USA Today Sports Images Gio Gonzalez was dominant over seven innings of 1-run ball. |
Hitting lowlight: It's not often you get a golden opportunity against Kimbrel, so you've got to make the most of it. The Nationals couldn't in the top of the ninth of a 1-1 game. Despite a leadoff single from Zimmerman and a subsequent double from Adam LaRoche, the Nats couldn't push across the go-ahead run. Desmond struck out looking at a 2-2 fastball, perhaps the biggest infraction of the inning. Roger Bernadina then grounded into a 5-2 fielder's choice, leacing it all up to the struggling Danny Espinosa. Espinosa swung at Kimbrel's first pitch and flied out to left, killing the rally.
Pitching highlight: Against a tough veteran with such a track record of dominance against the Nationals, Gonzalez had to be on top of his game tonight. And he was. Not only did the left-hander get good results — one run on three hits over seven innings — but he was all over the strike zone. He issued only one walk and, most impressively, threw 72 of his 105 pitches for strikes. That's an extraordinary strike percentage for Gonzalez, and a great sign for him. He even helped himself out at the plate, roping the night's first hit by either team. That single left Gio sporting a .294 batting average for the season. Stunning.
Key stat: Since returning from a five-day break to let his fractured wrist heal, Danny Espinosa is 2-for-15 with six strikeouts.
Up next: The series wraps up at 1:35 p.m. Sunday when Nate Karns takes the mound for his second career start (hoping to go at least five innings this time and qualify for the win) against left-hander Paul Maholm.
206 comments:
«Oldest ‹Older 201 – 206 of 206 Newer› Newest»Those guys played as hard as they could. Plenty of effort by an offense hampered by injuries.
Could be, Rendon won't be enough, and they have waited too long.
NatsLady is right.....again.
NJACK SAYS.......Both you and Davey need to check your ego at the door and do the things necessary to make this franchise perform up to it's maximum capability.
Very Interesting Take....so you are seeing that that as a problem now.........That is the first I have heard that......thanks for the deep insight....
Njack also has a problem with Davey's endless support of Danny and HROD....amazingly insightful comments that only someone with his connections and experience could see this early in in just a few 1000 AB's and 100 MBL appearances. Man I wish I had that eye.
Very nicely said!
H Rod being the " best " option IS the problem!
Post a Comment