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| Mark Zuckerman / NATS INSIDER |
Yes, Hairston will lead off tonight, a curious spot for him given his career .299 on-base percentage (.233 this season). But perhaps Davey Johnson didn't want to throw his whole lineup out of whack with Denard Span getting the night off, so it was easiest to keep everyone else in place and just put Hairston at the top. We'll see how this works out. We'll also see how Bryce Harper does in center field, the first time he's started out there this season.
Taylor Jordan, meanwhile, makes his third career start, hoping to take another positive step forward. With Ross Detwiler now on the DL, the rookie right-hander knows he'll get at least one more start (Sunday in Miami), so he shouldn't feel the pressure to have to perform tonight. Maybe that will allow him to relax and just do his thing.
Updates to come, please check back...
WASHINGTON NATIONALS at PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES
Where: Citizens Bank Park
Gametime: 7:05 p.m. EDT
TV: MASN2, MLB.tv
Radio: WJFK (106.7 FM), WFED (1500), XM 183
Weather: Chance of storms, 86 degrees, Wind 5 mph out to RF
NATIONALS (46-43)
LF Scott Hairston
SS Ian Desmond
CF Bryce Harper
3B Ryan Zimmerman
RF Jayson Werth
1B Adam LaRoche
2B Anthony Rendon
C Kurt Suzuki
RHP Taylor Jordan
PHILLIES (44-46)
CF Ben Revere
SS Jimmy Rollins
2B Chase Utley
LF Domonic Brown
3B Michael Young
RF Delmon Young
1B Darin Ruf
C Carlos Ruiz
LHP Cole Hamels
UMPIRES
HP Vic Carapazza
1B Gary Cederstrom (cc)
2B Kerwin Danley
3B Lance Barksdale
7:08 p.m. — We are underway with a strike from Cole Hamels to Scott Hairston. A muggy 86 degrees at gametime.
7:13 p.m. — The good news: Hairston still owns Hamels. He singled to center to improve to 13-for-31 in his career against the lefty. The bad news: Ian Desmond grounded into a double play and Bryce Harper struck out looking at a curveball from Hamels. Onto the bottom of the first.
7:20 p.m. — Apparently, it's "Hit a leadoff single, then erase it with a double-play grounder" night at the ballpark. The Phillies just did the same thing as the Nats in the bottom of the first. Ben Revere singled to center, only to be wiped out on Jimmy Rollins' 4-6-3 double play. Taylor Jordan completes the inning on 10 pitches, 6 strikes. Scoreless after one.
7:27 p.m. — You know, it hasn't gotten a whole lot of attention, but Jayson Werth has been on an extended tear at the plate. He just crushed a 1-1 changeup from Hamels into the bleachers in left-center, giving the Nats a 1-0 lead in the second. Add that homer to his previous 22 games, and Werth's slash line is now .377/.456/.597. That's quite impressive over a significant stretch of games.
7:52 p.m. — He's given up several hard-hit balls, but Jordan has managed to face the minimum through three innings so far. The kid looks more and more comfortable with each inning he gets up here. He's at 40 pitches, 24 strikes, so far tonight. Nats still lead 1-0 after three.
8:09 p.m. — Well, that was ... well, that was not pretty. With a man on second base and two outs in the fourth, Domonic Brown lined a single to right. Werth came up firing to the plate, and though his throw was on-time, Kurt Suzuki couldn't handle the short-hop and the ball scooted away. Worse, Suzuki then misfired to second base trying to get Brown advancing, but that throw skipped into center field for an error. And worst of all, replays showed Chase Utley never even touched the plate. Bad call by Vic Carapazza, but some ugly defense from the Nats, too. This game is now tied 1-1 after four.
8:16 p.m. — Five offensive innings in the books, and the Nats have nothing other than Werth's homer and Hairston's leadoff single. Well, and a pair of plunkings via Hamels at Suzuki. That's both old-school and prestigious. Some might call it fake-tough, but I won't go there. Still 1-1 heading to the bottom of the fifth.
