rn you, Angelos!!!!
MASN out in TP
I have a bad feeling about keeping Zim in here.
Theres Ryan Flaherty. The guy was hitting .140 and was sent to the minors and got himself on track and brought back.
Yup. I knew it.
Crap...
And TylerMo has no hops.
Umm.. Is anyone up in the Pen????
They have to wn this game for Zimm. Both Zimms. Yikes.
ok, you guys way ahead of Charlie and Dave on MLB internet.
Darn you Angelos!!!
I will never walk in a park of yours again esp. AMS
Angelos Memorial Stadium
Bob Carpernter, "2 sets of great fans" Sure Bob sure.
I'm not big on Tyler Moore playing the outfield, but I don't blame him Nats128. Few, if any, could've caught that ball. Close, but no way Tyler gets it.
TAKE ZIMMERMANN OUT!!!!!!!!!!
oh shut up O's announcer...Bordick ?
D...m you Angelos and your Megolithic Angelos Shut out the Nats (MASN) network!!!
Don't worry O's bullpen stinks
NO way. From a laugher to a tie game. Well Davey.......
I was really enjoying this game...I never thought J Zim would choke like this. Terrible! Team hits and pitching SUCKS, next night pitching is great and team can not hit... mark of a crappy team going no where and letting a great fan base down. If Nats lose tonight, they will lay down like dogs tomorrow and get embarrassed in Atlanta. Davey Johnson can stick his foot in his mouth after saying team turne dthe corner
Damn I go on errand, what the hell happen with Jordan Zim, i come back in the car and its tied.
Talk about shocked.
This game is on me...If I stayed at the Limerick Pub with the baseball specials, all would be well but couldn't take sitting at the bar with an o's fan to the left or me and phis phans to my right, now here I am, stuck in the middle with Slim (the dog)
Davey with a poor read on JZim tonight. He was laboring in the heat. Not sure what Davey was looking at.
Mick, don't blame the Nats...It's all my fault.
Let's be fair here, Sunday, Nats fell down against O's and QUIT... tonight O's fall down 4 runs at home verse Nats ace and come back
Holy hell....
if Harper is in left he catches that crap HR ball and throws out Markakis at 2nd. this game is really ticking me off now and their fans are much better than ours which pains me to say...oh well, get em tomorrow.
Baltimore is third best offense....better for come backs...
Chris Davis, Wow....2 Hrs by him, 3 by zimm.
A game for the ages.
Ok, O's announcers you can gloat now
This is like the game against the Braves last year, except on the road...
That was a mistake, sending Clip in. I love him but he is a fly ball pitcher, and the ball is flying tonight. We miss Mattheus tonight.
mick, can you ever just stop. Go on the Os board and tell them how great they are. I probably speak for most here that we don't want to hear it.
Let's be fair here...these guys can hit.
Drew has given up HRs too. Who do you put in? Maybe Stammen.
Folks, the Orioles do this all the time. While we never come back to win, they always come back to win.
It's just a superior organization to ours, top to bottom. Hate to say it but it's true.
The July 21, 2012 game that I got thrown out for having a gentlemanly discussion with a Tomahawk
I think we were up 8-0 in the 6th before Strasburg and the pen exploded...but this is as painful.
Yeah, Stammen. I was thinking that in the 6th, before all this happened. I was driving, though.
Mick is like Poopy McPoop. Has to rub the poop in the face of everyone that bleeds Nats red.
Joe, you are spot on, these O's can hit...wow!! and Machado is the real deal. Maybe we get lucky and they pee test Chris Davis before tomorrow's game...geeezzzz!
People like do1teach1 just come here to gloat. What a crock of ****.
The Orioles have no pitching. Just remember that.
The game aint over.
So I was only listening, can't judge if JZimm looked gassed. It's partly Mattheus, but also the Karns kid only going 4.1 innings, and right now you can't expect Haren to go more than 5. This is going to challenge the bullpen until Detwiler gets back.
Well that was hard to sit through...DAMN!
So hard to be a fan of this team
We are as likely to score 1,000 runs in the 8th and 9th innings, as we are to score 3.
Anyone watch the Orioles closer blow a 3 run lead on Sunday in Toronto?
Yah, it happens.
Unfortunately we have Tracy-Suzuki-Espinosa coming up.
McPhal built this team....McPhal is long gone!!!
O's pitching is quite poor overall...Built for AL offense, not an NL type team
Davey just left JZimm in too long. Jordan has earned Davey's trust (rightfully so) but he just couldn't get the job done today. Look at how the offense has come to life. That's a positive.
"SCNatsFan said...
