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Hitting lowlight: Pick an inning. Any inning will suffice. The Nationals stranded the bases loaded in the first. They stranded two runners in the third. They stranded two in the seventh. They left the go-ahead runner on third base in the eighth. All told, the Nationals went 1-for-12 with runners in scoring position, leaving them 2-for-21 in this series and 6 for their last 66 in that situation. That simply won't cut it.
Pitching highlight: If ever a pitcher deserved better than his fate, it was tonight for Gonzalez. The left-hander was absolutely brilliant over six scoreless innings, matching his career high with 11 strikeouts. Gonzalez had good fastball command early in the count and then turned to his curveball time and again to strike the Dodgers out. He sat at only 98 pitches when the sixth inning ended, but with two on and two out in a scoreless game, Davey Johnson had to send a pinch-hitter to the plate. Bernadina delivered, briefly putting Gonzalez in line for the win. But that dissipated quickly when Storen allowed the tying run in the top of the seventh. Thus, a wasted effort for Gonzalez, who couldn't have pitched much better than this.
Key stat: Bernadina's sixth-inning RBI was only the eighth by a Nationals pinch-hitter this season. Only the Brewers (six) have fewer among NL clubs.
Up next: The series concludes with what, on paper, looks like the best pitching matchup of the weekend. All-Stars Jordan Zimmermann and Clayton Kershaw do battle at 1:35 p.m. Sunday.
154 comments:
You didn't wait long to post this, Mark. The buzzards are circling this team.
We actually have a better record than we deserve, so chew on that.
Was the crowd booing at the end? Or was that Davey?
So for argument sake: who do you sell? Zim, Werth, Harper, Desmond are going nowhere. Accept that.
LaRoche? I'm not sure anyone is looking for a 1B. No point in getting rid of him for nothing in return.
Storen? Value is an all-time low.
Suzuki and Soriano are the two best trade chips, if we should become sellers (and unless we go on a real hot streak at the end of this hoemstand, I have to admit we will become sellers).
Desi on 3rd with 1 out and the reliever in and Davey inserts Hairston against the RHP. That was the difference.
Span and Storen should be traded immediately.
What would you realistically get for either of them? You need to sell high, not low. Both are very, very low now. There's no point in selling if it's not going to fetch you some decent prospects.
Howard Beale says it all. I'm mad ss hell and I'm not going to takeit any more.
Actually going to the next 2 games.
Our hitters 6 for lsst 68 RISP. Hitters basically have quit.
Been watching 60 years and xtra innings 101 you protect the line. Why was Zim off yhe line twice. That has been baseball execution for years. Why?
Why Hairston hit against s righty. Am I crazy? This guy is terrible against righties.
Our starters pitch great.
Stammen is headed for Syracuse or should be he has not performed in last 11 appearance.
Davey to me has lost it and like taking a pet to vet, Rizzo should bail him out.
GoSM, this might have been the worst managed game I've ever seen.
@David: I don't think we sell. What do we get in return? A starting CF? A catcher who can catch the ball and make a tag at the same time? A third baseman who doesn't throw it in the third row? We don't have a whole lot to sell.
David, nobody is taking Suzuki unless there is a huge check written. Have you seen what he makes? Please speak with some knowledge.
Any two replacement players are better than Span or Storen, but people think they are better than they are because Storen went to Stanford and Span looks good getting thrown out trying to steal. We need them out of the rotation and bring up some AAA guys.
HAHAHAHA
Joke is on me i wasted a perfectly fine saturday night watching this crappy baseball team continue to embarrass.
I would have paid the price of admission just to be there to join in the boos after the final out.
Davey: "That was a tough one."
He says this several times a week....
We didn't do "nothing."
Tigers would take Storen
PChuck said...
GoSM, this might have been the worst managed game I've ever seen.
Worst of the season due to the multiple mistakes. Go back to leaving Storen in there. Nats win 1-0 if Davey brings in the lefty to face Schumaker.
"Just keep swinging."
Davey should be a fertility doctor for poor people....
