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Associated Press Stephen Strasburg dominated over eight innings to earn his third win. |
Hitting highlight: It was turning into yet another maddeningly frustrating day at the plate for the Nationals, who couldn't get another going against Hamels for six innings. And then, they exploded for five runs in the seventh. OK, so maybe it wasn't a conventional offensive explosion, but it worked. It featured a Ryan Zimmerman infield single, an Ian Desmond sacrifice bunt, an intentional walk to Tyler Moore, a 60-foot nubber off Jhonatan Solano's bat that somehow scored two runs, a Steve Lombardozzi base hit that became a triple thanks to Delmon Young's adventures in right field and a Denard Span RBI double to cap it all off. So what if it wasn't a thing of beauty? The way the Nationals have struggled to score runs all season, this was certainly welcome.
Pitching highlight: What more can you say about Strasburg? He was absolutely brilliant, with total command of all three of his pitches. The big weapon today was his curveball, which was as sharp as it's been all season. He also got stronger as the game progressed, retiring 15 of 16 batters during one stretch, nine of them on strikeouts. He also stayed efficient enough to take the mound for the eighth inning for the second time in 15 days (this after never reaching the eighth in the first 53 starts of his career). It wasn't all perfect for Strasburg, though. Just when it looked like he'd finish off eight shutout innings, he was called for a balk with a man on third and two outs in the eighth. A very small blemish in an otherwise spectacular performance.
Key stat: Hamels has not pitched with the Phillies holding a lead since April 7.
Up next: It's time for the annual Battle of the Beltways interleague showdown, but there's a new twist this season. The Nationals and Orioles will play four straight days in two cities (Monday and Tuesday in D.C., Wednesday and Thursday in Baltimore). It all begins at 1:05 p.m. Monday when Gio Gonzalez faces Jason Hammel at Nationals Park.
56 comments:
Glad I was wrong about Strasburg's fate today.
He's pitched so well it's good to see him get a win.
WOOOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOO!!! Well pitched game and took advantage of the Phoolies defense. And we took the series.
As always I assume we win tomorrow?
In the immortal words of Austin Powers: Yeah, baby, yeah!
Jim johnson 4th blown save and loss in the 9th in 2 weeks
I am pretty sure last night's predicion of Nats in third tomorrow is probably not quitr right.
Bummer about Det
Yeah, the one about them coming out of the series under .500 wasn't quite right, either.
What's a bummer about Det?
Whoa, Orioles lost a 3 run lead in the 9th
Fun game in the end. The stadium had some quiet moments and even the few Phoolie Phans were left leaving with nothing but a long ride home.
Thanks, NJ.
Is Det not pitching Tuesday, then?
Davey says Det to DL.
They are saying Det to the DL. You can back date 10 days since he has been on over 10 days.
Zach Duke?
Davey said det felt it running.
Via James Wagner
"Ross Detwiler's oblique is still tight. Headed to DL. Nats to call up lefty reliever Xavier Cedeno. No starter named yet for Tuesday."
"Bryce Harper to miss a few days w because of knee."
Here's what I don't get. It was either 5-1 or 6-1. Why does Davey leave Bryce in there to hit in the 8th?
Nats will be without their #2 hitter once again.
I feel that the organization needs to stop letting players come back so fast. We have lost major time with Werth and Harper because of setbacks caused by pushing it. I understand that there is a culture where toughing it out is respected. But more days are actually lost this way. I know we need offense, but that is even more reason to get these guys right the first time. Is this RGIll all over again? They were so picky with Stras, I just don't get this. Harper is a kid.
Chris Young is about to pitch tonight for Syracuse, so he won't get the nod.
I'd love to see Rosenbaum get a chance, but it probably will be Stammen or Duke and a committee.
Wish Micah Owings could still pitch as well as he hits.
Seriously, I am on my soap box about Harper's knee. What are they doing with him? Has he had an MRI? Are we going to be facing ACL surgery with him??? Stop letting him wreck himself!!!!
It's not an ACL. He wouldn't be able to do what he's doing on a torn ACL. I can tell. Someone said it's like RG3, it's not. RG3 couldn't even walk. I know Harper doesn't look good, but he's not in that shape. I would be SHOCKED if it's a ligament issue.
A reporter told Harper that his injury situation seemed like RGIII all over again. "No it's not," Harper replied. "That's a dumb comment."
David- he is just so young, it worries me. So Stras today had some adventures. HBP, balk, two hits, gave up a hit to Hamels, guy ejected. And he stayed cool, calm and collected and that is a very good thing. We also scored 14 runs in this series- another good thing. So about that backup second baseman....
Not only did we score 14 runs in the series, we had double digit hits in each games.
Davey on Harper: "He needs to slide and hit his ass instead of his knees."
Only Davey...
So, they're bringing up a second lefty Cedeno? Seems to send a message about Zach Duke perhaps?
