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| Photo by USA Today |
Hitting highlight: The first inning was good times for the Nats on offense, both on their own accord and with a little help from the Pirates' defense. Pittsburgh committed three errors and let in four total runs, only one of them charged to pitcher A.J. Burnett. The first came on an error by Pedro Alvarez at third who couldn't reel in a throw to him during a rundown, Bryce Harper came around to score on that one. The second costly error came on a Denard Span single that saw Ryan Zimmerman and Ian Desmond both score after a throw attempt to second by Gaby Sanchez found its way into the outfield.
Pitching lowlight: The Nats entered the ninth inning up 7-3, but that wasn’t enough for Rafael Soriano and Ian Krol. The Pirates got two runs off RBI singles against Soriano before Krol took over with one out. Krol walked Alvarez to load the bases, then one out later gave up a single up the middle to Josh Harrison that scored two more runs. In a game that gave the Nats so many breaks along the way, they coughed up the lead late and made things that much harder for themselves.
Key stat: Both managers were ejected in this one, Davey Johnson for the first time this season and Clint Hurdle for the fourth time. It was Johnson's third ejection as manager of the Nationals.
Up next: The Nats kick off a weekend series with the New York Mets on Friday with Jordan Zimmermann pitching the 1:35 p.m. game and Ross Ohlendorf taking over for the 7:05 p.m. start. Jenry Mejia and Matt Harvey are scheduled to pitch for New York.
126 comments:
Schu!!!! I mean Bryce!!!
Bats arrive. Lombo amazing game, just a great game. Harper is again Harper. Now, Rizzo -- get us some more pitching!!
Well a W is a W
Good lord what an exciting game.. I didnt need the 9th inning theatrics there by the BP but goodness gracious...
Bryce Harper.
Just. Bryce. Harper.
BRYCCCCCCCCCEEEEEEEEEEEEE/ I think its obvious now that Soriano can go. Let Clipp close. And like Ive said before play Lombo. Atholton high school baby. 8 games back. hahaha
JD said...
MRS.B
Hairston hit because there were no left handed hitters left on the bench
=====
That's right.. I forgot they switch Span and Bernadina (any reason why they did)... But still, even agains LHPs, Hairston hasnt really done what we would have hoped....
Boy did we ever need that win, I feel bad for Gio, but we need that.
Harper's homer is why he needed to pitch-hot for Span last night.
And you know what, I'm glad Soriano got yanked, because they is no doubt in my mind we would have lost already if he was allowed to stay in.
I think Soriano might need the Trevor Hoffman treatment and see no action unless a save can be had. He is useless otherwise...
That performance by the Bullpen was awful. Especially Soriano. We can get just about anyone to walk people.
Now on winning streak RISP 5 FOR 13 during streak..
Remember I said he needs to elivate the pitch.
I hope we see Lombo again tommor.
BP has let us down this series... Granted the bats were off... But even in the low scoring when our SP did their jobs, the BP came in and pooped for real...
Gonna be interesting to see what is done when Mattheus comes back...
No doubt in my mind we would have lost if Soriano was allowed to stay in.
Deal Storiano and Span.
Yeah Tcostant - but Knorr shouldnt have let Krol face Harrison....
Im just glad we won though...
JD said...
IDK,
This was a walk off but there was so much wrong in this win it's hard to expect continuity but one can hope.
Agreed . . . but: baby steps, baby steps, . . .
We did get 14 hits. We keep hitting like that, the wins will come.
Aaand exhale...whew!
btw, the blown save is on me. I was just making a note to self about getting 50% off Papa John's for dinner tomorrow when Soriano came in. Sorry about that, folks. ;-)
(Oh, and count Clip out on the BP stinking.)
I also missed DJ's ejection. Went upstairs for a minute and an Emergency Broadcasting System test kicked in. That always resets my DVR. But that's okay. I did see Hurdle get the boot.
Randy Knorr should take over these press conferences....
I like Randy Knorr. Pulling Soriano took some balls. Krol still coughed up the lead (but I thought he got beat on a good pitch and it doesn't matter if the men aren't on base).
Wow. At work and remembered to check in bottom of 9th. Tie game and I'm like yeah we have a chance. Then looked at box score and saw the BP coughed it up again. But any win to change the mojo. (I'll say this quietly...braves also lost...
1a. -- nice also to see Stammen doing OK for the second game in a row after a really bad stretch.
Knorr with the zinger: If he [Soriano]'s not in the mood to shut it down, I take him out.
I was talking to the tv during Soriano's stint. "Yeah, go ahead and pull him. Oh, you don't like it? Well, try throwing strikes next time." (What can I say? Losing streaks have that effect on me.)
Good point, Eddie. I forgot about Craig's outings.
natsfan1a said...
Aaand exhale...whew!
btw, the blown save is on me.
