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| Mark Zuckerman / NATS INSIDER |
With left-hander Robbie Erlin on the mound for the Padres, Davey Johnson is giving Adam LaRoche a rare day off. In his place is Tyler Moore, who starts only his third game of the season at first base. The rest of the lineup stays the same, with Wilson Ramos back in there behind the plate. (Another interesting note: The Nats this season are 11-5 when Ramos plays, 34-37 when he doesn't.)
Stephen Strasburg, owner of a 1.29 ERA over his last nine starts, gets the ball this afternoon against his hometown team. He hasn't surrendered more than two earned runs in any of those nine outings, quite a stretch of dominance for the right-hander.
I'm off today, taking a quick breather before heading to Philadelphia tomorrow. Enjoy the conversation...
SAN DIEGO PADRES at WASHINGTON NATIONALS
Where: Nationals Park
Gametime: 1:35 p.m. EDT
TV: MASN2, MLB.tv
Radio: WJFK (106.7 FM), WFED (1500), XM 184
Weather: Partly cloudy, 90 degrees, Wind 12 mph out to CF
NATIONALS (45-42)
CF Denard Span
SS Ian Desmond
LF Bryce Harper
3B Ryan Zimmerman
RF Jayson Werth
2B Anthony Rendon
1B Tyler Moore
C Wilson Ramos
RHP Stephen Strasburg
PADRES (40-48)
SS Everth Cabrera
CF Will Venable
LF Carlos Quentin
3B Chase Headley
1B Jesus Guzman
RF Kyle Blanks
C Nick Hundley
2B Alexi Amarista
LHP Robbie Erlin
UMPIRES
HP Quinn Wolcott
1B David Rackley
2B Tim Welke (cc)
3B Bruce Dreckman
454 comments:
«Oldest ‹Older 1 – 200 of 454 Newer› Newest»So much for moving Span back in the lineup vs LHPs. Time for Span to get back to his historical good numbers vs LHPs.
yes GoSM. Hope today is the day.
Hope to also see Moore's one of towering blasts today. Been a while.
Wonk, if your'e reading. I'll be there in 314. See you at the picnic tables beforehand if I get there in time.
Found my Stras shirsey with the now vintage NATIONALS script on the front. So I'm looking for his first no-no today. Too much to expect? Ok, just a quality start.
Nice move to give ALR a day off. Ty-Mo, it's your day. Ghost, Span is Davey's leadoff hitter. That's just not going to change, especially now that he's heating up.
Section 222 said...
Wonk, if your'e reading. I'll be there in 314. See you at the picnic tables beforehand if I get there in time.
The picnic tables are, what, 312 or so?
Also -- how do we recognize each other (since we don't have "NI" signs yet?
Here's how to recognize us. My beard is long overdue for a trim, I have a red Nats hat and a white Nats t-shirt. The cute Mrs. Wonk will be wearing a _pink_ Nats hat and blue t-shirt.
Sect222, you are correct. It won't change so we have to hope Span changes. Just waiting for him to progress to the mean.
His numbers vs RHPs is All Star quality so once he turns around his batting vs LHPs his season will turn around. I just don't know how much longer you can wait on his batting vs LHPs. The man is the leadoff hitter and table setter.
Boy a sweep would feel niiiiice
I would think they bring Desmond to Citifield given the injuries at AS shortstop
Go, Stephen! Go, NATS!!
(Also, Quinn Wolcott? What is this, the Algonquin or a ballgame? Oh, nevermind.)
and they ought to give Soriano the day off. I'm sure they will..He looked more shaky than usual yesterday. Thank you ALR for the amazing glove sve. He should have been a goalie too.
I've never seen a reliever who gives up more base runners but gets the job done then soriano, or it certainly feels that way
And Espinosa heating up, he is showing he can do it.
If this keeps up, he can become a key trade chip for an sp of Garza, nolasco caliber
I'm hoping we're up by enough that it's not a save situation. Storen seems to be Davey's go-to closer of choice when Soriano is unavailable and despite yesterday's great outing...I'd rather not see him.
yes, and they used him 3 days in a row. I hope they can use Krol/Abad/Clippard to give some rest to rafael
Of course, the player with the least time off has been Desmond. He has had exactly one off day this season, May 19 at San Diego. Espinosa replaced him (and, unsurprisingly, went 0 for 4). You would think he should get some time off in the second half, but who would replace him?
lombo could, you could move Rendon to SS also
I was in 314 yesterday
My understanding of this guy pitching is that he's a rookie with a good fastball, but can't command his secondary pitches. Sounds kind of like a less-impressive Zach Wheeler. Hope we welcome him the same way we welcomed Wheeler.
