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| Photo by USA Today |
Stephen Strasburg (5-9. 3.01 ERA) will try and continue his success this season against the Phillies whom he tossed eight innings of one-run ball against on May 26. His career numbers against the Phils aren't quite as pretty with a 4.43 ERA across 22 1/2 total innings. He is making his 23rd start of the season overall.
Pitching for Philly is right-hander Kyle Kendrick who is 10-8 with a 4.36 ERA this season. Kendrick has faced the Nationals three times this season, allowing a combined seven earned runs through 19 2/3 innings. Each of his last outings against Washington (6/19, 7/11) he has lasted at least seven innings with just a run allowed.
Stay tuned for updates throughout the game...
PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES at WASHINGTON NATIONALS
Where: Nationals Park
Gametime: 5:05 p.m. EDT
TV: MASN, MLB.tv
Radio: WJFK (106.7 FM), WFED (1500), XM 185
Weather: Chance of storms, 84 degrees, Wind 7 mph RF to LF
NATIONALS (56-60)5:13 p.m. -- We've got one half-inning in the books as Strasburg gets Utley to ground out on a double play for the second and third outs. Rollins led off with a single to right field on the first pitch of the day and Frandesn struck out looking for the first out. Strasburg needed eight pitches, all of them strikes.
CF Denard Span
3B Ryan Zimmerman
LF Bryce Harper
RF Jayson Werth
SS Ian Desmond
1B Adam LaRoche
C Wilson Ramos
2B Steve Lombardozzi
RHP Stephen Strasburg
PHILLIES (52-64)
SS Jimmy Rollins
1B Kevin Frandsen
2B Chase Utley
LF Dominic Brown
RF Darin Ruf
3B Cody Asche
C Erik Kratz
CF Michael Martinez
RHP Kyle Kendrick
UMPIRES
HP John Hirschbeck (cc)
1B James Hoye
2B Bob Davidson
3B Jim Reynolds
5:24 p.m. -- The Nats are off to a good start after pushing a run across in the first. Span got things started with a single to left field. He was then moved to second on a Zimmerman groundout, before being knocked home by Werth on a single to center. Werth's 1,001th hit gave the Nats a 1-0 lead as we now go to the second. Kendrick threw 15 pitches (11 strikes).
5:35 p.m. -- Strasburg started the second off by walking Brown, but kept him at first in another scoreless inning. Ruf and Asche both struck out swinging before Ramos gunned out Brown as he attempted to steal second. During the Brown at-bat, Strasburg threw a fastball way inside and sort of stumbled off the mound afterward. Trainer Lee Kuntz, along with Steve McCatty and Davey Johnson, came out to check on Strasburg, but he was fine. He threw a warmup toss and then they walked away.
5:44 p.m. -- Washington got two men in scoring position in the bottom of the second, but came away with nothing. Ramos and Lombo singled to get on and were moved over by a Strasburg sac bunt. With two outs Span then grounded out to first base to send us to the third. Kendrick has 25 pitches (20 strikes) so far.
5:51 p.m. -- 1-2-3 for Strasburg in the third as he needed just nine pitches to retire the Phillies 7-8-9 hitters. Kratz lined out with a bullet right to Zim at third and Martinez and Kendrick then struck out. Strasburg has thrown 33 pitches total through three.
5:57 p.m. -- Kendrick finally put in a clean inning with three quick outs on Zimmerman, Harper and Werth. Zim and Harper both grounded out and Werth went down with a swinging strikeout. Kendrick is at 38 pitches on the day.
6:04 p.m. -- Frandsen got on in the fourth with a one-out single to right field before Utley popped out and Brown struck out swinging. Strasburg is now through four with just a hit and a walk, plus seven strikeouts already. He's thrown 43 pitches and is showing no signs of slowing down, or injury for that matter.
6:31 p.m. -- Two more runs for the Nats in the fourth inning as they now lead 3-0 in the game. Desmond led off with a single and was joined on base by LaRoche who walked. Ramos then singled home Desmond and a Lombo ground ball got LaRoche to third. Strasburg struck out with one out, but more notably took a 87 mph pitch from Kendrick off his right hand while attempting to bunt. Span then hit a high bouncing grounder in the infield to bring home LaRoche. Kendrick threw 34 pitches that inning and now has 72 on the day.
6:39 p.m. -- After a bottom of the fourth that nearly lasted 30 minutes, Strasburg made quick work of the Phillies in the top of the fifth. He got Ruf to strike out swinging for his eighth K of the day, then got Asche and Kratz to hit flyouts. Strasburg is at 61 pitches through five.
