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"It's never easy," the 70-year-old manager said, "is it?"
Well, no. The Nationals' 7-5 victory over the Diamondbacks should never have been that close, with the tying run standing on first base in the ninth inning and the home club coming this close to blowing an early 6-run lead.
But ignore, for a moment, the near-collapse late and focus instead of the events of the game's first five innings, in particular the bottom of the third, when a typically moribund Nationals lineup exploded for five runs to match its most-productive offensive frame of the season. Denard Span singled to drive in a run. Jayson Werth singled to drive in a run. And Adam LaRoche produced the biggest blast: a three-run homer to complete the huge inning.
That sudden burst of lumber allowed the Nationals to open up a big lead and allowed this admittedly tight ballclub to play loose for a change, knowing the game wasn't going to completely turn around on one swing.
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67 comments:
I thought this was a we managed game.
Yes, the hitters looked good, but you have to admit that there were some balls that barely got through, ricocheted, found grass, or got out that two weeks ago were outs. Our bats have been awful but our luck has been worse. I was stunned when Adam's " fly ball" ended up going over the fence. Seemed like it had a tiny motor on it! The chipping away was nerve wracking, that seventh run felt huge and Gio deserved that W for sure. The B ( or is it further down the alphabet) lineup did good!
Definitely a nail-biter towards the end, but it was nice to see our baserunners crossing the final frontier.
The cat must have picked up on my nervousness in the 9th, although I wasn't saying anything. He was on the couch sleeping at my side but was restless and squirmy. When the final out was made, he relaxed and curled up into a little sleep ball. Then I'm like "Okay, let's go upstairs to bed." and he's like "D'oh!"
Half-price Papa John's, too. Niiice.
I was pretty restless and squirmy myself. That chipping away thing is torture.
I wouldn't call it a huge inning, but I guess for us, five runs is huge. Actually, quite good when you consider we have three guys who can't hit .220 with two of them not even close. This is still a very boring team we have. Runs scored are a surprise. Try to keep surprising us, but I doubt that will happen....this year.
Let's wait and see how Bryce feels today. I know he looked silly fast and all good to go, but it's the day after that is crucial. So if he re - joins the team in Milwaukee, you think Marrero goes back?
Cunegonde was getting antsy. "This is just like the 5th game of the playoffs," she fumed as she stomped angrily up to bed.
Lights were out when I climbed into bed, but she asked me, "Who won?"
Bull pen didn't cover themselves with glory, IMHO. Yes, the D-Backs are a good hitting team, but Gio seemed to have them figured out, so what's the bull pen's excuse? Clippard gives up a HR, Storen was all over the place, and Soriano was having location problems, too. Let's hope it was just a one-night thing, that they had a little trouble getting used to the humidity on the ball and will figure out how to deal with it tonight - and for the rest of the DC summer, which, I am told, tends to be 4-H - Hazy, Hot, and Humid as Hell.
FP mentioned lack of recent appearances not being a good thing- makes sliders " too strong". I have to tell you-- I think our bullpen is still a work in progress. In any given game I have no idea who is coming in . And it does seem like long times pass when we don't see someone in a game. Must be tough to keep a rhythm and the right touch for those feel pitches. Drew struggled, but the inherited runner was put on by Gio and the second one was due to an error. Would rather have seen him with a clean start. And our pen had just gone a ridiculously long time without giving up anything, especially Clip. It was bound to happen, and at least we had wiggle room.
And our pen had just gone a ridiculously long time without giving up anything, especially Clip. It was bound to happen, and at least we had wiggle room.
That's just what I was thinking (Soriano, too, btw)
Of all the nights that the 'pen was weak, it was when they were handed a large lead. Great timing! This was some luck turning out way for a change.
So I heard Davey's pregame comments and I'm pretty sure Taylor Jordan is the pick to start Saturday. While he didn't mention a name, he said is was a "kid" who the organization is high on. Also the way he said it, it sounded like it was someone who hasn't been with the team before (so that would rule out Karns). We'll see, he said they would announce it on Wednesday.