We might have to fight for that, nfa. When ALR tripled, I posted a message that it was the first time I had exhaled during a game in a while.
(Not often a guy in his 50's gets nailed for premature exhalation)
I was kinda thinking that Morris likes throwing cutters, and Harps is used to seeing RH cutters from his pops--something interesting here might happen.
And it did!
OK guys lets get on a run here. The Braves can be had.
The ultimate motivator--Storen warming for the 10th. (Sorry, couldn't resist.)
How about we share it, Wonk?
And in stirrups, no less.
NatsLady said...
The ultimate motivator--Storen warming for the 10th. (Sorry, couldn't resist.)
lol, I just noticed that line!
(Not often a guy in his 50's gets nailed for premature exhalation)
Steady Eddie said...
1a. -- nice also to see Stammen doing OK for the second game in a row after a really bad stretch.
Agreed.
He and Clip are the unsung heroes of this game, come to think about it . . .
natsfan1a said...
How about we share it, Wonk?
Deal.
(Easy to share a blown save when we end up winning ;-) )
WODL: rule of thumb:
Anyone who posts stuff vile enough to get their posts removed is a troll.
I'm guessing your offensive posts aren't going to last too long here.
Harper's hit at least extends the season. If the Nats lose this one, I honestly think it is over and this may be a year where 85 wins get you in. We have 3 good to very good starters and would be a much better post-season team than a regular season team, like the Mets in 1973.
DC Wonk, I think your posts are far more offensive. And who are you anyway?
719 from Henry Aaron
In other news, I'm pretty sure this win means that Chase has to do all the game threads now. Sorry about that, Mark. It's not you, it's us. :-)
But you do qualify for the Rule of Thumb, Wonk, so congratulations! You call criticizing Rizzo offensive. Way to try to stifle free speech, dude. You attack others personally by name. I haven't even addressed you, so you may just move on.
Here is how the small sample size of Harper has done leading off. 5 games
At bat 20
average. .300
Runs 3
Hits 6
Doubles 2
Triples 0
Home runs 1
Total bases 11
Slugging .555
Walks 2
Hit by pitch 0
Sacs 0
OBP .391
OPS .946
K 5
Most of the Ks against Kershaw.
Wow, we are not the only team missing offense.
Adam J. Morris @lonestarball 3m
Including today, the Rangers have scored 28 runs in their last 12 games.
That isn't bad for a start leading off by Harper, but also just compare the stats of Harper the last two years to other potential lead off guys and ask who you want getting the extra at bats.
You said you werent going to respond, you couldnt help it.
MNF, wasn't Harper HBP today? Also he was caught stealing.
I really liked Knorr's no nonsense attitude.
Not to get involved. But what did WODL say to get everyone cranked up? Was it the Post game comment and letting Knorr do it?
Does anyone know what the differences are between the 1971 Nats' caps are and the current home Red caps? This sounds like a Mick question but he seems to have left to down a few in celebration....
As a teacher of law, Freedom of speech nothing with anything here.
The constitution protects the people from the government , not from each other.
Its ok its a mistake a majority people make.
All I was getting at was the same thing that Swami said. I have no idea why that set the guy off. I thought it was mildly funny because you can actually understand Knorr and he doesn't seem petulant. I am not calling for DJ to step down or anything, but I don't even know if there is a rule as to who has to do the interview like they have in the NCAA.
At 4:42 you wrote: "DC Wonk, I think your posts are far more offensive."
At 4:44 you wrote: "I haven't even addressed you"
Do you even read what you write?
Oh, wait, you can't go back and read them all, because two of your posts got removed already.
I understand the limits of freedom of speech, but in general, they apply when people post subject to blog or site requirements. I know of no rule on here prohibiting sarcasm or criticizing Nats within normal bounds. But we do have a bunch of typical American busybodies on here who want to shut down speech that they disagree with, rather than engaging in more speech....
Rangers if tgey lose will be 3-9 compared our 2-19.
Tgey are still 10 above .500
Want him up the most.
Record 2-3.
Oh. Well just consider the source. Davey should step,down. And although Krol didn't get it done. They move to take sorry on oh out was the best managerial moves I've seen this season. Davey would have sat there and let the game get to 9 to 7 pirates.
They can't all be hits, I guess, DC Wonk, but I am glad to have you as a big brother. Try arguing points versus engaging in ad hominem attacks and maybe you will convince people.
Its on my paper just transferred. Counted it in the on base pct.
I guess. It was rather innocent, not sure wht Nats Jack got upset about it.
They seem awful close to me as I remember.
And I thank the administrator for removing my responses to NatsJack. I should just have ignored him.
Love the District of Columbia ball cap Bryce is wearing
It seemed innocent to me too.
No prob, MNF. Didn't know if you were keeping track yourself or getting it from a website.
