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Hitting highlight: Though they weren't able to produce any runs early, the Nationals did hit the ball hard against Lee, offering some evidence they might break out at some point before the night was over. Did they ever. Rendon got it started with his fourth career homer, off an 0-2 pitch from Lee in the fifth. Moments later, Ramos duplicated the feat, taking a 1-0 pitch from Lee deep to right. One inning later, the power display resumed. Zimmerman took an 0-2 pitch to left-center for his 11th homer. And then Werth made it back-to-back jacks again, putting his 10th homer of the season down the left-field line. Four homers in a span of eight batters against one of the toughest lefties in baseball. Not bad.
Pitching highlight: Is Gonzalez pitching as well now as he did last year during his 21-win campaign? You can certainly make the argument. With seven innings of one-run ball tonight, the left-hander improved to 5-1 with a 2.18 ERA over his last 13 starts. That's a prolonged stretch of dominance, one all too reminiscent of Gonzalez's remarkable run during 2012. He was in control throughout this game, scattering six hits and two walks. And even when things started to potentially fall apart in the seventh, Gonzalez earned the trust of his manager to get out of the jam himself. After Darin Ruf's solo homer, Gio gave up back-to-back, two-out singles. But on his 117th pitch of the night, he got Ben Revere to fly out to left, capping another stellar outing by the lefty.
Key stat: The Nationals are now 36-5 this season when they score at least four runs.
Up next: The series wraps up at 7:05 p.m. Thursday when All-Star Jordan Zimmermann takes the mound, again seeking his league-leading 13th win. Right-hander Kyle Kendrick gets the nod for the Phillies.
94 comments:
WOOOOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOO!!! YAY GIO! Love the homers and love that the Nats beat Cliff Lee
We beat their best pitcher and now they can't catch us....
Well, I didn't see that one coming. Very fine.
Style question: we don't untuck when it's not a save situation?
NO let down now because it's Kyle Kendrick. Keep it up, boys! That was very nice.
You score runs, you win. At least when Messrs. Gonzalez, Zimmermann, and Strasburg are starting. Well done.
I really enjoyed this game. Great defense, good enough pitching, solo power.
As I said score 5 we win. ( I had 5-3 prediction).
With 5 or more runs we are 36-2.
Exactly 5 we are 10-0.
When giving up less than 3 30- 16
Give up exactly 1 run now 11-0
David Proctor said...
Dan Kolko @masnKolko 9s
Henry Rodriguez faced 5 batters tonight with the Cubs. He didn't retire any of them. Homer, single, single, walk, walk.
Some things never change. Cubs have HenRod and Strop.
Danny made it to the Mendoza line. 2 hits, and RBI (one strikeout)--so far.
No,we don't unstuck when it's not a save. I wish that more of the guys would join him on a save.dunno why they don't. Ian was doing it for a bit then stopped.
Untuck is for saves only.
I saw it coming. Spoke all day how we would do it.
1210 AM--Phillies broadcast comes in loud and clear. Their announcers are admitting that we won tonight.
Yeah, baby, yeah!
Sunshine, Soriano doesn't, but I kinda did.
Hairston nickname question: Maybe "Don't call me Doc"? (As in, "Dangit, Davey. I'm a ballplayer, not a doctor.") Nah.
We are 36-2 when we score 5. One of he 2 losses was Zim in Baltimore.
JaneB.. Ian stopped when Soriano called out Harper. You don't call out a teammate and you don't call out the baby brother
Keep working Danny
So if we pretend that Lannan pitched today & Lee pitched on Monday, does that make everybody feel better?
The guys have started untucking again. They stopped for a while, but I know for a fact I saw Desi and ALR Untuck after Soriano's last save. I guess they've forgiven him.
Sunshine, as others have said (no drinks owed!) Rafa doesn't untuck unless it's a save. He even changes his windup in non-save situations.
Doesn't mean we can't UNTUCK though!
Please let this be the start of a run. What kills you is which team shows tomorrow; the one that looks like a world beater or the one that looks like a AA team. Be great to get on a roll going into the break.
In each of the 3 game the pitcher who pitched best got the win.
Henry threw 20 pitches tonight with only 8 strikes to go with his infinite E.R.A for the game....
very nice win...I felt Nats needed this and they delivered
DP I agree. Desi is untucking again, ALR definitely is. Mattheus was untucked coming out of the dugout on that last save too. But maybe he's just a sloppy dresser while he's on the DL.
We'll win tomorow and get 2/3 against the Fish. The Fish have Jose Fernandez going against Dan Haren...so I have that one as a L. Fernandez is legit.
Seems like did it Saturday, but maybe i misremembered.
And I see Garcia is hurt again guy is like Nick Johnson on the mound. Tough break for the guy.
I commend everyone who was optimistic about this game. With Lee going, I was sure JZnn would be trying to stop the sweep tomorrow. Great stuff tonight. Look forward to the happy talk tomorrow.