7:00 p.m. -- Three more runs for the Nats in the fifth made this one a 6-0 game. Werth and Desmond singled to get it started and LaRoche walked to load the bases. Ramos then hit a grounder to Utley who threw home for the forceout. His throw, however, was a little off and Kratz couldn't reel it in. Werth scored and knocked the ball out of his glove which allowed an alert Desmond to scurry home for another run. Lombo then singled to right field to plate LaRoche and give the Nats' their sixth run of the day.
7:06 p.m. -- Three up, three down for Strasburg who is cruising with just 72 pitches through six scoreless innings. All three outs were put in play, allowing Strasburg to need just 11 pitches in that frame.
7:13 p.m. -- Jayson Werth just continues to rake. He added his third single of the day in the bottom of the sixth and is now hitting .328 on the season. The Nats came away with no runs in the inning, however, and it's still 6-0 as we go to the seventh.
7:16 p.m. -- Werth walked off the field slowly after the end of the sixth and was replaced in right field by Roger Bernadina. I'll provide an update as soon as I can.
7:27 p.m. -- Nothing much to report on from the seventh inning as both teams notched a single each and nothing more. Strasburg will now take the mound in the top of the eighth with 82 pitches thrown.
7:35 p.m. -- Another strong inning for Strasburg to make it eight scoreless. He's thrown 90 pitches and should have a chance for the first shutout of his career.
7:42 p.m. -- Span, Zimmerman, and Harper went down in order as Strasburg will now take the mound in the ninth looking for the complete game shutout.
7:49 p.m. -- Game over, Strasburg has his first career shutout and the Nats have a sweep of the Phillies. Final score 6-0.
135 comments:
Whose dog did Kurt Suzuki kick? He's getting little PT these days.
start time might be because WUSA 9 is televising Nats games this weekend and they have golf before. I remember Bob welcoming the golf viewers early in yesterday's game.
Ghost, I don't think Zook has done anything wrong, just that Wilson is really hitting well
Mark, didn't Reynolds have the plate yesterday?
sorry, Chase, missed your name
This umpire alignment is indeed the same as yesterday. Good catch, ONF.
Lombo in at second for Rendon? Seems odd to me.
Davidson called Friday night's game, so I think it's Hirschbeck's turn behind the plate.
OK, Syracuse's game (home game), ALSO starts at 5 p.m. Harrisburg and the P-Nats are starting at 6 pm... OK, then.
oNF, Nats have to also make sure Zuk doesn't get 113 starts or else the $8.5 million option automatically kicks in.
Ghost, if Ramos gets injured and the Nats bring up Solano to keep Suzuki on the bench, wouldn't the players' association have a fit?
Suzuki has 69 starts this season and with 2 more starts by Ramos it's a mathematical impossibility for Kurt to get the 113 starts. I thought they would use a 5 day a week schedule for Ramos going forward. Probably will only sit for day games and doubleheaders.
With 46 games left, Suzuki does not get 44 more starts to earn that option so I think 'hot bat' is the main reason for Ramos playing so much.
Sect222, yes, you are right but Zuk still wouldn't start the remaining 44 games as you would expect Solano to get 6 starts so for all intents and purposes that realistically negate the vesting option.
Now then, do you value Zuk enough to offer him a backup catcher contract which will be a $5 million pay cut?
Ramos is hitting where Suzuki was not.
No dogs involved.
No way golf off in time.
I am assuming our buddy Hirshbeck has the plate.
Rendon shook his wrist after second K. Maybe a little sore.
Ghost, I guess the answer depends on whether Rizzo thinks that Solano or Leon is ready to be the backup catcher. I can easily imagine signing Suzuki again, obviously for much less than $8.5 million -- he's reliable and durable. He just can't hit.
I think if Suzuki played 2 times a week he could hit. He just can't seem to play 5 times a week and stay effective.
Many, many years ago, when I was 14 years old and in my second year of Pony League baseball, I remember a game where my team was trouncing our opponent that day. After I had just gotten my fourth hit of the day, my manager laughingly said, "Sonny, save some of those hits for tomorrow. I didn't say anything to him, but I thought, "tomorrow doesn't have anything to do with what we do today. Why should't we keep scoring?" Now all these many years later, I wonder if the manager knew something I didn't. Seems like when the Nats score a bunch of runs in one or two games back-to-back, we then have a hard time scoring any runs for a while. I hope this doesn't happen this evening. Let's hammer the Phillies again and sweep this series. GYFNG!