I hope Davey goes home (or out to dinner), takes a long peaceful walk, gets a good night's sleep and gets himself thrown out of the second game tomorrow in the third inning.
The 1971 caps seem almost identical to the current red ones.
I wasnt sure how you got dragged in either.
Ignoring you now, NatsJack.
I thought the Krol move was a good move that Davey would have never done.
It didnt work, but tge move was correct.
Amanda Comak @acomak now
Knorr on pulling Soriano-"He wasn't throwing the ball over plate. If you don't want to be in mode to shut game down, I'll get somebody else"
Is it bad that I almost want Randy Knorr to become manager for that line alone?
Daveys a good man. And was a good manager last year and the one before. But it is time for a new voice. No need to wait until the last game. Don't fire him. Ask him Nicely.
It is bad, David Proctor. Some would even call you a troll....
Secret wasian man said...
Not to get involved. But what did WODL say to get everyone cranked up?
It was not one thing in particular. It was the weight of dozens and dozens of posts in the last thread, ruining the mood for many.
By the end and as it seemed like he was starting up again in this thread (trade Soriano and Span), it indeed seemed somewhat troll-ish. And someone called him on it.
Davey probably would do nothibg, but who knows if any more runs would score.
Knowing you always assume tge negative not surprised you think tgey score 4 more.
Knowing I assume positive, i assume no more score and we win 7 -5.
Rule of Thumb is to ignore people who use the word, "troll" on here.
Yeah Brewers drinking their own BREW. If you catch my drift. But hey those people have the packers.
On the phone the web sights have almost no columns. Easier for me to make my own list.
WODL:
"Try arguing points versus ..."
All last thread I was "arguing points." It's absolutely the most I've posted in an in-game thread this entire year.
Unfortunately, in terms of dealing Soriano and Storen, we have to understand that they have both been underperforming. If Storen is going down to AAA tomorrow, that may make it difficult to deal him. Sometimes people just need a change of scenery. That is not uncommon. I just think Storen might be able to get his career on track better somewhere else.
And for all those who claim to love the guy, maybe that should be the focus for Storen, not just what is best for the Nats.
Knorr earned the job today with the move and the comment. Just what this team needs. We will rip off 8 of 10 after that comment.
Wait- we won, so why are we cranky?
Just saw a tweet:
Things that should've happened: Bryce Harper saying "even my nephew could've held that lead."
I see Freddy Gonzalez got tossed on a terrivle call by the umps.
Like I ssid it seems at least 10 just terrible calls a week that could be fixed.
You are right. Let's enjoy it. It has been since before the All star game so we forgot what it was like.
we needed that!!!
I love it that Knorr did not hesitate to make that decision- he just did not care if he ticked Sori off. There was a good intensity today . Lots of legging things out. I like it.
My nephew could too
Mine had his 50h
Well played.
David Proctor said...
Just saw a tweet:
Things that should've happened: Bryce Harper saying "even my nephew could've held that lead."
July 25, 2013 5:11 PM
Mine had his, um, 20th, I think.
From 35000 feet above the earth!!! WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO EFFFFFFFFFFFFFFINNNNN HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!! OMG What happened! I wason the layover and it was the bottom of the 8th, figured it was over and YET i log on on the plane 30 minutes later and it's a walk off...
HOLY MOLY I missed a good one!
Glad Knorr called out Sori, needed to happen.
Anywho.. the wine will taste SO much better tonight with a Curly W
Brewers scored 8 today only in the top of the 7th. Still losing 10-8
My bad bottom of 7
Just saw this in Mark's Tweeter update thingy on the top of the page. Fick was a juicer? Um, dude, you're doing it wrong.
Former MLBer Robert Fick admits to steroid use http://cbsprt.co/19kPhXm via @cbssports
Retweeted by Mark Zuckerman
Welcome to the Mile High Winning Club, Michele. :-)
It's a double Sweet Fancy Moses day! First the meltdown in the 9th. Then the Bryce walkoff. I do want to point out that SFM is not only used by Zuck. I searched the hashtag on Twitter and found this:
Andy Thomas @andy_says 22 Jul
Did I just see an olive garden commercial that had a meatball sub with Alfredo sauce? #sweetfancymoses
Mule just back to the stable, after a rather odd afternoon at the ballpark.
A.J. Burnett was superb, and efficient; 7 innings of one(earned)-run ball, while pitching out of a bases-loaded, no-out jam in the fifth with a 4-3 ground-out 2 backward K's (with a bit of help from Crew Chief Winters behind the plate; Davey ejected saving Desmond from he heave-ho).
Gio was "workmanlike", adequate on a day when he lacked his best stuff.
Lombardozzi was simply brilliant with the leather - an RBI-saving ribery of a Marte base hit; 2 more RBI's averted with a spectacular, flying unassisted double play on a line-drive by Alvarez in the 3rd.