Hello, my name is Sofa, and I am an untucker.
Huge loss for the Phillies. They thought they were going to get back to .500 with their best pitcher on the mound and then have a chance to pass us tomorrow....
Some guy voted 100,000 times for Puig. That's the system.
Oh, and getting back to the guy who wore the Rendon HR -- I hope he's OK.
#[b]eatFace
I was optimistic (just working all day and couldn't post). Reason: Gio. Gio is really tough right about now--this is his kind of weather.
Thanks, JaneB, 222, Sofa, 1a, et al, for the Correct Untucking Procedure. Got it.
I'm of two minds about this. After all, it's still a win. I think I'll walk around the house the rest of the night with the left side untucked and the right side tucked.
Just noticed on replay the Buffalo took his own helmet off, but Desmond took a phony helmet and placed above the Buffalos head and removed that helmet.
OTOH, this isn't JZ's kind of weather. I hope he takes and IV (if he needs one) and stays tough. Cat needs to watch him closely--Nats have three days inside and then the break, no need to push it.
NatsLady said...
Some guy voted 100,000 times for Puig. That's the system.
July 10, 2013 10:15 PM
Well, I guess my lousy 130 votes for Ian won't go very far. :(
Giant fans now voting for Freeman to keep a Dodger off tge team.
Sonny--LOL. I will vote a few times tomorrow, but I don't have a lot of optimism. Desi's the best-looking of the bunch though.
Wonder if less humid tomorrow.
Who has time to vote 100,000 times?
Lost cause, then. Giants' fans can hack into and rig the system.
Manassas Nats' Fan said...
Giant fans now voting for Freeman to keep a Dodger off tge team.
They feel about each other more than we feel about the Phoolies.
Bochy put his 1 Dodger on the team, Kershaw. Puig may pinch-run if he makes the team.
LOL. Davey said Gio told him "I need a new batting stance, they got me figured out now." I love Gio.
Gio back to elite status again.
I know Stras has had a tough time in hot weather, but I don't recall it being a problem for JZnn. Besides, they're playing at night. Gametime temp is supposed to be 79. He'll be fine.
Our 3 aces are money. I never feel like we have no shot when any of them starts.
222, JZ had a tough time in his last start. He was totally gassed and red in the face when he got in the dugout. Not saying he didn't do a reasonable job, just saying it's harder for him than for Gio in this weather.
The only thing that worries me in the least about JZ is the very thing you saw from Lee tonight-- too many strikes and those pesky home runs. Ar least they are usually only solos. Hope he is locked and loaded. I continue to be amazed at Rendon's nearly seamless transition into the big leagues. We knew getting Harper back would be a shot in the arm, but Ramos had added some nice punch also. Nice to see Gio comfy with him, too.
Sec222
Jzim was pitcher of the month last June pitching in some pretty hot and humid weather. I think his issue has more to do with pitching with too much run support. I have faith in him.
MatsLady
Last start was a day game and it was crazy hot. Any one would struggle there.
Good to see the production throughout the lineup.
Danny Espinosa homered at Syracuse and reached Mendoza.
At Auburn, big Jake Johansen had a good stint. He threw four hitless innings with two walks. In four brief outings his ERA is 0.71.
The Nats have a passel of promising pitchers on the farm.
JD, it's working up to the hot weather. This was a mild Spring.
Brian Kenny @MrBrianKenny 3m
Speaking of Wash: Jayson Werth: since off DL: June/July: .389/.496.
Broad set of skills, lot to fall back on.
Gio also Gio again.
Brian Kenny is a big Nats supporter.
I am going over the boxscore, they gave an error on Span's swinging bunt. Yes, an error as the runners advanced but why not a single and an error?
Same for Ramos, the ball went off the mound. Looked like a hit to me.
Home park official scorer doesn't like the Nats.
Look at how healthy the Nats starting lineup finished up tonight!
Rendon and Ramos over .300 and Werth .294 and Desi at .280
Also JZ pitches to contact. With decent hitters, they get themselves out pretty quickly by putting the ball in play. Weaker hitters just foul it off. Their lack of skill costs JZ more pitches because they can't put it in play.
Thanks on the Jake update.
I'd like to see those people who thought Werth's power was gone. Is Werth a 30 HR hitter? No. But he'll get on base a ton and he'll hit 20.
Of course Werth is good for Harper. But Harper is also good for Werth. The ol' man outplaying the phenom kid==>at least right now.
Samardzija gave up 9 earned tonight in 4 2/3 innings. Henry relieved him and just needed to get 1 out and gave up 3 hits and 2 walks and 1 of the hits was a HR and he never got the 3rd out as he retired nobody.
I would note that it's likely every team in baseball has similar records with those scores.
David Proctor said...
I'd like to see those people who thought Werth's power was gone. Is Werth a 30 HR hitter? No. But he'll get on base a ton and he'll hit 20.