8:32 p.m. — Boy, the double-play ball has been big for Jordan tonight. He's induced three of them in five innings, helping keep the damage to a minimum. That's where a good sinkerball pitcher really makes a difference. Jordan is at 72 pitches through five, ready to return for at least one more inning of what remains a 1-1 game.
8:59 p.m. — The third time around the lineup was a problem for Jordan in his two previous starts, and it was again tonight. He retired only one of five batters faced in the sixth, though he wasn't helped by his defense. LaRoche was charged with a tough error on a potential 3-6-3 double play. Unfortunately, the ball hit Rollins and skipped past Desmond into left field, allowing a run to score. Michael Young's two-run double, though, was the big blast, and it came before Davey could get Jordan out of the game. The Nats now trail 4-1 after six, and Jordan will remain winless through his first three career starts.
9:11 p.m. — Well, at least they put a couple of guys on base in the seventh. It was a couple of infield singles that did it, but at least the Nats gave themselves a chance against Hamels. And then Suzuki skied a fly ball to shallow center field, ending that rally. It remains 4-1 at the stretch, and the Nats are down to their last six outs.
9:31 p.m. — Huge opportunity for the Nats in the eighth. They loaded the bases with one out, and Charlie Manuel came to the mound, ostensibly to take Hamels out. Except Hamels talked his way back in. And then he backed it up. He struck out Zimmerman on three pitches, the last a 92-mph high fastball. Werth then battled to a full count before skying a flyball to center to end the inning with the Nats still trailing 4-1. Not the result you wanted, but that was some pretty good theater for July 9.
9:38 p.m. — Last chance for the Nats. It'll be LaRoche, Rendon and Suzuki in the ninth. Left-hander Antonio Bastardo enters from the pen, perhaps only to face LaRoche.
9:54 p.m. — That's it. The Nats lose 4-2 — Wilson Ramos delivered a two-out RBI double off the right-field wall but Scott Hairston made the final out to end it — dropping their second straight in Philly. That leaves them at 46-44.
272 comments:
«Oldest ‹Older 1 – 200 of 272 Newer› Newest»Hairston's career OBP vs. lefties is .318. Also, if you're putting him in the lineup because you like the matchup with Hamels in particular, leadoff is a good place to do it, since there's a greater chance of him getting an extra AB vs. Hamels in that spot. Span's still there to pinch-hit against a righty reliever or as a defensive replacement.
I guess I'm saying leadoff seems as good a spot as any for him.
How about a nice big L for Colbert? Yeah, that sounds good. And a nice curly W for the Nats, of course.
Go, TJ! Go, NATS!!
Ok hitters get the sticks working . If inside pull , if outside go the other way, in the middle hit it up middle.
Good--Davey took my advice about putting Harps in CF, SCair in LF.
Now, who do I talk to about upgrading the hotdogs??
GooooooooooooNats!
Mark - is that photo the actual view from the press box? Looks like you're inside a giant metal catfish, looking out.
I guess it's ok for Hairston to lead off. Just as long as it's not one of those darn youngsters..... And, get off my lawn.
hiram
wow - giant metal catfish. i think i have one of their albums on vinyl somewhere.
gyfng!
"Giant metal catfish."
Man, I'm gonna have to change my name again.
I was sure Hairston would replace Span tonight, but I am a little surprised that Harper and not Hairston is in CF.
How have I gone through my entire life* and never used the phrase "giant metal catfish"?
Might as well go back to lying in a hammock at William Duffy’s farm in Pine Island, Minnesota.
* to date
Need this one tonight. My office mate is a philthy fan and he's just riding me.
I would have done the following lineup:
Werth, Harper Zim, LaRoche, Desmond, Hairston, Rendon, Suzuki.
But whatever. Let the games begin.
Hairston leading off...very curious and excited to see how this goes!
Hairston hasn't played CF this year at all. Last year, he played there in only 13 games, compared to a total of 94 in the corner outfield positions. So not surprising the Bryce gets moved over. He can handle it. Heck, he might even enjoy himself.
I reeeeally want this one from Colbert. Man I still hold a grudge against him for plunking The Kid.
GYFNG! Lots of face eating. Pleeeeease.
His brother has played center but not Scott.
Manassas
If you check fangraphs, etc, you'll see that 222 is indeed correct. Both brothers have played CF, but Scott has done it a little more, and more recently.