I am probably wrong but it does seem like we may be seeing Mr. Rosenbaum soon ... or Mr. Ohlendorf who had a decent outing yesterday. His inside cutter was filthy yesterday! Young is pitching today; very soon if he ends up imploding again on the back end of two good outings by Rosenbaum and Ohlendorf?
How much did it piss off Hamels that Stras one upped him pitching and hitting? I find great joy in that.
Cole looked LIVID when Zim and LaRoche scored on the swinging bunt. Wanna talk about body language, he was staring his teammates down.
Walks to strikeouts now almost dead even for Rosenbaum. That isn't good. Tatusko still looks the best in a starting role in AAA at this juncture. I expect they might return Roarke to that role soon as he was far more effective than Young.
Tatusko 26% strike outs compared to 7% walks as a starter right now.
Stras was really, really good today. And perhaps a bit of swagger. Sweet.
Maybe he'll show them what he thinks, in an old school, prestigious way, natch.
David Proctor said...
Cole looked LIVID when Zim and LaRoche scored on the swinging bunt. Wanna talk about body language, he was staring his teammates down.
May 26, 2013 5:37 PM
Given Tatusko's velocity on his fastball they might be looking at him as a "sleeper" that may have suddenly popped up.
If Detwiler is only likely to miss his next start (which was reported), would it be unheard of to just stick with the rotation. Sure, Zim and Haren would be pitching on a day less rest, but Zim does well on short rest. Not sure about Haren.
Harper take 2 days off and then 2 days at DH and be ready for the Braves Friday.
Tatusko I guess is a guy who got in trouble with "tweeter". I miss receiving his tweets. Very interesting guy and budding author. He went dark perhaps because they told him he spent too much time "tweeting" and not enough on baseball?
Good point MNF. I fully expect Harper to be the DH when we go to Baltimore. It would make a lot of sense.
would it be unheard of to just stick with the rotation.
This is where they would haul in in a rubber arm like Livo or Miss Iowa.
Haren, yes, Zimmermann no. Zimmermann is a TJ arm. They are going to ensure he is kept on a steady, consistent schedule until the playoffs if they make it to the playoffs. Haren on the other hand? They might move him up but then someone would still have to come up from the minors or Davey would have to move Stammen back into that role.
I can't see them going with Duke after what happened to Maya.
Looking at the advanced stats and figuring they want to see a larger sample size with 97mph Fb Tatusko ... Ohlendorf.
But who knows maybe they go back to Duke one more time.
I HATE Hamels after what he did to Harper when he first faced him. Never will respect that bush-leaguer again. This loss couldn't have happened to a better player.
My guess Stammen will pitch first then Duke then later relievers
Speaking of the Syracuse club, I've been boosting Zach Walters, but I'm cooling.
He still hasn't shown that he can hit AAA pitching consistently. Between the end of last season and thus far this year, combined, he has just 59 hits in 277 at bats. He hit .214 in Syracuse last year and he's hitting .212 this year.
I don't know whether the 12 minor league homers last year changed his approach, but he's just not ready, even with 9 homers this year.
Unlike a player such as Derek Norris, Zach doesn't walk enough to make up for his low average.
I like the kid -- he plays hard and he was especially nice to the children seeking autographs and photos at spring training.
At this point Kobernus seems a more advanced hitter and he can fill a variety of roles.
Seeing as how Harper aggravated his knee today running the base paths, I don't see how DHing helps him rest it.
"Zim does well on short rest"
==============
I recall that Jordan Zimmermann has -- on more than one occasion -- said that he doesn't like to pitch with extra rest, but I can't recall him doing well (or saying he liked) pitching on short rest.
Drew,
I am seeing ...
Kobernus
Perez
Marerro
in that order in terms of offensive effectiveness ... with Corey Brown coming on strong after coming back from injury.
All four now on the 40-man roster as position players.
Among the interesting things from today's game-- Tyler Moore got intentionally walked and he has about a 130 average. And Solano made them pay..... Wait. Did I just type that ? Did that happen? What? Did not see that coming.
Yeah, they really could use 7-10 or more games against AL teams at their house in order to let Bryce recover by playing him at DH. But the guy is pretty aggressive on the base paths and you can't pinch run for him after every at bat so ...
Among the interesting things from today's game-- Tyler Moore
I'm fairly certain T-Mo's bat will come around. I really LIKED the way he worked a walk in the late innings in last night's game. That tells me he is listening to the coaches.
BUT, I'm not sure they can live with a defensive hole in left-field given how they must rely so much on pitching and defense. Moore needs reps in the outfield in AAA to get better acclimated to the position.
Technically an IBB. It was 3-0 count when they decided to IBB
Well the Chiefs: Rahl, Rymes, Brown, and Rivero peg Young to a 1st inning 4-0 lead. Let's see what he does.
"How much did it piss off Hamels that Stras one upped him pitching and hitting?"
How many Nats hitters were pissed off that Stras one-upped them hitting?
@cap fan. It is a contussion problem not ligiment, and just batting would be fine.
How many times did Peric post and nobody respond?
It's possible Bryce could have a meniscus issue..... Hope not, as young as he is..
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