Tables at about 312
Desmond has come out and said he doesn't want days off. I'm not convinced that everyone needs them. There are guys (rare, but they happen) who play every inning the entire season. Adam Jones for the O's (vomit) did it last year. Machado was doing it this year til he got ejected.
I was behind you MNF, standing. Could not sit next to the Mayor of Natstown in my usual seats, sect 135, row C....too hot. He was there the whole game...admirable
Need to get this one. Since GIO Zimm and Stras definitely not pitching tomorrow.
I was shocked when he went 3 up 3 down Friday night.
good..they should be patient against the rookie.
I was in row H second from back, sitting with Mrs Manassas.
All coming off DL have played well.
Haren will pitch well even in Philly.
perfect seats in my book...May change my Teddy plan seats next year, but will miss the Mayor and his groupies.
Wonk, don't think I'll make it much before first pitch unfortunately. I'll recognize you though since we've met before. I'll have on a white Stras shirsey. If you feel like wandering over after the third inning, I'll try to make a quick dippin dots run at that time with the youngster who'll be with me.
My buddy I often go with has Teddy in 313
Ryan Zimerman hasn't had a throwing error since June 9. Of course, he's had a few fielding errors...but still.
Ray Knight just did a pre-game interview with Stammen and called him the most valuable pitcher. The whole interview was sugarcoated and Stammen says he feels great. Ray never asked him what's been wrong in his last 6 appearances. He's had 1 good relief appearance within that span.
Here's the numbers in his last 6 appearances, 8 innings, 10 runs scored, 6 of them on Stammen's ERA and 4 on the starter's ERA as he allowed 4 inherited runners to score.
Ray can lob Stammen the easy ones, but get real, there's something wrong. Since May 31st he has also picked up 2 losses when he gave it up in tie games.
Stras with the breaker for the K on the lefty!
What a curve on eah of the first 2
Stras with the breaker breaker K on 2 lefties and the righty somehow pulls the outside pitch just past Desi for a single. Just when we were all thinking No Hitter.
That might've been Strasbrug's most dominant inning of the year, despite the hit. That was absolutely filthy.
Despite a hit, Stras looked really solid.
David we agree.
Look at Span going the other way lately. That's a great sign.
Span getting a hit off of the lefty is a big deal. That's the way to make your manager look smart.
Way to go Denard! Lead off hit off the LH, then get in scoring position.I wouldn't even entertain the possibility of moving him down in the order.
Look at Desi going the other way with a smart out. Now Span sitting at 3rd with 1 out. That's situational bat control.
Harper with another RBI and a hit against a lefty
Harper goes oppo single!
Davey is a genius ;)
Three hitters, nobody pulling the ball, or swinging for a six-run home run. Pitcher pounding the strike zone.
Way to go, Harper!
(Also, Quinn Wolcott? What is this, the Algonquin or a ballgame? Oh, nevermind.)
It's not the twenties yet. Silly to blame it on dates, anyway.
This guy must have a weird delivery or something. He blew fastballs by both Zim and Werth (although Werth made the out on a curve).
Erlin is a lefty who in inning 1 looked solid against righties and not so ggo against lefties.
Not normal.
Left handlers 2-2 and right handlers 0-3 against the LHP.
Owe you a beer, MNF!
LH actually hit Erlin better, according to his stats. Way better. Wonder if Davey realized that when he took LaRoche out. Was probably a scheduled day off for Adam anyway though.
I was hoping the Nats were going to knock this kid out in the 1st. 1 run in that inning is lucky for the Padres. RZim up with a 3-0 count and then goes down on 3 straight in the zone.
Oh well. 1 run is better than none.
It's 92 here--anybody see a temperature on the field? There's sure no shade out there today.
A DC Wonk said...
Section 222 said...
Wonk, if your'e reading. I'll be there in 314. See you at the picnic tables beforehand if I get there in time.
The picnic tables are, what, 312 or so?
Also -- how do we recognize each other (since we don't have "NI" signs yet?