Back in 2009 Scott got almost half his ABs in CF. In recent years, he's played far fewer games there, and none this year. Age has taken its toll on his speed I guess.
Jerry played a bunch of games in CF for the Nats in 2011.
This is Harper's first start in CF this year, but he did play several innings there back in April after a double-switch.
Philly relatives are burning up the electronic airwaves trash talking. Apparently our " little pitcher boy" cannot possibly withstand the rigors of playing in their esteemed ballpark against the great and powerful Cole. I may vomit. Come on Jordan the Second!!!
The goal of the Philly trip, to me, given the pitchers, is 2/4. Then win 2/3 against the Fish. I have tonight's game as a loss, but that would mean we have to beat Cliff Lee with Gio on the mound tomorrow. We did it last time, albeit in extra innings.
I have seen jerry play there, hadnt seen Scott do it. But figured both play a lot of places.
That is indeed the view from the press box here, though I used the panoramic function on my camera phone, so it probably distorts things a bit.
I mentioned last night, giants out field was terrible last night. On Intention Talk they will talk about it.
including tonight...73 games left...5 out of first 4 out of wild card....not too bad at all...
I am concerned about middle relief and 5th starter and who knows maybe a 4th starter due to det's injuries...the middle relief may be the biggest problem facing the team...
not sure about Ohlendorf, Abad and Stammen...those are the big question marks
what is interesting about Hairston is that he is finally playing with players significantly better than the Cubs...he could very well be a huge gain for this team
"And lo, under the bridge there came a Catfish, and he was very big, and he was walking, and he was the biggest he had seen."
David...tonight is 50/50...Nats could very well hit the ball well tonight
"I think I go down,
to old Kansas Stew
I'm gonna bring back my second cousin,
that little Johnny Cocheroo"
time to chill, later gang...
Final tonight Nsts 5 Philthies 3
Rebdon got rid of the mullet.
Thanks for the confirmation, Mark, and for the opportunity to use "giant metal catfish"--a first for me too, as for Scooter.
It really depends on which Hamels shows up. He's so inconsistent this year. One day, he's lights out, the next he gets knocked around a bit. I hope it's the latter.
Hole Camels lasts 6 1/3 innings and gets tagged for 4 runs on 8 hits and a walk. TJo lasts 5 2/3 and gives up 2 runs on 5 hits with 3 strikeouts. Phils terrorize our middle relievers, but Papelbomb comes in and gets blown up again in the 9th, sending the Phanatics into hysterical fits replete with gnashing of teeth and rend(on)ing of clothes. Final: Nats 6, Phils 5.
Hamels has had a poor season, but he all to long has been a Nats killer.
mick said....
not sure about Ohlendorf, Abad and Stammen...those are the big question marks
-----------------------------------------------
I'm not sure I agree. I do agree that at the moment, Stammen is shaky at best (along with Storen), but look at the lines for Ohly, Abad and I'll throw in Krol:
Ohly 10 2/3 IP, 10H, 1BB, 9K, 2.53 ERA, 1.03 WHIP
Abad 17 2/3 IP, 16H, 2BB, 19K, 1.53 ERA, 1.02 WHIP
Krol 12 2/3 IP, 6H, 1BB, 13K, 1.42 ERA, 0.55!! WHIP
What the heck else do you want out of your middle relievers?
Krol's the man. I have no idea why Davey is letting him sit so long between appearances. He's a hot hand right now. Ride him!
Krol hasn't worked in over a week as far as I know. I suspect he'll be in the game today with Ohlendorf being unavailable and Jordan pitching.
I don't know if this was mentioned. Giants picked up Frenchy. Now watch him turn into another Scutaro.
Wait, I did that wrong.
What the heck else do you want out of your middle relievers?
Strand inherited runners.
Small samples, but Ohlendorf, the two times he's come in with runners on, has stranded only one of four (two of the four scored on that one HR, IIRC); Abad, in 3 appearances with IR, has stranded all four of his; and Krol only has 2 appearances with IR, and he's stranded both of his.
And Krol last pitched July 2.