His name is Peric. He also wanted Werth on the bench.
df57a0f4-abbc-11e2-affa-000bcdcb2996 said...
I would note that it's likely every team in baseball has similar records with those scores.
Check Texas, Balt, and NYY on scoring 5 or more and give us their record.
Balt 32-14 when scoring 5 or more.
Balt is 7-7 when scoring exactly 5 runs.
Nats are 10-0 when scoring exactly 5 runs.
JD, right. It was a day game and it was 90 degrees out. Big difference. Anyway, I think JZnn can handle the heat fine. Stras is another story.
You can call it pitching to contact if you want. I call it throwing strikes. And working quickly. Hitters have no time to get comfortable. He's alot like Cliff Lee in that respect.
It will be interesting to see if he can rebound though. His last few starts have not been great.
Sect222, its also going 3-3 and running the bases.
You see these rumors about the Phillies becoming BUYERS? Is Ruben Amaro Jr. insane?
David, that's to placate the Phoolie Phans. They have a golden opportunity to rebuild and shed those big nasty contracts.
David, Cliff Lee, Utley, and Chooch and some of the relievers can bring back big returns for their farm system while shedding big contracts.
All are going to have good records. Look at the ifference in losses. Nats have only 2 losses.
That was the game before when he went 3 fo3 against Brewers.
Been at his last 3 starts.
Dan Kolko@masnKolko1m
Davey Johnson credited the #Nats' aggressive BP session today for their win over Cliff Lee. Aggressive BP? Yup.
It is always sad to find out that a person who comments regularly has passed away.
Huh WODL?
WODL, what are you talking about?
William O. Douglas Loeffler said...
It is always sad to find out that a person who comments regularly has passed away.
July 10, 2013 11:32 PM
________________________________
OMG, I don't know who you are referring to.
Does anyone know who WODL is referring to? #Praying
I have no clue who WODL is referring to.
Peric's online persona seems to have "passed away."
That's an insane stat: 36-5 when they score 4 runs. Remember that next someone tells you that offense is not lhe primary problem with this club.
Perhaps WODL is referring to the "ghost" of Steve M?
William O. Douglas Loeffler said...
Peric's online persona seems to have "passed away."
____________________________________
I don't know what you are saying. I don't wish ill will on Peric but I also don't miss his posts at all.
Rendon is the best thing that has happened to this team and he is flourishing at 2nd base and Werth is doing great and LaRoche has been doing great the last 2 months. All were things Peric would post negatively about daily.
Mark said.....
Key stat: The Nationals are now 36-5 this season when they score at least four runs.
Why include games where they scored 4 runs? Especially since they are 0-3 in those games, having scored 12 runs (obviously) and had 24 runs scored against them in those three games.
Meaning, they are 36-2 when they score 5 or more, which is a heck of a lot more impressive.
"Manassas Nats' Fan said...
Who has time to vote 100,000 times?"
More important, who has the bandwidth? Guy is definitely abusing his employer's resources.
Ken, that's why the extra .70 is so key as 4.70 has been my mantra for 2 years. ;)
Apparently Davey wants them to be aggressive in BP, really try to crush the ball. Rather than going to the opposite field and other namby pamby stuff. Doesn't he know about Eddie Murray who would spend most of his time in BP practicing fouling pitches off? h/t Sofa
To perics credit, he wanted Werth to lead off, not bench.
RIP Peric.
When you've shown you can hit like Eddie Murray, you can take BP any darn way you please.
Okay, here's the thing. I seem to have conflated Scotty and "Bones" McCoy, with a little bit of Rocky Horror's Doctor Scott thrown in. (Doctor Scott!) I'd turn in my Trekkie card, but I had to give it to sec3, on account of the earwigs. Plus, I never really had a Trekkie card. I suppose I really shouldn't post after my bedtime. That is all. Oh, and Go NATS!!
Hairston nickname question: Maybe "Don't call me Doc"? (As in, "Dangit, Davey. I'm a ballplayer, not a doctor.") Nah.
first off, a great win overall. it is good to critique after a win rather than a loss so here is what is concerning and it goes to the larger point of the team's batting approach. however, lets begin with the positive....Gio, Clip and Soriano Outstanding!! Gio was something in the 5th... a few months ago he would have let the lousy HP umpire get the best of him, now, Gio keeps his emotions in check and shows why he is in my view an All star pitcher. I would show that 5th inning at any pitching clinic.
Now, here is the concern I have with the batting approach and my case and point your shown in one game....4 runs were all on homers, that is of course fantastic but what is not good is when Harp and Zim strikeout with bases loaded. It seems as if it is homerun or bust. that is and should be a concern.
overall, a huge win and chance to put together a little streak before the break and be a few games back of Braves and WC...oh and Rendon is something!
Agree Mick. Bases loaded one out and desi get pitched around to get to harp and lays an egg. Zim same thing. We have to get runs in that situation.
Harper just doesn't seem right to me. I'd rather have 2 Rendons.
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