I've been saying for a while that someone should come to each game with an 8 x 11 sheet of paper that says, "NIDO Settlement Here."
I won't be able to do it for a while; Cunegonde and I are in France until July 14. Going to bed each night before first pitch, waking up to fire up my phone and checking MLB At Bat. Hardly an adequate substitute.
Update: Nephew #1 (lives in DC, also a Nats fan also here in Provence) just walked into the room - "Nats on top, one-nothing."
Is it me or is Strasburg's velocity down? A lot of 93s.
Stras looked good first 6 batters than suddenly....
David Proctor said...
LH actually hit Erlin better, according to his stats. Way better. Wonder if Davey realized that when he took LaRoche out. Was probably a scheduled day off for Adam anyway though.
That's an interesting analysis. Definitely need to see where that goes today.
Thank goodness the pitcher was up. All 93-94 in that inning.
Braves behind by 2 runs.
Stras has thrown 33 pitches and only 2 changeups. Fastballs and curves today so far.
Is it me or is Strasburg's velocity down? A lot of 93s.
Maybe he's pacing himself in the heat?
How many times will Carp refer to Everth Cabrera as the All Star today.
Stras's velo is definitely off today unless the radar gun needs recalibration.
I wonder what the stadium gun says.
Stras reared back against the pitcher on the K and was at 94.
Ghost, over-under? I'll put it at 6.5. I think he's got 2 already.
Curveball K of Everth Cabrera tightened up this time to start over the middle of the plate. Great call as the batter was thinking changeup.
Definitely over 6.5. He's at 3 now ;)
That last pitch was 96 on the black. So nevermind.
David, I wonder if they recalibrated the radar gun in the 3rd inning.
So that's two things Strasburg is clearly not concerned about today: pitch count and hitting people.
Batter would have been dead there with a decent throw.
Rendon rushed that needlessly.
Not a good throw from Rendon
Strasbug is like jekyl and hyde. Great or throwing way to many balls.
My buddy and I said that where Suzuki bears Ramos is catching throws coming in. Ren dons throw not easy to catch, but should habeen caught. He was out by 4 teps. Jyst catxh it.
The throw from Rendon was awful. That kind of throw could put Ramos back on the DL
Rushed but catchable
Learning Moment there, maybe, for Rendon. With his back to the play, it's hard to see where the runner is when you take the throw. Next time, he'll know to check quickly first, and know who's running. Still, even rushing it, he needs to get that closer. I expect he will, next time.
You expose your catcher with a high throw like that. That HBP comes back to bite Stras.
The runner was not close to home, so no danger, though had he been close then danger.
Wasnt a good throw, but it was catchable.
Manassas Nats' Fan said...
Rushed but catchable
That didn't take long. It's a catcher's mitt not a fielder's glove. Sheesh.
Stras has been Jekyll or Hyde this game. Great pitches and terrible ones.
Cardinal sin walking the opposing pitcher even if it is the Silver Slugger.
Another failed Span bunt. I don't get why he keeps trying it.
Did i say easy? No catchable.
If Span could get those bunts a foot or 2 closer to the 3rd base line those outs would be hits.
Well, it was catchable in the sense that Ramos did get the mitt on it, so it's possible it might have stuck, but "should have been caught"? No way.
I basically watch 20 games a week and seen about 50%-60% like that caught
MNF, catchable by Joe Mauer and some of those other 6'5" catchers.
Ramos had to leap into the air to even get his mitt on it. I don't think that's fair.
He fails because he places bunts in the wrong place. Lefty pitching. Bunt to first base side toward second baseman.
That works too
Posey caught 2 last night Brandon Crawford threw just like it. He is not that tall.
For the record, Ramos lists as 6 foot, even. He did well to get to that at all.
Need Zim to come up here.
Manassas Nats' Fan said...
I basically watch 20 games a week and seen about 50%-60% like that caught
Really 50-60% like those caught in a week? I rarely see throws like that. Most throws to home are caught on a line or bounced in or way offline.
I must be watching different games because this is my 88th Nats game of the year and the 1st I've seen all season thrown that high to a Nats catcher.
I never said it was easy, i said catchable. Not complaining as much as you guys are defending.
GRAND SLAM RYAN ZIMMERMAN!!!
ZIM!!!
Posey lists as 6' 1", but looking at their body types, I'm guessing anybody nicknamed "Buffalo" didn't get that for his ups.