Our 22-year old niece is interning in Washington and with us for 8 weeks this summer. She is uneducated to the ways of the Nationals (and baseball in general for that matter). She used our tickets Saturday to take some of her intern buds to the game...they had a great time but really had little idea of who was who or what was what. When Soriano got two outs in the ninth last night my wife called her in to see her first "untucking." After three straight hits and seemingly countless pitches our niece lost interest and went to bed. Her first viewing of the "untucking" ceremony is still on our to-do list.
Can anybody explain the reasoning to bring Tyler Moore and his 15K's in 45 AB's and his .178 BA back up from Syracuse? Tyler will very occasionally get a big hit, but let's face it, he didn't produce. With 102 plate appearances with the Nats he's got a .158 BA, .206 OBP, .274 slugging percentage. NOt to mention he is mediocre in the field. And for those that say Perez didn't do anything when ha was up here? 5 total AB's isn't even a small sample size. At least you have a quality outfielder and a pinch runner with Perez. I don't get it.
"Yes, the D-Backs are a good hitting team, but Gio seemed to have them figured out"
I mean, they did get 9 hits off of him and were starting to string em together in the 6th and 7th. He did look fantastic at times but he also had his share of luck on balls in play...
The bullpen wasn't as rock solid as it has been lately, but they preserved the lead...
Anybody else been experiencing their Internet connection turning off when they are trying to navigate to this site? It's happened to me multiple times since the IP blocker was activated. Just had it happen again and noticed an indication that my computer was trying to connect to "toolator," which is evidently an IP blocker. I have to restart my computer every time it happens to get my connection back. Geez, I try to play nice and everything...
Agreed on Perez v. Moore...not seeing the reasoning...
I think TMoore will go back down once Haren comes back... And I hope Marerro goes back down when Harper comes back...
I think Davey will want to keep Moore. Just the merest threat of power is enough to keep him on the bench. And even though his avg was paltry in his brief stint back north, he did have a couple of doubles, home runs and some decent rbi's-- those are the things Davey wants. He does not care a fig about the avg as long as there is any possibility of power. Actual or only hoped for. He is not going to be a guy you want to work the count snd get on base. It 's going to be extra base hit , sac fly or nothing. He has not used Marrero much and Marrero has no track record for being able to come off the bench. Nice to see the lineup producing last night as most of us cringed when we saw it.
1a - it sounds like they're blocking your IP address for some reason. Might need to drop Mark a note.
If Tracy stays you have a backup to ALR for a game, if needed, so I don't see any need for Marrero and his anemic bat.Tyler is, in theory, Davey's big, hairy chested guy off the bench. The league has totally adjusted to Tyler. If the Nats are going to win the division I really don't think that they can afford to carry both Tracy and Moore's lousy production on the 25 man roster.
From the Instant Analysis thread last night:
"Wow, Werth talks like he's already the manager of this team. "I'd like to see Gio go deeper in the game...." I'm telling you---!"
I think there is more to this than some folks on this board are aware of regarding Werth.
Thanks, Candide. Will do.
I bet Harper was one of the the youngest guys (if not the youngest) playing in that game last night in Woodbridge. I remember after Doc Gooden have a few full season in the nigs (including a ROY and Cy Young award) he when to AAA the following year for some rehab starts and was the youngest guy on the team. I don't know for sure, but I bet Harper was close to that last night...
Werth as a future manager? Possible. Werth as a player/manager? Doubtful, in my opinion, (which of course isn't worth much).
You guys are all right-on when you talk about batting averages, who is here, who isn't, who should be called up, who shouldn't have been. Any, you all make sense when you back up what you say. If we all get it, and a lot of it is so obvious and sensical, why doesn't management and DJ!!??
"1a - it sounds like they're blocking your IP address for some reason. Might need to drop Mark a note."