Sorry, but a replacement player is not better than Span. You get way too hyperbolic, WODL.
this team deserves to be booed...no heart or guts at all
Davey's solution? "Just keep swinging."
No, no, no. That's the problem. We're swinging at horrible pitches. We're swinging at the pitcher's pitch.
Davey go kick dome ass, starting with your own.
I am mad as hell, and I dont think any of them are rxcept Jayson.
Davey is nit telling tge truth eck is a terrible hitting coach.
Not suggesting it, but what would the market bear for Gio Gonzalez?
Eckstein is the best hitting coach Davey's every had.
Davey just gave Eck a vote of confidence. We'll see how much currency that has.
this is the biggest bust in DC sports history...nothing comes close
Damn it press ask wgy zim off the line. That started the whole inning.
Check Span's OPS+. Last time I looked it was in the low 80's and I have had to look far more than I should. Curt Flood couldn't make up for that kind of production in center and actually, Span reminds one of Flood when he played for the Nats in the early 70's. Flood was all used up and just seeking a payday.
Gio would fetch a lot, but he's under contract for several more years at a reasonable price. Gio is part of the core of the team, you don't trade those guys. Gio, Stras, Zimmermann are off-limits. Nobody in their right mind would trade for Haren anyway. Det isn't healthy.
meant Davey...not Dave sorry
Damn it no one asked about Hairston either
The top 3 starters must stay.
Of course nobody asked Davey why he didn't pull Storen for the lefty to face Schumaker.
The Eckstein question got the usual answer.
Asking about the Rendon bunt? Why bother. It wasn't the worst situation. The ump blew the call!
They will hold on to Strasburg and Zimmerman until those guys prove that they either are or are not great. Rizzo totally overestimated the run production of this crew. Admit it.
I wish tgey had half the passion of Knight. Outside of Werth we have seen no passion from any hitters
MNF
yes, along with Bryce and rendon after that, anyone should be tradable
We've seen passion from Harper. To a fault. We lost a game because of his passion. There's a time and place for these things. Werth knew it. Down 2, 2 outs bottom of the 10th. There's no risk to getting tossed so he unloaded on the ump.
It's all about being smart and picking your spots.
The 2 biggest blunders by Davey were ignored by press. hairston and why zim not where he belonged in the 10th.
I take my chances on too much passion. I am ready to fight and tgey are ready to quit.
If Span doesn't get thrown out at 2nd, we might have won this game. He appears to have no passion at all out there.
Werth has a no-trade so he's not being traded (and nobody should want him traded anyway). Rendon, Harper, Desmond and Zim are all safe. I know some here want Zim gone, but it's not happening so just accept that. The top 3 in the rotation are all safe as well.
Here's a thought: Tyler Clippard. If you want to sell, you have to sell guys who are doing well so you actually get a decent return. Clippard is having a phenomenal season. But what does a setup man get you? Not a lot probably. Unless some team wants him to close.
If you remember the Nats games in LA, Davey was out-managed by Mattingly then also. I'm just embarrassed for Davey. 2 horribly managed games back to back and this one was worse.
Davey had the 1-0 lead and had to pull Storen when the lefty pinch-hitter was put in. That tied the game at 1-1.
Storen pissed me off.
Just dump Tracey, Span, Lombardozzi and Storen for anything. Anybody would be better than these guys.
Gio way to calm. I would just tell tge truth. I am mad as hell as I am pissed at the hitters.
The pitchers are liers. Tgey have to be pissed.
Storen is a head case and a loser i am sick of his ass
Good point on Clipp, David. I'd hate to see the guy go. Class act, on and off the field.
Ray is right but we still have screwed things up.
What they do on all star break? Sure didnt prepare to hit when they got back.
Oh, GAWD. The Sunshine Boys, Johnny and Ray, are going to focus "on one of the bright spots of the game, the performance of Chad Tracy."
Oh. Joy. Click. Off goes the TV. Now.
Dad just said that Davey said - 'the better question is why did I use the (Hairston) instead of Lombo...' Or something to that effect????
Manassas Nats' Fan said...
Storen pissed me off.
