Ministry of Plenty
Sabtu, 30 Juni 2012
Game 75: They just can't make it easy.
Washington Nationals At Atlanta Braves: GameThread 75 Of 162.
Ministry of Plenty
Washington Nationals 5-4 Over Atlanta Braves On Michael Morse's Eighth Inning HR.
' Delgado vs Det: Chipper Jones made it over into foul territory off third to catch a low pop on the seventh pitch Washington Nationals' leadoff man Steve Lombardozzi saw in the opening at bat of the first game of the Nats' three-game series with the Atlanta Braves tonight in Turner Field. Jones had no chance to get Bryce Harper at first on a swinging bunt that rolled toward the left of the mound, however, and the Nats' 19-year-old outfielder was on with one down and Ryan Zimmerman up against the Braves' 22-year-old right-hander Randall Delgado.
The suddenly-red-hot Zimmerman, who's 9 for 23 in his last five games, started tonight's contest against the Nationals' NL East rivals with a single through second that moved Harper into scoring position, but Adam LaRoche grounded into an inning-ending 4-6-3 that brought a 23-pitch first by the Braves' starter to a close. Nats' lefty Ross Detwiler need just 13 pitches to retire Atlanta's first three batters in order in the bottom of the first and he had 13.1 scoreless in a row on the board when he was done with the inning. 0-0 after one.
' DIY: In spite of his recent hamstring issues, Michael Morse was able to go first-to-third' in the second when Danny Espinosa followed Morse's leadoff single with an expertly-executed one-out hit-and-run grounder through the right side of the infield. Espinosa almost got caught in a run down making his way to second on a 3-1 pitch to Jesus Flores, (did he think it was ball four?) but with Morse on third the Braves hesitated long enough for the Nats' second baseman to scurry back to first safely ahead of the throw. Flores K'd swinging looking for out no. 2, leaving it up to Ross Detwiler, who helped himself with an RBI single to right that dropped in front of Braves' right fielder Jason Heyward for an RBI single. 1-0 Nationals after one and a half. Det's hit breaks on 0 for 14 streak at the plate in 2012. After giving himself a 1-0 lead, Ross Detwiler retired the Braves in order for the second-straight inning in a 12-pitch bottom of the frame. Six Braves up, six Braves down.
' E's: Jack Wilson bobbled a grounder to second by Adam LaRoche, putting the Nationals first baseman on with two down in the top of the third. Michael Morse hit a sharp grounder to third that Chipper Jones couldn't wrangle in the next at bat, and Andrelton Simmonds made an ill-advised attempt to catch LaRoche sleeping at second, recovering it and throwing by the bag instead for the second of two errors commited on the play. E 4, E 5 and E 6 on consecutive plays, and of course Ian Desmond then came through with a two-out, two-run double to left that made it 3-0 Nats. Desmond attempted to take third on the throw home trying for Morse and made it safely, but got tagged when he popped up from the slide and came off the bag. 3-0 Nationals after two and a half. (ed. note - "The E:5 on Chipper was eventually taken away.")
' There Goes The... [Drinks]: Ross Detwiler gave up a leadoff walk to Freddie Freeman in the Braves' third, but retired the next two batters with Delgado bunting Freeman over for out no.2. Michael Bourn then hit a two-out infield single to put runners on the corners before Andrelton Simmons grounded out to end the third.
' You Don't Hang Curves to The Jesus: Jesus Flores got a hanging 78 mph 2-2 curve from Randall Delgado and crushed it for a one-out blast in the top of the fourth. Long fly ball to left and into the stands, 4-0 Nationals on Flores' third home run of 2012. Ross Detwiler retired the Braves in order on nine pitches in the fourth, extending his scoreless inning-streak to 16.1 without allowing a run (or 17.1 if you count the three batters he retired after giving up a leadoff HR in the second inning of a two-inning outing in relief against Boston on June 8th.) 50 pitches, 33 strikes for Detwiler after four scoreless.
' Detwiler Gets In and Out of Trouble: Ryan Zimmerman (2 for 3) and Michael Morse (3 for 3) hit one-and-two-out singles, respectively, off Braves' reliever Cristhian Martinez in the fifth, but the Braves' right-hander retired Ian Desmond and escaped further damage. Matt Diaz started the Braves' fifth with a double off Ryan Zimmerman's glove and into left field. Two outs later, Detwiler hit pinch hitter Juan Francisco to put two on with two out and the Nats' starter then mishandled a grounder back to the mound by Michael Bourn, E:1 and the bases loaded with two down. Andrelton Simmons popped to right to leave'em loaded though, and it was 4-0 Nats after five with Detwiler up to 67 pitches after a 17-pitch 5th.