That shouldn't sink her Internet connection iteslf, or, if it did, I would hope that was considered an extremely bad bug that would be fixed post haste.
A blocked IP should just prevent her from getting on here and restarting the computer wouldn't regain her access unless the IP blocker were straight up horrible (barring any black-hat type actions on 1a's part ;) ).
I *have* noticed that this site tends to hang a lot if I'm on it for long periods. Closing the site and/or clearing my browser tends to fix it.
I don't see the problem other's saw with Werth saying he would've left Gio in. Gio has been exceptionally magnanimous about the lack of run support, and it was a nice gesture by Werth to throw some love back his way. Especially because it was pretty obvious Gio was winding down (yes, I saw that pretty clearly in the 7th after saying he was fine after the 6th ;).
Eric said...That shouldn't sink her Internet connection iteslf, or, if it did, I would hope that was considered an extremely bad bug that would be fixed post haste.
Makes sense. But if she's seeing activity on toolator and then can't connect, that would seem to be a good place to start.
BTW - does anyone know if Gio has given up a run in a bases loaded situation since he wriggled out of the 1st inning jam in Pittsburgh?
"Makes sense. But if she's seeing activity on toolator and then can't connect, that would seem to be a good place to start."
True...1a, when you lose your connection, are you able to navigate to all sites but this one, or does your Internet connection drop completely?
Stats are kept on just about everything. Here's one I would like to see. How many runners have the Nats had thrown out at home plate with nobody out or with one out. It happened again last night. I wonder if the Nats total is higher than just about anyone else in the league. I think Trent Jewett almost cost them the game with that decision last night - particularly running against Parra who has the best arm in the NL. Really bad decision. With nobody out the success rate on that needs to be close to 100%.
FYI-- despite the fact that it was single A, Bryce WAS actually the youngest player in the lineup. Man Child.
Wednesday's Tidbits
- Bryce Harper is is the youngest player on the Potomac roster by nine months
- The White Sox dropped what would have been a game-ending infield pop-up, allowing the Mets to tie the game. But they won anyway -- a walk off in the ninth during an inning that included a fielding error on a sac bunt attempt.
- Brewers have more wins against the Phillies this year than any other team
- Juan Nicasio allowed 12 hits in just 2.1 innings pitched
- Jose Iglesias slash line in 126 PAs: .434/.484/.575 (he would have to go 0-for-52 to have his batting average drop below .300.)
- Kris Medlen has a 3.02 ERA and is 5-7
- Tigers made six errors. They’ve lost seven straight to the Angels.
- Cardinals’ Allen Craig has been thrown out at home six times, twice more than anybody else in the league
swami -- I owe you a beer!
I think Trent Jewett almost cost them the game with that decision last night - particularly running against Parra who has the best arm in the NL. Really bad decision. With nobody out the success rate on that needs to be close to 100%.
Funny. Just the other day some folks here were complaining that Jewett didn't send Span against a charging CarGo.
FWIW, CarGo and Parra are tied with the NL lead in outfield assists.
FWIW, since the Nats held a big lead, I didn't mind Jewett's call.
Complaining about bringing up Moore -- for chrissakes its for three more days. And in any event why would you prefer Perez, the only Dominican cricket player in organized baseball?
There are no alternatives at Syracuse; Brown has slumped, Owings is striking out in Espinosesque proportions. If you think the Nationals' lineup is ugly, look at the "Chiefs."
baseballswami said...
FYI-- despite the fact that it was single A, Bryce WAS actually the youngest player in the lineup. Man Child.
Me: Thanks for confirming that. I read an interesting article a while back about baseball players ages. You always hear people like Boswell talk about 19 or 20 year old players from the past. But one main difference was before the 1970's you could start kindergarten in the year you turned 5 years old (so birthday up to December 31st). Since then, all public schools in the US now require that you turn 5 by June 30th (I think or around then). While this may not seem like a big deal, what it means is about half the kids are coming out of high school a full year later than kids born prior to the 1970's. Something to consider when reviewing baseball history. It really remarkable what Harper has been able to do, but it did take getting his GED before his HS graduation class in order to get to the draft sooner.