He got the 1st 2 batters. It's on Davey putting him in a situation against the lefty.
When you know the situations you have to make the best counter moves. Once Mattingly brings in the lefty pinch-hitter, Davey has to bring in his lefty.
Simple solution.
Where is Howard Beale. Someone step up be the leader like he was.
I am afraid tgere is no one as angry as Howard.
Nats are my team. Until they start hitting, I wont put in the extra effort to check in on them anymore. I love this team but cant afford wasting time checking in the scores if the team wont hit, especially with RISP. I wont check the scores if I am not in front of the TV. If they wont put in the effort that most fans are into them, why should the fans be into them as much as they are.
I hope we go on a winning streak so we dont become sellers.
Other than hit with RISP, what can this team do to win???????????????????
I am going to bed. I have work at 630am tomorrow. I will check in at the end of the game tomorrow.
Good night all
I said Davey could care less.
Clippard and Storen seem to be always at odds. When one is good, the other is terrible.
But seriously, how does Lombardozzi stay in the majors? What talents does he have that exceed guys in AAA? He is nice and people remember his dad and he is from the area, but the guy is a cipher on the field....
William O. Douglas Loeffler said...
Just dump Tracey, Span, Lombardozzi and Storen for anything. Anybody would be better than these guys.
Glad you aren't the GM.
Ramos told Storen to throw pitch in the dirt.
Storen is not smart enough to listen his catcher.
What is tge point of calling a pitch if you dont throw.
2 nights in a row it cost us runs.
Trade Clippard.
It's not a matter of not listening to him. Storen probably wanted it in the dirty, he just screwed up.
DJ handed the last two games to the Dodgers... Mattingly came in and managed and made moves like this game mattered...
DJ didnt... Today and yesterday, he failed to put his players in the right spot and make the right moves...
No, biggest bust in DC history was either that Redskins team with D. Sanders or the Bullets team with Howard and Webber, but that is because baseball is much less predictable.
William O. Douglas Loeffler said...
"Just keep swinging."
Davey should be a fertility doctor for poor people....
Well done WODL.
I actually spilled my beer....
Tomorrow is the crutch team has used all year.
It is getting real old. Tomorrow obviously to me has become a loser word.
We cant afford screw ups st this point. So i dont accept tgat answer from him or Soriano last night.
No doubt easily out managed.
Well Sunshine... Chad Tracy was a bright spot... But I think that is an anomaly....
Manassas Nats' Fan said...
Ramos told Storen to throw pitch in the dirt.
Storen is not smart enough to listen his catcher.
What is tge point of calling a pitch if you dont throw.
2 nights in a row it cost us runs.
That's all true but again why didn't Davey pull Storen once the lefty pinch-hitter was announced?
We all know that Storen is poor against LHs this season.
Managers are supposed to give their players the best matchups to succeed. Davey didn't do that and he had the personnel to make the move and didn't.
Anybody would be better than Storen. The guy is shot, at least in DC. You guys are all so nurturing and then you refuse to see with your own eyes. Storen needs to go. DFA him, if nobody wants him. What is his ERA? 6 runs or something and ERA makes relievers look better than they are. Trout could be here as we speak but we got Storen instead. Great move.
Again... I'm not sure if its DJ's loyalty or stubbornness... But it's getting old...
DFA not needed a bunch of teams will take him.
Matters not it is getting old, and he is refusing to manage.
You do realize Trout was picked 25th right? A whole lot of teams missed on him. It happens. Could play that game with any team and any player.
Nobody was complaining when Drew saved 43 games a couple years ago. You don't DFA a guy who did that and has his stuff because he's had one awful half season. Especially not when he's under control for many more years.
Thank god fans aren't GMs.
Goon squad scored the 1 run tonight... Unh unh unh...
Thanks, Scott. I know I may not score with every quip but I liked that one, too.
At least, Davey didn't say, "we'll get 'em tomorrow." after the game....
Sadly I just witnessed this game. I've got tickets to this Wednesdays game and that will be last game I go to this year. I just don't see them turning it around. 1 run on 10 hits is just pitiful.