Yeonis cespides in the HR derby
GYFNG! I hope they kick Colbert's butt! Jerk
I really don't concern myself with who's pitching. If we can consistently score 4 to 5 a game then I'll worry. I thought we were there. Hopefully last night was just a bump. Was really hoping we could get to 2 or 3 games back before All star.
Philthies make me real nervous. Just like coffee to billy bob in sling blade.
Last week they went 5-2. In the 2 losses they scored a total of 1 run.
TyJo looking a little nervous walking around the field during warmups...
Don't fret, young Jedi, feast...feast on face!
He's probably being heckled by those idiot Philly fans.
With all the Nats hairstyles and facial hair, Hairston's totally bald, shiny head really stands out. Yikes.
There goes the no hitter
Hairston lives up to his billing against Hamels.
Erased fast
...and a double play.
Nice start, Cleanhead!
This ump doesn't like low pitches
Just tap that curve foul and get anotger pitch.
Batters in the old days did that a lot. Now a days very rarely done compared to then.
Ball in the middle hit up the middle, jordan's glive just missed it.
Nice inning. Faced the minimum. Utley hit the ball hard though.
But not elivated.
Werth
We need to line more of the pop ups.
This ump not calling low strikes each pitchers denied 2 so far.
Tight zone.
ump stinks.
He was tight on Hamels too. Hamels smart enough to adjust, but werth homer probably result of having to adjust
Suzuki is getting a workout tonight and it's the 2nd inning.
Good pick Desi.
Need less balls Jordan.
3 batters 18 pitches, not efficient, but at least 0 runs.
Is Suzuki obligated to steal home?
At least Taylor knows how to lay down a bunt.
Uh...that pitch to Hairston was MUCH worse than the one by Jordan.
agreed. some really weird strikezone.
NJ, any idea when I could see Giolito pitch?
Not calling it the same for both pitchers
The blue behind the plate is getting my nerves.... I hate this SZ...
This is a veteran ump tightening the zone for the rookie pitcher. I hate that bulls***. A strike is a strike.
This jordon kid is good. Real good
Yikes, I thought Hamels had a homer there.
Colbert...warning track power.
That's a shame. Just a shame.
Jerk.
how can you not love the philly fanatic...he/she really is a great mascot.
I'll admit...I hate the Phillies...but I like the Phanatic.
DP, San Diego Chicken has always been my favorite but the Phanatic is a close 2nd.
SD Chicken was named one of the 100 most powerful people in sports for the 20th century by The Sporting News.
This kid jordon to be throwing in Philly with those asshole people and an ump who is squeezing him big time. I take my hat off to him.
He pitched today
YMMV, but I don't know that I'd enjoy that mascot crawling all over me during a game.
I am surprised that ended a double, harper musr been shaded to left.
Well that was something.
Oh man. A LIttle League play. Ugh.
Unh...
We looked like little leaguers tgere.
Suzuki catches he is out. Then easy out at secobd he tgrows to center.
that hurt...
I take back every bad thing I've ever said about Wilson Ramos's catching ability.
Jordan is going to give up a run or two folks. Unreasonable to expect a shutout from a guy in his third start. He got out of that with one run, no big deal.
I hate my keyboard, the "h" seens so far ight.
Oh well.
Not an easy play, but the catcher is a major leaguer so we expect them to make the plays. Rarely drops the ball.
Horrible calls at home plate for Jordan.
No need to do that Sunshine. Zuki has made quite a few fantastic tags at the plate, but that was are really tough chance. And Ramos is not quite there on that aspect of the game.
Still wondering about Utley',s hit, it didn't look like a double off tge bat. Would love to see where Harper was playing?
Hamels sure loves hitting Nats...
Here's an idea: Why don't we plunk Colbert in the ribs next time he comes to bat?
We need to drill Hamels...I don't think he is throwing at Suzuki esp with an 0-2 count but would still like to see him get drilled.
I tweeted obligation line to FP after firstHBP . Now uses my line.