A Granny from the Z man!!!!
Zim looked good.
Sorry if I'm piling on, there, MNF.
This is the Nats last year. First time around the order, sometimes they did damage, but not always. Second time around, WATCH OUT.
C'mon, Rendon, we want pizza!
Nats at the 4.70 and Stras got run support!
I plam to drop as you guys think i am complaining though i was commenting not complaining.
Avila caught a similar about 10 minutes ago and missed the tag.
It was a hard play leave it that.
RENDON!!! HALF OFF PIZZA AGAIN
I AM the Summoner today! Cool!
Time to pile it on!!
Rendoner!
wow sofa, you called that one.
Speaking for myself, I thought you were commenting, not complaining. Again, sorry for beating the horse.
Rendon back over .300
Way to go, Zim! Four rounds of NATS! NATS! NATS!
And now Anthony Rendon! YOWSA!!!
MNF, it was a very tough ball to catch, not impossible. None the less, I have seen a lot of catchers get seriously hurt by getting their legs cut out from under them on high throws to the plate. The fault on that play, in my opinion, no matter how I look at the replay, was Rendon's.
Man Tyler Moore is slow. I thought he would beat that out. "Wheels" LaRoche would have!
Comment not complaint, as far as Cabrerra was in the hole, tyler Moore slower tgan molsses.
So, do you want Ramos to clear the pitcher here, or just let him get back on the mound and lead off next inning?
Why in the world did RZ swing at a first pitch with the bases loaded and the pitcher in trouble ;-)
Sorry, I had wrote that while watching the HR's. Also didn't mean to pile on.
I was thinking, too, for a guy with such long legs (he's 6'2"), Moore looks like he should be faster. But then that doesn't really correlate, does it?
Wonk, he took the fastball last AB at 3-0. He must be reading this between innings, and adapting.
; )
I just like watching an actual center fielder play center field. Maybe it's just me.
Bolt is 6'5" i think
According to some he should be in left, but not most of us.
Manassas Nats' Fan said...
Posey caught 2 last night Brandon Crawford threw just like it. He is not that tall.
July 07, 2013 2:35 PM
The shame for you is that I actually watched the entire Dodgers game last night and there was only 1 play at home and it was a low catchable throw 3rd to home.
Please don't make up lies. I am attaching the videotape of the only throw home which is near the end of the video highlights.
http://wapc.mlb.com/play/?content_id=28676555&query=%26game_pk%3D348047
Why doesn't Strasburg throw his changeup much anymore? Don't get me wrong, his curve has been FILTHY, but the change was his out pitch for much of the year. It seems like he's going to it way less.
Certainly doesn't seem to be holding INSANE back much, does it? Watching Randy Johnson run was the first thing that came to my mind. That was not pretty.
Stras hitting 95-97 now. Much better.
I hate to see Strasburg walk that guy!
When I coached young outfielders we used to have a drill where we put a trash can on the ground on its side, at the plate, with the opening facing 2nd base, and had fielders throw the ball into the can on one bounce.
Phillies up 4-0 on the Barves.
Dammit. Strasburg was looking so good
Walks and HBPs biting Stras in the rear end today.
Was last night might been friday and the ball was caught but no play as the runners held at thirsmd. Cain was backing up ready to catch.
Joe Morgan-esque; anything that flies that high and far ought to have a [darned] stewardess.
Stras taking tips from Zimm on not wanting a large lead?
BJ Upton up with men on 3rd and 2nd and no outs and K's on 4 pitches.
One he had to go on tip toes, one stretching up. Looking back Cain pitched Friday not last night.
I flip many games at same times, and mix nights and sometimes even games
Just my opinion, of course, but I think MNF has earned the benefit of the doubt in here, that he must be mistaken if he mis-states a material fact. YMMV.
Our guys want support, but pitch better without.
Another day off???? I mean geez, really?
I'd highly prefer we stay up by at least 4 (hopefully more) so that we don't have to use our "A" bullpen.
BJ Upton has struck out in 50 straight games.
MNF, I watch almost every Dodgers game too so I watched Friday night also. Now you are saying there was no play at the plate.
Let's just move on. It was a lousy throw and Rendon will learn to never elevate a throw to a catcher like that as you will injure your catcher.
What's up with TWO HBP from Strasburg? I'm working and can only monitor the game from the MLB app. Seems off and weird for him.