William O. Douglas Loeffler - Why is Lombo still in the majors? What else do they have? Kobernus, who is a Lombo clone and a year older? Walters? Who hits for power but has very poor on base skills a a total stone glove? Maybe bring Espinosa back? Face it, these guys are here because the Nats have NOTHING to replace them with.
As far as trading the big leaguers, assuming the Top 3 starters plus Bryce, Rendon and Ramos are untouchable, that doesn't leave much except Clippard and Soriano as pieces that would net much in return. If the Nats become big sellers it will just be dumping guys just for the sake of dumping guys, because as I said,it isn't like any they are blocking anybody.
I wouldnt complain if he save 43 now, but he isnt.
It is late it is time to step up and too many guys just refuse to or not capible of eitger way it is time to get mad and fix it.
Sell Soriano and span. Put berni in outfield and let Clipp close. There your answer. Sell Ramos also. He stinks and is always hurt or kidnapped. Yeah I said it lighten up.
Also, Storen has plenty of options and can be demoted with no risk of losing him.
The guys must want to be traded as they refuse to hit with men on.
Could you imagine if we had the Orioles hitters with our pitchers?
Maybe, we are missing the bigger picture...
Storen shouldn't have been in there in the first place against Ellis... If we know that he is teeing to LH batters... Why is he in there... We had 2 lefties rested up...
That is on DJ...
Just like having Hairston bat against their RHP... If we got Hairston so he can hit against LHps, that is what he should be used for...
SWM is just chock full of em today. Making fun of a guy being kidnapped and wishing for the manager to get sick. Stay classy.
Davey has wuit on us.
How many 33 year old men catch the flu in the sumner? Seemed strange to me.
>>>That is on DJ...
Davey managed tonight like he wants to be fired.
Dunno, but he was clearly sick. You could see him in the dugout, he looked ill.
It's very easy to get the flu in the summer time... Plus, he has kids and you never know...
It's easy to get sick period...
Dump or trade:
Tracy
Span
zuk or Ramos, whoever yields more
LaRoche
Let Zim start playing FB NOW so next year is an experiment. Or trade Zim.
Sign young talent on the rise. We have a good core!
"isn't"
Gotta find buyers for Soriano and LaRoche.
I pray I stay lucky. Been almost 30 years since was sick.
I figure one of these days I will just have a hesrt attack and die watching players who arent performing.
I saw him on tge bench he did kook sick. I assume people in great shape generally don't get tge flu.
Like Heath Bell?
Many people hate booing. I am not one of them. The players are paid plenty of money, and should have thick enough skin to take it.
I dont mind physical errors, but simply hate mental ones.
Most our mistakes are mental not physical, swinging at bad pitches, missing the target, out of position, throwing to the wrong base.
Our errors are magnified, because are hitters are not engaged in the game presently.
Nite.
I'm gonna go eat some face. I can't take it anymore!
Can we all pitch in and get a defibrillator for MNF? This year is hell on his health and I dig his misspelled comments. And somebody has to remind us to fire Eck.
NNF!!!!
Did u proof that last post in Word? Not one typo!
I have no problem with booing either... In fact, I did...
I'm a paying customer... It's different if the team is engaged and giving effort but the Nats haven't looked like they are last night or the night before...
It also doesn't help that our manager got schooled... Yet again...
Yankees for ALR
Rays for ALR
Tigers for Soriano
Rangers Haren
Indians Storen
Tigers Stammen
Ok I agree MNF. Eck may be the most knowledgable hitting coach Davey ever had, but he sucks at teaching and prepping.
We lost both tonight and last night becuz of dumb decisions in crunch time...
It's a shame...
Eck taught me to type.
Span to either the Braves or the Phils....
You think the Rangers want Haren? HAHAHAHA
I think we'd have to give THEM prospects for them to take Haren.
Yeah... No one is taking Haren...
Don't forget random luck....
Seriously, teams can vary from year to year with the same core. We are a lot like the 1969 Mets who were competitive through 1973 and won one series and lost another. They also couldn't hit and had results that were a bit topsy-turvy.