Lombo shone with the bat as well; 3-for-5 with 2 doubles, 2 runs scored and an RBI.
Oh, and by the way, some guy named Harper had the last at-bat. :-)
Ugly game; snatching victory from the jaws of defeat, after first snatching defeat from the jaws of victory.
David proctor from 5:11. Best comment of the year. Hahaha.
Knorr for interim manager!
Sadly we have Matt Harvey tomorrow. We need to win the game that Harvey isn't starting.
Watched and listened to the game between TV, MLB At Bat and the car radio while at home, the gym, and shopping. Figured they were going to throw the game away when they had the bases loaded with no outs and didn't score (yet again!), perked up when they went into the 9th with a 7-3 lead, shut it off in disgust at 7-7. Glad they won, but honestly, my heart can't handle this (bad word).
William O. Douglas Loeffler said...
Does anyone know what the differences are between the 1971 Nats' caps are and the current home Red caps? This sounds like a Mick question but he seems to have left to down a few in celebration....
ha ah...you know me too well, I'm back 71 Nats cap almost identical to the home red cap of today...I want to say that 71 cap actually began around 1966 or 65?
David true... it is time to win a game verse Harvey, just like teams have beaten Stras and J Zim
I wish the name calling would stop...WOD's post are as insightful and enjoyable as anyone else. let's get off our high horses and let everyone be themselves...I thought that is what makes us different in our own way
NatsJack, ROFL at your 5:34 post. Too funny!
NatsJack, I had no problem with Krol as he threw a good pitch below the zone that was hit. That's all there is to it. Sometimes credit goes to the batter.
Krol and Soriano threw outside pitches that were strikes earlier in the game and weren't later in the game. Go figure!
http://www.brooksbaseball.net/pfxVB/cache/numlocation_io.php-pitchSel=571871&game=gid_2013_07_25_pitmlb_wasmlb_1&batterX=&innings=yyyyyyyyy&sp_type=1&s_type=.gif
David Proctor said...
Sadly we have Matt Harvey tomorrow. We need to win the game that Harvey isn't starting.
Nats won the last Harvey game. You have to pitch toe-to-toe with Harvey and beat the Mets bullpen, that's the formula.
I'm behind on reading, who are the Nats bringing up as the 26th man for tomorrow's doubleheader?
Ghost that is exactly the formula to beat Harvey
All we need to do with Harvey is get into the Mets bullpen. Seriously, I was at the game in NY at the end of June. Yup, Harvey is a beast, but you get into that bullpen and we can beat him.
hmmm... lots of blog adminstrator deletes today. Thanks Mark for keeping it clean
Whoever decided to pull Soriano made the right move even if Kroll gave up that game tying single.
just my 2 cents...I alternate closers with Clip and Soriano..if Soriano has gone into the tank...then give Krol a shot to alternate..Matthews should be 7 or 8 inning reliever and I think long and hard about trading Storen
I would think long and hard about trading Soriano... More value (well at least until today)
Michele.your probably right... in the long term... But I really think Drew needs change and that is not all is fault...I think by bringing in Soriano, Davey showed he did not have his back after game 5 . what is Drew's fault is that he did not step it up to prove Davey wrong
Ghost, it is expected to be Ryan Mattheus. The question is who goes down?
I think Abad. Not used much.
Not sure if we can do without both Lefties... But yeah, it's a wonder...
Re: Knorr's comments, I wonder what he would have said about Storen after yesterday(?)'s game. Johnson goes out of his way to avoid calling any of them out. That's one of his problems. The other is there's no one standing behind the worst offenders (e.g., Mr. 119 Pitches in 5+ Innings Geez, Skip, My Arm is Shot) able to do the job that needs to be done. Several guys satisfied with their nos. not realizing mediocrity won't win squat.
Soriano has been mediocre at best for several weeks. He was lucky they pulled him today.
as far as I know, gio did his job. if you cannot close out four run lead without adventure, starter is not the problem.
NatsJack, to play OF? or bench help?
Mark shouldn't be deleting anyone's comments unless they are way out of line. Adults don't need uncle Mark removing posts.
I am happy to see Stras in particular, and Gio to an extent, going back to strikeouts and away from contact , which really does work for Jordsn. But we have to remember that strike outs just take more pitches and you can't be as efficient. Today I feel that Gio was somewhat victimized by very good hitters with very good approaches at the plate. Things could have gone much worse for him, but the damage was mostly contained. I thought I saw more spark, more intensity and more dugout communication today. Not saying we are over the worst , but that ninth today was a gut check in many ways.
Don't want to jinx him. But Clip has quietly become the anchor of that pen. What a horse.
Last time Harvey pitchef against us we won 5-4
Am I the only one that thinks that Storen should be used when we're way up or down and shouldn't be used protecting a small lead?
Storen should have been used today in the ninth.
One word for Davey : LOMBO.
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