Pettibone gets out of it 4-1 and the pitcher knocked in the only run as they had 3rd and 2nd with no outs.
Last year was N3 for Bryce for the Final Man vote.
JaneB, Stras went from unhittable to just missing badly. Strange.
Carp loves Bud Black's brilliant career 121-116 3.84 ERA.
Strasburg has been all over the place. One inning he has pinpoint command and is unhittable, the next time he can't hit a spot to save his life. It's frustrating.
Medlin buzzed Dominic Brown back. Then homered 5-1
Get Blanks here Stras and get back in the dugout.
David I said he is like Jekyll and Hyde all game
Strasburg isn't making it easy, but that scoreless inning was big. I suspect Stras has 1 more inning in him with the bottom of the lineup coming up.
Huge K of Blanks who is a big HR guy! Scary there with 2 men on and a 4 run lead!
Fire Eck. Just remaining consistent.
The pitch Blanks fanned on similar one Brown hit off. Medlin.
Agreed
10 changeups for Stras so far today but none for K's.
Agreed
Knee seems fine
Curve though has been nasty
That is really amazing.
Heads up play by Harper
Let's get an add on run. (Or several)
Strasburg is throwing the 2 types of curveballs today and both are killer. He has the big hook and the tighter that drops in the dirt out of the zone. Nasty.
I wish Nats pitchers threw more of those out of the zone breakers that look like strikes for 55 feet. Only guy who can hit those retired (Vlad Guerrero).
Phillies bullpen is in. Bad news.
Strasburg looks so uptight on the mound. I realize he's a very reserved guy, but I wish he would just relax. I think he'd be even better if he didn't put so much pressure on himself.
Or maybe that pressure on himself is what makes him so good. Who knows.
Phillies escape again with 2 on. Still 5-1 heading to Phillies up in bottom of 6.
I flipped when 1-0 then a commercial figured 3rd out.
Amarista to center. He's a lover, not a fighter--but he's also a fighter, so don't get any ideas.
David, Stras just strives for perfection on each pitch. Nobody is harder on himself than Stras and that's what makes him so special.
Thanks Hunley
Gee, that's an E-4.
We just got Strasburg those 2 runs back from the homer.
Keep the line moving
OK, this is where I start to think, "Save some for tomorrow, boys..."
Cardinals re-aligned their rotation and Wainwright will now pitch on Tuesday and again on Sunday if there are no rainouts. The new CBA says by team/player decision there is now an option where the player can pitch no more than 1 inning in the All Star game.
It will be interesting if Waino decides he sits and if he does I'm thinking Stras is next man up for an All Star game invite.
Sec. 3, My Sofa said...
Gee, that's an E-4.
July 07, 2013 3:27 PM
You are a bad bad Sofa. Play nice! E-2
Naah. E-4. That was a high throw that has to be caught. He didn't even have to leave his feet. That's an E-4 in Ponce de Leon.
Cleared the bases not what we wanted but 3 runs in
Strasburg getting into the act!
And Stras gets an RBI!
Ramos and T-Mo the only guys without hits at this point
Keep the line moving.
OK, I don't like DH, but speaking of Ponce, how about designated baserunners for the pitcher, if he should reach? Maybe only with 2 outs?
Sec3, LMAO, I knew where you were going with that! I saw 2 thrown like that yesterday caught by the 2nd baseman ;)
Phillies 6-1 on wld pitch
Phillies winning 7-1 now after a wild pitch and a ball thrown away.
Smatt1001 said...
Ramos and T-Mo the only guys without hits at this point
Desi also with no hits so far but each have put balls in play.
Now 7-1 after 6
And here's to the good times!!!!
I've got new central AC and the Nats are hitting insanely but I'm outside digging in the dirt ?
WTF
least caught the last 4....
And Stras may actually get a win
This could be a really good day for the Nationals if all scores stay like this.
He cant get Amerista "The Little Ninja" out
Mariners beat Reds 3-1, so we are ,4 out of wild csrd slot 2. Tie goes to Nats
Well, he got him.
He was trying to move, just not fast enough.
Strasburg is plunking Padres left and right. It's not intentional, but Strasburg is probably happy he's not batting again. Wouldn't surprise me if they plunked him.
Stras needs to take care of biz here. 3 HBPs. Crazy.
Strasburg pulling out his inner Bob Gibson.
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