Manassas, you are right again. These guys will all be gone at the trade deadline. At the game tonight I overheard Rizzo say his goal was to play meaningful games in August.
Talk about reduced expectations.
How many pitching changes did Mattingly make compared to Davey? A lot more. Not only are we not hitting but our manager doesn't seem to be making the right moves in close games which we've had a lot of.
Eck is my typo coach
You did not overhear Rizzo say his goal was to play meaningful games in August. And no, not all of those guys will be gone. Some of them might be.
Tracy and Harren to braves. Heck take Eck too. Or Phil's.
I dont boo amatures, but once you earn a check....
I bet someone would take him.
But they had Bud Harrelson as a fighter. I see no fighters.
He is not engaged in the game.
Can Ray manage? I love his attitude.
It was a joke, Proctor, albeit a bad one
I lost faith in Rizzo caribg when espi sayed past april 1. We wasted 2 months with him.
So I guess Hairston in tomorrow... It's a shame, DJ's decisions basically gave this game and last nights away...
Wrong. It was a good joke.
Zim will pitch great. Can we get 1 or 2 guys interested in winninh besides zim.
Yeah,.. It's not the pitchers MnF... It's the bats...
It's a shame we are so inconsistent at the plate....
I'm so pissed right now, I can't sleep....
This stretch of hitting among the worse I can remember.
sad part starting pitching in general extremely good.
Welcome to my world finalky fell asleep at 5 this morning.
I get so ticked, and even more ticked when the next game the same problems occur.
Are they not teachable.
Glad I was retired by tge time we got a team. Couldnt work rooting for tge Nats. Get little sleep after every loss.
It should be a great matchup tomorrow. The added bonus after a 4+ hour game tonight Zimm is not only a great pitcher, he throws strikes and works fast. I am looking forward to a 2 hour game in the sun and fun at Nats park. Hopefully we will salvage a win.
Another plus, despite the mediocre play, the crowd was a sell out. Good to see.
The Lerners need to step up and say give the fans a good product so they come back.
6 for 68 RISP last 9 games. Isnt that making anyone on the team want to be Howard Beale?
I been mad 9 games now and mad at the hitters for not being mad at themselves.
The Giants are 6 games under .500 and only 4.5 back. Must be nice.
Not one player has stepped and said ebough is enough we are going kick ass and take names later.
Q: What's the difference between the bases loaded with Nationals and those three statues out on the centerfield plaza?
A: The statues have a better chance of scoring a run.
Greinke: "They’re aggressive in the strikezone so I threw a lot of close pitches & they took it. They should be scoring more than they have"
So when will we start actually doing it?
I just knew Davey was going crazy in the dug out after the first inning... He should have been throwing stuff, knowing over Gatorade bottles... Something...
I was surprised he came out when Span got called out....
DJ needs to get ejected or something... And I hope Knorr isn't the next manager...
Yeah DP - I see where we are aggressive, but All I kept staying was Grenkie is being helped by Nats batters... He was struggling most of the night.. We had him on the ropes and did nothing...
The SPs have stepped up. Gio was outstanding, although he threw a lot of balls tonight. Stras pitched well enough to win. But you are right-it's the hitters who need to step up.
I didn't see the stats but I heard we had 27 LOB during regulation. Must be some kind of record.
I'm sorry this is a mediocre team, one that I love
regulation? uh, what?
anyways, I am not going to trade anyone. Let them stay in there and battle it out until the end. I am also frustrated with the team but trading anyone of value now makes no sense. as far as I know, we are still in it because Braves have not clinched the division yet.
off-season is a different story. I might consider moving relievers around.
this season is looking like a lost one. Lets call it learning season. Our window is still open for a couple of years, but it sucks that we have to waste one season featuring great pitching from our top 3 starters who are in their prime because of our lack of offense. I am disappointed, 2011 was more fun than this season.
I am just getting home at 12:55.
Left my house at 4:45 for the game. Metro is single tracking and did not arrive at the park until after 6pm. Did not get a bobble head but probably would have thrown it against a wall if I had one.
Man does this team disappoint!! I have not read any posts but Gio was excellent.