' 6.0 Scoreless: The second Braves' reliever, Anthony Varvaro threw a quick 17-pitch, 1-2-3 top of the sixth, after which Ross Detwiler threw his sixth scoreless inning of the night, retiring the Braves in order in a seven-pitch inning. 18.1 scoreless for Detwiler. 74 pitches after six innings in Atlanta. Steve Lombardozzi doubled to left field and over Matt Diaz's head to start the seventh. 10th double of the year for Lombo, but Harper, Zimmerman and LaRoche went down in order to end the top of the frame. 2.0 scoreless in relief for the Braves' Varvaro. 4-0 Nats after six and a half.
' A Run? On Det?: Ross Detwiler hit Freddie Freeman in the shoulder with a slider to put a runner on with one down in the Braves' seventh. Jack Wilson dropped a bunt down that Detwiler couldn't pick up cleanly enough to make a play. Two on with one out, and a balk moved both runners into scoring position. Martin Prado sent an RBI single through second in a pinch hit appearance in the next at bat and it was 4-1 Nationals with runners on the corners and one down. Detwiler's scoreless-inning streak was over. A sac fly to left by Michael Bourn made it 4-2, and a two-out, two-run HR by Andrelton Simmons tied it. Simmons crushed a letter-high 1-2 slider for his 3rd HR of 2012. 4-4 game. Detwiler's done. Sean Burnett got Jason Heyward swinging to end the seventh.
' MORSE CRUSH: Braves' right-hander Chad Durbin took over in the eighth and gave up a solo HR to right by Michael Morse on the first pitch he threw. HR no. 3 for Morse, 5-4 Nationals. 4 for 4 on the night for Morse. Jesus Flores doubled with two down to chase Durbin. Roger Bernadina got a pinch-hit single on a grounder up the middle off Jonny Venters that Simmons could only knock down. Runners on the corners, and then bases loaded after Sean Burnett worked a walk, but Bryce Harper K'd swinging to end the inning. Sean Burnett came back out for the eighth, and surrendered an opposite field leadoff single to right by Chipper Jones, but Brian McCann K'd swinging at a filthy 1-2 slider and Matt Diaz grounded into an inning ending 6-4-3. 5-4 Nats after eight.
' Clipp'd: 5-4 Nationals after eight and a half when Jonny Venters pitched a scoreless top of the ninth. Tyler Clippard entered the game looking for his 13th-straight converted save opportunity since taking over as the Nats' closer. Freddie Freeman lined a 92 mph fastball to right-center for a leadoff double and just the second hit Clipp's allowed since May 20th. The first since 6/9. Eric Hinske flew to center in the next at bat, ONE!, but Clippard walked Martin Prado to put two runners on with one out. Michae Bourn flew to center on a 1-0 fastball for out no.2 and Andrelton Simmons flew to Harper in right to end it. 13 for 13 since taking over as closer. 5-4 final, Nationals win,.
' Miss The Game? The D.C. Faithful Were Watching...
' Doghouse's Post Game WPA Graph: "Game 75: They just can't make it easy.":
Via FanGraphs
- So Close: Ross Detwiler (-24.2% pitching, +10.7% hitting) has the lead for most of his 6.2 IP with only 1 K and 1 BB, but finally coughs up a tying two-run homer (-37.3%). However, he did get a two-out RBI single for the early lead (+11.3%).
- Is this clutch? Ian Desmond (+9.3%) gets a two-out, two-RBI single to put the Nats up by three (+16.0%).
- Setup: Sean Burnett (+14.3%) gets four scoreless outs in relief to earn a shutdown.
- Best mode: Michael Morse (+35.6%) seems to have finished his spring training with a 4-4 night, including a go-ahead HR in the 8th (+27.5%).
- Closed: Tyler Clippard (+16.8%) makes it interesting but gets through a scoreless 9th to win it.
Nationals now 44-31.
Jumat, 29 Juni 2012
Washington Nationals At Colorado Rockies: GameThread 74 Of 162.
Ministry of Plenty
Washington Nationals Drop 11-10 Decision To Colorado Rockies On Marco Scutaro's Walk-Off Single In The 11th.
' 4 of 4 In COL: The finale of the four-game series for the Washington Nationals and Colorado Rockies in Coors Field started with a 12-pitch, 1-2-3 top of the first by Rockies' lefty Josh Outman. Nationals' hitters roughed Rockies' pitching up in the previous two games, but the roles were reversed early this afternoon as Washington's bats were quiet in the first and Colorado's hitters connected for three straight singles to start the bottom of the inning up 1-0 on Edwin Jackson and the Nats before an out was recorded.