Theophilus T. S. said...
"Complaining about bringing up Moore -- for chrissakes its for three more days. And in any event why would you prefer Perez, the only Dominican cricket player in organized baseball?"
Well put, Theo. If you're complaining about a 25th man called up for five games because you prefer another guy who also can't hit, you're just complaining for the sake of complaining. The decision won't affect the Nats' season one bit.
'Clamoring is a bit of an exaggeration, natsjack. But it does seem reasonable that a player like Perez, who consistently hits 300, is solid defensively, and very fast should get a chance over a player who has not produced this year in the majors or during his brief stay in AAA.
2 posts stating a preference for Perez over Moore vs. 3 taking those posts to task...interesting ;)
Oh, n/m, jeeves tied it up.
At any rate, given how impertinent the issue apparently is to our season, we should sink the thread with posts about it ;).
Nah, I'm strictly a white hat kind of gal (well, and Nats red). Seriously, thanks for the responses. I did send Mark an email.
(barring any black-hat type actions on 1a's part ;)
jeeves said...
"Clamoring is a bit of an exaggeration, natsjack. But it does seem reasonable that a player like Perez, who consistently hits 300, is solid defensively, and very fast should get a chance over a player who has not produced this year in the majors or during his brief stay in AAA"
This board puts way too much stock in AAA stats- not to mention the wrong stat, i.e. batting average, but that's an argument for another time.
The talent and what the scouts see is just as important in projecting how minor league performance will translate in the majors. Some skill sets translate to the bigs- like Rendon. Some don't, like Marrero, Kobernus, Lombardozzi, Corey Brown, and virtually every other AAA guy the fans have demanded over the last two years.
Trust the organization. They have many eyeballs on all of these guys every day. If a guy isn't on the 25 man roster, there's probably a very good reason for it.
natsfan1a said...
Nah, I'm strictly a white hat kind of gal (well, and Nats red).
1a, you need to level up!
The latter, as in kaput.
Eric said...
True...1a, when you lose your connection, are you able to navigate to all sites but this one, or does your Internet connection drop completely?
June 26, 2013 9:21 AM
OK, I would be surprised if that's related to this site, but y'never know! Does it happen during stretches of time where you don't read here (do such stretches even exist?! ;) )?
Jack, I've seen both play the outfield enough to have my opinion that Perez is a much more polished fielder,though he only plays the OF. Kobernus seems closer to Lombo out there. I'll say that I hope with everything that's in me that Moore makes me eat my words and comes back to produce.I just want the Nats to win. OK, I'm taking this record out of the jukebox. It's starting to skip. My bad.
Any time the Nats go up 6-0(and you'd be surprised just how many times it's happened), I have a traumatic flashback to game 5. It's the most unlucky score and with the chipping away last night, I couldn't wait for the un-tuck. They can go 3-0, 5-0, 10-0, but 6-0 is the devil.
6-0 lead with Gio on the bump is definitely not good mojo
LOL it seems like majority was thinking game 5 when we went up 6-0.
I will admit that I too thought about it.
Heh...the chip, chip, chipping certainly brought it to mind for me, too.
Now that y'all bring it up, I'm surprised that Game 5 never entered my mind last night. It's not like I don't still have the scars.
Very enjoyable game last night. My favorite moment was Span's throw to nail the potential first run of the game. A play like that viewed from Section 314 is special. I agree with an earlier commenter that ALR's homer didn't look like it was hit that far off the bat. It just kept going and going and going.
In scanning the comments, I'm surprised not to see more concern about Werth. He waved at that first inning hit, was pretty clearly only 75% on the basebaths, almost getting thrown out on his own double to the wall, and let the potential third out fall in front of him in the 9th. Yet Davey is content to have him out there in a diminished capacity.