So hard to be a fan of this team"
A shame it's hard for some of you. I like what the Nats are all about.
This is the same team that blew a 9-0 lead last year in July and went on to have the best record in the Majors.
Just too many fair weathered bandwagon types.
Some only show up when the going gets tough.
Jeezz, Tyler, get out of the way.
and we have to build with a supreme disadvantage...if Nats had the O's Cable contract, we'd be so much better.
It's hard to cheer a team built by taking advantage of another team....What an evil empire built by Satan himself
jeffwx said...
and we have to build with a supreme disadvantage...if Nats had the O's Cable contract, we'd be so much better.
It's hard to cheer a team built by taking advantage of another team....What an evil empire built by Satan himself
_________________________________________
Angelos the devil incarnate. He gives away free t-shirts and the Os fans come running from Dundalk for free clothing.
I wonder if Davey would consider pinch hitting for Danny in the 9th if runners are on base?
Way to go Henry. Fundamentals!!!
One thing I will never do is support an organization built on corruption, bribes, building unfairly on the backs of another team's hard earned pay...A disgusting organization built on some of the worst aspects of human nature.
And to deface the country's anthem on top of that, the anthem that so many have fought and died for...
There should be an ML boycott.
I will boycott MASN here on out.
Henry fails to cover first. I say, as I've said before, we've got a team with mental problems at so many levels. This is really, really hard to watch and I am embarrassed to be a fan of this team.
McLouth will now steal second.
Gonat I was an Expos fan so I don't qualify as bandwagon. Put up with many horrid seasons waiting for this and t breaks my heart to see a .500 team. I love them but they are stabbing me in the heart.
I agree, Gonat. I came home hoarse last night. I have no problem cheering them on, even if I get frustrated with them sometimes.
BTW, Moore has got to stay out of Span's way. That was a lot closer to being a stupid collision then it should have been.
Henry, can't cover the bag, then can't hold a runner. Errrr...
If you're "embarrassed" to be a fan of the team, you're not a fan. Go away and root for some other team.
Gonat
Go to Hell you condescending a hole
Jordan is amazing and has been on some kind of run. But-- he seemed to struggle with fast ball command tonight and had several stressful innings. He was rushing. I guess he was due to have a rough start, but things spiraled quickly there. Took everyone's mind off the great Lombo/ Espi debate. Cannot believe we scored six, Ryan had three home runs!! Weird night. Wow. The highs and the lows.
LOL. Davey shoulda put Henry in!
"This is really, really hard to watch and I am embarrassed to be a fan of this team."
Don't worry, I don't think you are a fan of this team. No need to be ashamed. Except maybe for being one of those d-bag morons who shows up only when we're losing to spread your crap. Don't worry. No one will embarrass you by thinking you're a fan.
Get Ryan Zimmerman up there to win it!
I'd rather be a team with mental problems, than support a team built upon so much immoral foundations. Shame on you do1teach1...Is this what you stand for...An Angelos business structure where you screw everyone in your way to get what you want...Shame on you....I'd be embarrassed to support an organization that defaces what is so good about the game...shame on you and those that support such greed and corruption
Nats have already quit and it will carry over tomorrow
8th inning at bats were terrible
Man, it does not take long for the spewing of venom to start. If anyone deserves a Mulligan it's Jordan.
This is probably the most humiliating and demoralizing loss the Nationals have suffered since moving to DC. The team will have a difficult time recovering from this debacle.
No matter what the O's do, they will always be tarnished by the behavior of the organization...Sins of the owner....sins of the fans that defame the Nation's anthem
"This is probably the most humiliating and demoralizing loss the Nationals have suffered since moving to DC. The team will have a difficult time recovering from this debacle."
HAHAHAHA. Game 5 of the NLDS? The 8-0 loss to the Braves. This is nowhere near the worst.
Nobody here picking up on Mark's question for Davey? Why have a lefties in the bullpen if you aren't going to use him in that situation with Markakis at bat?
Seems like Davey may be respecting the veteran too much. I wonder if Mark or some other beat reporter will bring it up afterwards?
baseballswami... I give Jordan a pass he has been great, I just think tonight is a is typical of a lousy over rated team
I HATE the Orioles and all they stand for. This makes it much harder to take that they've built a better team than we have. But that's what they've done.
I have been admonished for saying I was embarrassed to be a fan of this team tonight. Shortly after I posted that note, Charlie and Dave said it was "embarrassing" to watch McLouth steal--without a throw, when "everyone in the park knew McLouth was going on the first pitch."
If you're proud of that, then please write Charlie and Dave and condemn them for being embarrassed.
Can Espy start the rally!