Should of been out of inning if our catcher can frickin catch. Also. Mick or sjm or even nats jack, as he used to catch for falls church's legendary Jake The Snake Jacobs. Is the catcher supposed to go up in front of plate 3-4 feet like a second baseman? I always thought he hangs in there
somebody get a freakin hit
get a 48 oz bat and just aim it somewhere
Suzuki is so good at that play, i just assumed Utley would be out. Was shocked he dropped it.
Ian Desmond shaved his chin in between innings. That's new.
Ian shaved in between at bats? That's bizarre!
Not sure why we can hit lije crazy over tge weekend, and lay a team with the same ERA and we get 8 hits in 14 innings.
Sure hit
He throwing the ball over the middle and driving right at him.
Now move tge ball around
2 on, nobody out in the 5th. Time to at least get someone up in the bullpen. Davey? Hello, Davey?
Jordan is up this inning so far.
yeah,,,,they may score 2 runs asnd that's too much for our lineup
Nice turn Rendon
nice turn by the kid.
Nice!
glad Davey is hard of hearing.
O ye of little faith
Get em Jordan
Ok Davey, never mind.
Rendon is a keeper.
now HYFNH
his location that inning was not good but he got out of it, nice job, really need the offense to wake up.
Hold my breath every time Zim makes a throw but that was a good one. And yes, a good turn by Rendon.
Kids pitching great. Unfortunately Hamel is just AWESOME. I mean he is 3 and 11.
hmmm, I guess the beard wasn't the problem
Minus yesterday's 9 th we have 5 hits in 13 innings against Lannan and Hamels. Yuck
So they're back to swinging for five-run homers with the bases empty. Will somebody please not pull a ball, just once?
Poor plate approaches....
Harper just trotted down the line. :-(
Cole Hamels, 3-11, 4.38 ERA
is a superstar
Padres series was a fluke. Oh yes mr Negative is here. And Zuki should have caught that ball. Score should be 1 0
You can exhale, Knoxville; Zim's throws have been right there, for the most part, for the past several weeks. I think he's OK now. I really do.
no fluke...just less patient in philly
I hate the Os. But they give up a 4 spot top of 5 th. now they get up and immediately battle back and our threatening. The Nats are so very frustrating. At times they seem to just quit. No sense of urgency.
Missed target just enough for Revere to hit it.
I think this Jordan kid will be sticking around a while. Now if he can just keep the ball down...
Good point Jeffwx. But why? Do they not want to win? It seems unprofessional at times. It's like the fans care more than the players.
Get him outta there Davey. Before its too late.
Ok, never mind that never mind Davey. Jordan's tiring, at least get someone up to replace him if he allows another hard hit base hit.
Gotta go lefty here. Get him out.
If anything they are showing too much urgency. You can't play this game better by trying harder--you have to relax and concentrate.
THIS is what quitting, and no sense of urgency, looks like.
i think they are just pressing too hard. They've certainly shown they can hit.
i hate to give Darth Hamels any credit.
Argggg no balls (good) but leaving pitches in the middle part of the plate to hit.
With our hitters taking night off again, you cannot give up any more runs
Of course no one's up. Haven't used Ian Krol in a week. Heart of Phillies left handed heavy lineup coming up. Why would you have someone up?
WTF????????
You just knew it was a matter of time
Defense las ,2 innings has been awful
Jeez,,,they can't hit or field for taylor. At least with Zimmermann last year, they just wouldn't hit.
Taylor is pitching well.... Defense is letting him down...
Sheesh... We make it tough on this kid....
Bad throw but ian needs to block it at the worse.
This team is pathetic. Just pathetic. Ian Desmond an allstar???? No way. I'm sure I'll be killed here but I am just sick sick sick of sloppy lackadaisical play.
This team is just not good enough to give outs away but I fear they will continue the season long trend of poor decisions, poor fielding and worse hitting. But they will have spurts that will excite us.
This is not a playoff team. The Braves can't throw up on themselves that much.
MNF, they said it hit him in the back, if so, nothing Desi can do about that but I could not tell...we can't let any more runs in with our lack of offense.
When I see defensive play such as we've seen tonight by the Nats, I'm reminded of something Casey Stengall once said about the "Amazin Mets", "can't anyone here play this game?"
Then quit watching or watch another team. Easy solution.
We are winning the east.
Unh...
Right down the middle on that one.