I realize that the alternatives are not great. Actually, they are pretty bad. But that was a game ending catch that he couldn't make, and I think even Tyler Moore would have handled it. When Harper returns, I'd DL him, or least sit him down for several days to try to heal.
bowdenball @9:57 -- Very well put.
Several posters here have stated that Ryan Zimmerman is not playing as deep as he used to so as not to expose his poor throwing. My seat is behind the visitors dugout, so I have a good view on where the third baseman positions himself on every play. Last night Chad Tracy was lining up at exactly the same places that Zimmerman would, depending on the game situation. So if Zimmerman is not lining up as deep as he used to, it's probably because whoever coaches the infield now has different ideas than whoever did it in the Acta/Riggleman years. Nothing to do with Zimmerman's throwing.
Yeah, Werth didn't make a couple of plays he would likely make if he were healthy, but he was also 2 for 2 with 2 BB, 2 runs scored, and an RBI. I'll take that deal.
Sure, we dodged a bullet yesterday Sofa. He got hits and played a key role in our offense. In hindsight, I'm glad he played. But tonight he could be 0-4, and if he misses a catchable fly ball that ends up allowing the game winning run to score, will you feel the same way tomorrow morning? Everyone's talking about wanting Harper to be 100% before he returns, yet they are fine with Werth's subpar defense and baserunning and the impact they might have on the team? That seems odd.
Time Machine Willie Mays is unavailable. Werth at less than 100% was better than the alternatives. The man did his job.
Plenty of people talk about Harper being some hypothetical 100%, but in fact, he won't be, because no one knows what that is, really, except in hindsight. I, for one, would rather he came back when he was ready, which he seems to be, because they need him, and just learn (like Werth) when not to lay out. YMMV.
Yeah, I guess my mileage varies on Werth. It's all a matter of degree, and whether you think he's at 95% (which most players are on any given day) or 75%. I don't want a guy playing who can't make a play that is just a bit harder than routine, or can't score from second on a single. We got lucky last night but that won't always happen. We'll see how he looks tonight.
I don't think it is just a matter of degree; it's also a matter of who plays if Werth sits.
Of course, I'd rather have Roberto Clemente out there. But he's not on the roster. I'd rather have a limping Werth playing station-to-station baseball than anybody else they have until Harper comes back, because right now they need hitting more than they need defense, and nobody else seems to do that.
And anyhow, it wasn't Werth giving up line drive after line drive in the 9th.
Hypothetically, he might go 0-fer and miss a fly ball. Or, the pitching might just hold tonight, and somebody else might get a hit.
And while I'm on the subject, I don't think it was that bad a play. Yes, a healthier Werth catches it, but I doubt Moore does, because
1) Tyler probably would play deeper in that situation than Werth.
2) It was (as I recall--I only saw it once, IRT) a hard liner more or less right at him--with backspin, it would carry, but with topspin, it would dive, and it takes experience Moore doesn't have, but Werth does, to tell them apart in time to adjust.
3) Situationally, the one thing he absolutely can't do is let that ball get past him. If he doesn't catch it, it does not cost the game, or even tie it; they're still up two. So you don't lay out for that if you aren't dead certain.
OK, I think I'm done now.
I'd buy you one before tonight's game, Deuces, but I see on the NIDO "Who's Going?" worksheet you're off tonight.
Section 222 said...
bowdenball @9:57 -- Very well put.
June 26, 2013 11:40 AM
I strongly agree!
I am very worried about Jayson. If playing him now puts him at risk for missing another month then it's a bad risk no matter what.
I think the discussion about Moore, Marrero, Perez etc underlines how thin we are at the bottom of our roster. It shouldn't matter that much but because of injuries it's a bit more of a sore subject.
If you are playing an injured Werth because you don't dare play someone like Moore then that's an issue. I really think that it would be nice to obtain a couple of veteran professional hitters on the cheap (Marlon Byrd?, Ibanez?). If the cost is Rosenbaum or Perez or Kobernus then I think it's well worth it.
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