The two errors did not cost us runs but I just hate that we can't catch and throw the baseball.
I keep score and we had at least 12 baserunners by my count. I will say it again. How do those of you who keep telling us it will turn around figure that is going to happen?
Will now commit total insanity and go back and read what others have said. Its just a very very disappointing season and yes seamhead I am worried because we certainly do not have this.
Oh - National Anthem might have been the highlight of the game. I think its 222 who sang and that quartet nailed it!! Great job gentlemen
Go Nats!!
This team is exactly what the stats say it is. A very poor team! They aren't going anywhere this year so they should stop trying to fool themselves and fans.
OK:
just read the comments here - I won't read in game stuff.
People have a right to be upset at Davey. None of us could figure out why Hairston was on deck with a right handed reliever out there. I mean Lombo is not great but had to be better then what Hairston's numbers are.
I wonder how Davey felt when Werth got tossed after Desmonds called 3rd strike. At least I think he got tossed. Davey did nothing!! Is this like Manny Acta #2!!! Can't anyone get pissed??
Nothing like 6hours spent getting to the park, watching your team fail and getting. Just sad.
Bryce, Werth, and Desmond all 3 struck out looking in their last last at bats of the game. Instead of proctecting the plate it seems Nats batters are hoping they get a free pass to first base. In my eyes they look scared to swing. I would rather them strike out swinging then looking. At least in that case an effort would have been made
One last comment and then off to bed. I am not sure how or why he does it but my hat is off to David Proctor. He is dilligent in his defense of our team and it has to be driving him crazy defending such a mediocre group. I just want him to know I appreciate his efforts.
I attended the game, my first of the year. After spending 2.5 hours nudging up I-95, paying good money for my seat and watching the hitters fail to execute, Storen airmail Ramos, Zim airmail Tracy and Tracy fail to snag Zim's one-hopper, did I boo my Nats?
I sure did.
Is it just me or has Harper lost a little something since coming back from the DL. I just don't see the spark. If he or Werth isn't leading, we honestly don't have anyone else capable in my opinion.
shortest nap ever, sjm!
what is the point of booing? letting your team know that they are not playing well enough for your pleasure. I am sure they know it more than you do. no one likes to lose, unless they are handsomely paid by their opponents.
Drew at 1:26
haha that is funny. The Nats so pathetic now that I'm feeling sorry for them -- they all look miserable. I'm even starting to feel sorry for Davey. I do wish FP, Carp and Ray would stop urging us fans to hang with the team; that any day now they're going to catch fire. THAT is getting old. Nats need to play .680 just to win 90 games. Afraid that 'ain't' happening. Lets hope Rizzo doesn't complete the demolition of what once was a team with great promise over winter, a process Rizzo began last winter.
SJM about David Proctor - I just can't suffer fools as gladly as you. Wish I could. Proctor's Assisted Living keepers are supposed to shut off the internet at 11:00 p.m. I wonder what happened?
God forbid we all be respectful...
sjm308 you can have my bobblehead if you want it. I don't know if the single tracking was planned or not, but if it was, you would think the transportation folks could do a better job of planning. Too many times I have left games to go south on 395 and see the express lane closed along with 2 lanes in the SB lanes for construction.
Faraz, uhh regulation? whoops. E 10 on that for me. But I was tired after attending a triple header yesterday (scored 2 little league all star games before I went to the Nats game).
Today's a new day
The birthday party I attended was awesome, but it doesn't sound like the game was. I think I'll just delete that one from the DVR. Will be at today's game, in the Right Field Mezzanine.
natsfan1a-a couple of items may be worth looking at. Runners were called out twice on close plays at 2nd. My son was watching the game at home and said they were the right call. Also said Span slowed down going into 2nd. Wonder if true and if so why.
The play by Zimmermann that Tracy bobbled was just outstanding. Too bad it ended in a baserunner, but I don't think that cost them the game.
And finally, sjm mentioned the highlight being the national anthem. I don't know if it can be as good on tv as live, but he was right. Just outstanding.
Thanks, 106.
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