There's a difference between saying something is embarrassing to watch and you're embarrassed to be a fan of the team. But I wouldn't expect you to know the the difference so you get a pass.
Oh, I don't know -- there was that Friday night vs the Braves and then there was the one where Livo gave up a ton and the Cubs came from behind. Although I have to say having Espi up last was quite poetic.
I guess not. Same same Espy. 3 pitches. 3 strikes. With the patented swing and miss and misses it by a mile.
do1teach1
I hear my friend, I have learned over 3 years, that there are some real shi--- people in here, all they do is go after anyone who says anything negative about the Nats. these creeps were use to the 100 loss seasons and I actually think they enjoy it when the Nats lose
How symbolic for Espinosa to close the night out with a big K. Maybe the Nats medical staff can fix the big chip between his ears.
You are being admonished for being like a fly that only shows up on dead bodies to lay their eggs.
Dispicable.
Espinosa is just bad luck, bad vibe, selfish etc. till he's gone a lot of us will be POd
and now we get to listen to Davey's soft spoken BS he says after every game,
Wow, mick, you're no fun right now, pal.
I see a huge positive tonight: Ryan Zimmerman not only hit the snot out of the ball, but made about five terrific plays at third. Harper and Werth are seriously being missed right now, but they're hopefully back very soon.
I also think Ryan Mattheus really deserves a kick in the butt. His absence really limits Davey's options.
No Nats fan is proud of this loss...
I have a problem claiming that the Os organization is somehow run better than the Nats...Given the way they continue to out and out steal from another organization with the Cable contract, It's remarkable they aren't better. Angelos buying the judicial system, the ML owners to continue to delay a hearing on the legality of the deal is truely a disgrace. He should be banished from the game, but he won't because he owns most of the owners.
Joe... how can you be happy, yes, Zim had a hall of fame night... and Jordan just imploded. each night it is something else...this season is a night mare because I know Rizzo will do something stupid to make this team slide back even further in 2014. This loss will symbolize the return to crappy baseball in DC and Joe the Nats QUIT in the 8th and 9th and that makes me sick!!!
Mick, I think it is ok to critisize the team just as it ok for others to rebuke anothers critiques.
If you dish it out, you ought to be able to have disagreement. Should we all be all negative or all positive...of course not...We can agree to disagree.
Do I like Danny in the lineup, no.
Do I like Davey keeping Jordan in so long, no.
Do I like what this team is doing esp when its number 2 and 3 in the starting lineup are out, yes i do.
You remember the 64 season....The cards were a game under 500 at the all star break and ended up being one of the greatest teams of the decade once they got healthy and acquired castoff from the cubs named Lou Brock
look at Sunday'game and tonight's game and that is all one needs to know. Nats fall behind Sunday and QUIT, O's fall behind tonight and fight back and Nats quit
its one game, haters, mick and teach, relax. give the O's credit, they hit the snot out of the ball. So did we but nothing in the late innings and perhaps Davey left in Jzim too long but the kid deserved it as one of our few bright spots thus far...get em tomorrow but to go on your tirade each night after a loss is nauseating - go start your own discussion or better yet, just text among yourselves...geeeeezzzzz!
hey paul brandt... I will do whatever the hell I want, I am mostly positive in here and for you to selectively pick at me if you do not like a post makes you a creep in my book
Joe, at 9:57pm, funny...did not see your post of "hit the snot out of the ball" when i posted mine of 10:06pm even though we were referring to different people/teams...takes me way too long to finish a thought.
Thanks Mick.
I think a lot of people on this board need an intervention. They confuse embarrassment with disloyalty.
This team destroyed an awesome bullpen on the idiotic premise that lefty-lefty match-ups don't matter. Now look at lefty batting average against our righties in the bullpen. Embarrassing.
Our relievers still do NOT HOLD RUNNERS! Why? It's embarrassing.
Two seasons of Espinosa futility. Embarrassing.
Morse could've easily started 25 games for us at different positions this year. But we let him go for no good reason. Embarrassing.
Davey, in his presser, has now blamed "the ballbark" at least 10 times. Hmmm...were the Orioles playing in the same park as the Nats? Embarrassing.
The key to an intervention is to be honest and say when the problem-family member is embarrassing the family. Right now the Nats are embarrassing their family.
Accept the intervention. Denial is not just a river in Africa.
mick, fair enough, although i do agree with yours at 9:57pm re. Davey & his soft spoken ways...really think something may be wrong with the guy, he just doesn't seem "right."
do1teach1 well said, well said!
with that goatee, Davey is projecting that he is now an old goat
now that ought to get the PC trolls in here riled up, lol
paul brandt... peace
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