THEORHETICALLY each game is independent and none should effect annother as far as runs scored.
Went to Cox again today. Span wasnt there. How's he going to follow instructions today?
Pony League, where? Sonny G 10
As much as the bloggers will tell you the hitting coach makes no difference, it sure does sound like FP would not agree. He has pointed out some pretty specific adjustments that would not appear to be coincidental.
Any official reason why we are having a 505 game. When something is totally different it usually has a story.
He basically says what I have always said.
Agree most bloggers do not agree.
Shadows dont bother Rollins.
Anyone notice Rivrra blew third save since Wednesday today. 2 homers in the 9th
Re: Harper's popped up bunt. I think Utley was afraid if he dove for it and missed it, everybody would be safe. He wanted to get the sure out and try for the double play.
Hirschbeck's not a guy you want to argue with, Frandsen.
Stras 8 pitches all strikes in the first.
or spit on DP, that incident will define his career and that of Roberto Alomar forever, was a sad day in MLB.
Nice turn of the DP. David Proctor,I agree. Hirshbeck's first strike of the low ball on Utley was a statement call.
Anyone know why this game is not on Extra Innings? Cant pick it up on DirectTV
Span remembeted outside pitch drive to right.
For all you say and do, WODL that hit by Span was for you.
I mean left
Mike Dempsey, its on MASN, 640 on Directv.
Harper needs to swinging at breaking balls and not swing at fastballs.
I knew that Manassas
Stay hot, Jayson Werth.
MNF, you need to give advice to Span more often...nice job Werth although not sure why they pitched to him.
Werth
Lead off hit, fielders choice, Span to second, Werth RBI. Gotta love it. That's what Rizzo had in mind.
Werth is doing this without a hot, but just a normal Desi.
All can meet me at Cox
Furst inning no balls.
Cramp? Not that hot.
Back in a bit of a rhythm now.
Sit back down, Stammen.
I'm thrilled by that throw down by Ramos. Dominic Brown is usually a pretty good base stealer.Love it!
Brown had a good jump on a breaking ball, and Ramos still got him.
Thanks Paul but blacked out on 640 I'm in Florida w/Extra Innings added sports package, thought that might get it... I can see O's game but not Nats
LaRoche is so slow lol...anyone else beats that out.
That was poor, ALR.
LaRoche is slow, but he didn't run hard.
Poor AB by Span.
Span forgot do not pull one in the middle and outside. That one was basically in the middle possibly slightly outside of middle.
He needs to follow onstruction 100% of the time to improve chances.
Jamey Carroll to KC.
Stras is an executioner when his curve works like that!
33 pitches 24 strikes for Stras.
Maxwell hit his fifth homer for the Royals last night.
Joe, Nats now get to see JMax and Jamey Carroll when they face the Totals.
Royals
Kendrick breaking ball isnt getting hit like his fast ball.
Jayson made an out? Werthless.
I was surprised by the Astros trading Justin as he had seemed to have found a home there. I'm pulling for hometown player LJ Hoes since the O's traded him to the Astros.
Hey Insiders:
It's midnight in Bled, Slovenia.
Listening to MLB at bat
1-0 Nats and the castle built here in 1080 is beautiful at night
Great red wines and excellent beersv(Union & Lasko)
Go Nats!
Question for those who know more than me.
I have been to 12 home games. Each have had this same thing. Seems there is 2 or 3 blocks of seats that no one sits in (Not behind home but like 110 and 132).
Why is thay. Today it might be the sun causing spot
Stras after 4 43 pitches 32 strikes.
Balking Bob keep your eye glued.
Buffalo good job.
308, how's the food?
Awful call on that that strike by Hirshbeck on Span.
I'll take it.
Span pulled inside foul, ok approach.
Second strike no where close to a k.
Third over the middle/miiddle out slammed down.
You know what I'm thinking right now.
Asche saves a run.
Lol Hirschbeck.
Harp got an extra strike there.
Damn it Harper given a present and he refuses to accept it
Was at the Nats game on Wednesday... Redskins game Thursday... Nats game on both Friday and Saturday....
Talk about tired, I am exhausted... But I had a lot of fun and am hoping for the sweep....
Hirschbeck is awful today.
You see my daughter at Skins game? Was wearing he 10 jersey
Too many pitches to Ruf.
I should have asked if anyone was going to the Skins game, MnF.... We go to every preseason opener no matter where it is..
There were a lot of Skins fans there... Glad football is back but I'm still hoping to see the Nats play in October..