Game over!
Tris Speaker gets that ball
Davey, Davey, Davey. Oh Davey. That one's on you my friend.
It did hit him the back then if his body it falls sraight down not roll by
another horrible location pitch on a 1-2 count but when the defense is kicking the ball all over the place, am sure the kid got a bit excited.
Nope nats are my team. I will never stop rooting. But they stink. Davey has been awful this year.. And now with the game over out comes Davey. Well we will try again tomorrow,
They only play bad when a rookie is pitching
I don't think it's on Davey. Jordan had worked out of several jams before and was still pitching well. He can't control the defense behind Jordan, which would be just as bad for whoever entered after him.
The fielders mad mistakes and Jordan threw too many in tge middle, that is a bad combo.
Does Span catch that ball?
Span catches that ball... But better D and only 1 run would have scored...
The one thing Jordan needs to work on is a putaway pitch. He has good stuff, but he doesn't really have a strikeout pitch. Pitch to contact works well and all, but sometimes you just need a K.
I don't think even Span catches that ball. It was in the deepest part of the ballpark.
Sc nats from 8 48. You are 100 percent correct.
You talk like you root for them at all. Always predicting negative.
I observe negative and always predict positive.
Idk... Blue also gave them some extra chances at the plate... This SZ stinks...
The hitters bad last night.
it would appear that Taylor is at a disadvantage when he is up 0-2 or 1-2 on the batter...not sure I have ever seen that
I bet he would be lot closer.
root for - definition
phrasal verb [transitive] informal
root for someone: to support someone in a game, competition, etc.
support: to like a particular sports team and to encourage them to win, especially by going to see their games
I'm just sayin.
Gonna take Manassas jacks advice. Go see a movie tommor and dinner Thursday. No need to watch a sweep.
MNF, was thinking the same re. Span, he probably does, Harper looked a little shallow to me but doesn't matter now, Young seems to hit us pretty well and the pitch was right over the plate...when you only score 1 run thru 6, you're not going to win many games.
hopefully Nats can get a split in Philly...2 more chances
With a little luck, they'll see Papelbon in the ninth. They can get him.
Jordan actually has done very well..the lack of hitting is disturbing
Okay sec 3. How bout 6 home games. 3 in Cleveland, 3 in Pittsburgh and 2 in Bmore where I almost died. I have a right to be pissed.
He was leaving the ball up DP. He put two on with none out two innings in a row. He's not one of our top 3 who have shown they can make it three times through the lineup and deserve a shot at getting out of those jams. We have a pretty fresh bullpen. Once, just once, I'd like to see Davey pull our No. 4 or No. 5 starter *before* they give up 4 runs, not after.
TJord pitched well. Defense didn't back him up.
Sec 3 --- gold star for your post at 8:57....
Desmond, RZim and Rendon have to show up against lefty pitchers or this just isn't a particularly good baseball team.
Mick???? Is that you. Have you been hypnotized?
Span might have caught that, but only because he might have been playing closer to that spot, not where Harper was. Starting where Harper was, I don't know that he gets there.
Look at deffinitions above you always predict negative, try predicting and believe in positive.
I am convinced we will win division because I encourage it never predict a negative futured learned that almost 60 years ago.
Makes cheering for a team much more fun.
I think Harper looked heavy legged goin for that ball.
Thought jordon was great
He got no hits first series. Killed us in Philly
Ghost, or the offensive...coach i spoke with this morning is correct... Nats batters always swinging for the fence...
I am still thinking 3. Don't give up so early.
Wasian...I said I would be positive from here on out,I feel your pain, believe me....
Pissed is ok, but negative future predictions aren't.
Still can win this.
I only predict negative because I am frustrated. I expect a win every night. But anyone who thinks this team is not underachieving is lying. With that being said Nats winning this 5. 4
stay positive mick!
I for one would much rather lose to the Mets than the Phillies, this is tough to watch, right now...drill Hamels please and make us all feel better, this team needs a some excitement, maybe a hockey fight or something or perhaps a speech from Tortorella, right mick?
Mick I'm gonna drink the kool aid with you my man. All positive from now on.
Except for Chad Tracy. Haha
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