My daughter lives in Nashville.
61 pitches 5 innings . 18 that inning.
DESMOND!!!!!!!
That was freaking sick!
Desi looked great there.
Wowowowowowow.... Lol... Yeah, good going Desi and Werth and Wilson....
ok wilson, note to self, you are not fast. otherwise, you are awesome. desmond is awesome too.
Havent showed play at third on a replay yet. Looked out but always like a double check.
That's the first outfield assist I've ever seen Ruf get on that throw from RF to get Ramos.
Wilson is not fast at all... Lol.. Bless his heart...
Ramos isn't exactly...what's a nice way to put it...fleet of foot.
I'm surprised there wasn't a SFM shout out on that run by Desi...
Our silver slugger pitcher hasn't been too good with the bat this year... :(
Remember Span remember
Ball in the middle up the middle is correct.
Need to meet ALR and Harper at Cox.
There message is different. Define spred of pitch. Both swing way to early on breaking balls. Judge the speed better please.
72 pitches in 6 innings. Wuth 9 K wuite impressive.
Whoa! Carp says it's time to start talking Gold Glove for Span! WODL is now having the Heimlich maneuver performed on him if he heard Carp! LOL
Span still hasn't made an error all year. I realize errors are a poor metric, but I can't recall but maybe one or two balls all year that Span has misplayed.
One, David, in my opinion, and it was against the wall. It was tougher then it looked on TV.
Werth likrs Schu
OK,Jayson must be dealing with the devil himself!
have to think Span becomes a hitting coach when he retires.
is werth off because of that slide at home?
He did walk gingerly after that slide, but he looked fine on the bases after his last hit. Probably just giving him a rest with a 6-0 game.
David, I wouldn't.
anyways, span, hicks, and crisp have zero errors in CF.
Strasburg is thinking CGSO right now.
I hope he can get it.
That was one of Ryan's better throws of the year.
David Proctor said...
Strasburg is thinking CGSO right now.
______________________________________
Let's hope.
Strasburg said something, and Hirschbeck laughed.
In my my mind tge conversation
Stras: man I looked silly on that K.
Hirsch. Just like you make tge Phils look all night.
90 pitches.
David Proctor said...
That was one of Ryan's better throws of the year.
_______________________________
You beat me to it. A almost normal throw with some heat on it.
I think Ryan knows what Davey said and has taken it to heart. Still playing on the edge of the grass. One thing at a time.
Well, after the way Stras looked in the 2nd, who'd a thought he'd be in line for his first complete game?
Glad Hirschbeck and Harp haven't had any issues this series (so far).
Pitch in the middle Span hit to center
think I heard Carp say "...Span hitting the ball well after that talk by MNF yesterday in his appearance at Cox..."
man, Hirschbeck sux tonight!!!!
God I am enjoying this! In the club seats today! GO STRAS!
Come on Bryce, you don't wanna go 0-5.
Zim was not out. Feet had not moved yet.
sorry, and just my opinion but Hirschbeck just looks for a confrontation...shut up, keep your mask on & make the call, john, you are not bigger than the game...he must have been the last cut on his HS varsity team.
Aww shucks now...
STRASS!! Complete Game!!
RyanZ Web Gem to end the complete game shutout 4 hitter. Nice!
you all may hammer me for this comment but it's about damn time SS threw a complete game.
Nice job SS!
Wow... What a play by Zimm... But what a game by SS!!!
That third baseman for the Nats looked pretty good tonight!
Way to go Stras!
Anybody know when the last complete game shutout by a Nat's pitcher was?
Julie Alexandria was dresses for the Gatorade!
She was dressed for the occasion.
Okay, just got home from the game, and a few things happened that we got no clear explanation for, hope someone can help us out here:
1) Second inning, everyone and his brother went to visit Strasburg at the mound. We missed what prompted the visit, if anything. Naturally worried that he was hurt...
2) Fourth inning: What do the replays show - was SS HBP or not?
3) Finally, what was the scoring on the play that Desmond scampered home while the Phillies catcher was standing around? Total blackout of the play, of course, but no official scoring was ever shown.
BTW, the official scorer must have been smoking some loco weed tonight. Had the balls and strikes count wrong several times.
What a great game, though. Phillies fans were mercifully quiet, SS pitched a great game, fabulous play by RZimm to end the game, and Teddy put a serious beating on the Sharknado - even did a belly-flop on him while the other presidents stood around and watched, and then somehow caught up with all of them and won the race.
Life is good.
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