' E-Jacked: Dexter Fowler, Marco Scutaro (in a 9-pitch AB) and Carlos Gonzalez hit back-to-back-to-back singles off E-Jax in the Rockies' first with Fowler taking third on Scutaro's hit and scoring easily on CarGo's grounder through the right side of the infield. The Nationals' starter walked Todd Helton to load the bases in the next AB, and had Ryan Zimmerman bobble a ground ball to third off Chris Nelson's bat to let another run in. 2-0 Rockies. Carlos Gonzalez fell for a fake throw to first by Zimmerman on the play, however, and he was tagged out as he rounded the third base bag for the first out of the inning, but that only ensured that outfielder Tyler Colvin's HR in the next at bat was a three-run blast instead of a grand slam. 5-0 Rockies after one in Coors Field. Edwin Jackson threw 36 pitches total in the first.
' 7-0?: After a 16-pitch, 1-2-3 second by Josh Outman, Edwin Jackson returned to the mound and gave up a one-out single by Carlos Gonzalez and a two-out RBI double by Chris Nelson, who drove CarGo in from second after a throwing error on a pick attempt by E-Jax had advanced the Rockies' runner. 6-0 Colorado on Nelson's double and 7-0 when Nelson scored on the second-straight two-out hit, this one by Tyler Colvin. 7-0 Rockies in the second with Jackson up to 23 pitches in the inning and 69 total after two.
' <3 Is Hot: Edwin Jackson faked a bunt and pulled the bat back before singling for the Nationals' first hit of the game off the Rockies' Josh Outman with one out in the top of the third. Tyler Moore, who'd walked to start the frame, took second on E-Jax' hit and then third on a bloop single to left by Danny Espinosa. Bryce Harper K'd swinging for out no.2 on a fastball low in the zone that should have been ball four. Ryan Zimmerman tossed his bat thinking he'd walked in a run on a high 3-0 heater, then apologized to the ump as he retrieved the lumber and stepped back in to face a 3-1 pitch. Two pitches later, the Nats' third baseman singled through the middle of the infield for a two-out, two-run hit that made it a 7-2 game. Michael Morse then followed with a long fly ball to center that backed Dexter Fowler up to the wall and sailed over the outfielder's glove. 415ft+, 3-run HR. 7-5 game after two and a half on Morse's second of 2012.
' Edwin Jackson responded to the Nationals' hitters picking him up with a 14-pitch, 1-2-3 bottom of the third. Tyler Moore lined a single to left to start the fourth, leaving him 1 for 1 with a walk today and 7 for 14 in the series in Colorado. Rockies' right-hander Josh Roenicke, who took over for Outman (3.0 IP, 5 H, 5 R) retired the next two batters (swinging K, sac bunt) and picked Moore off second to end any chance of a rally. Rockies' infielder Marco Scutaro singled to start the bottom of the fourth and end Edwin Jackson's outing. 3.0 IP, 10 H, 7 R*, 7 ER*, 2 BB, 5 K's, 79 P, 48 S for E-Jax. Tom Gorzelanny took over on the mound. A wild pitch moved Scutaro into scoring position and he scored when Carlos Gonzalez threw his bat at a 3-2 slider from Gorzelanny and hit an RBI single to center to make it 8-5. * = 8 ER for E-Jax. Tyler Colvin then tripled in run number nine on a line drive to center that made it 9-5 Rockies after four in Coors Field. And Colvin was halfway to the cycle.
' Desi = All-Star?: Danny Espinosa doubled on a line drive to right from the left side and Bryce Harper followed with an opposite field RBI single to left to drive his teammate in and make it 9-6 Rockies in the top of the fifth. One out later, Michael Morse grounded into what looked like an inning ending 5-4-3, but Colorado third baseman Chris Nelson threw away the 5-4 part and allowed Harper to take third to put runners on the corners with one down. Adam LaRoche got enough of a 1-2 cutter from Roenicke for a sac fly to CF that scored Harper. 9-7. And Ian Desmond got all of a 93 mph 2-0 four-seamer for a two-run opposite field home run that made it 9-9 after four and half in Coors Field. Desmond's 13th HR of 2012. 9-9 after four and a half.
' Cheese (aka Tom Gorzelanny): Tom Gorzelanny hit the opposing pitcher (Josh Roenicke) in the first at bat of the Rockies' fifth and then gave up a double by Dexter Fowler that bounced off the out-of-town scoreboard in right. Runners on second and third with no outs. A walk to Marco Scutaro loaded the bases. Gorzelanny got a 6-4-3 DP out of Carlos Gonzalez, but gave up the lead. 10-9 Rockies after five. The Nationals went down in order on 10 pitches in the sixth in Josh Roenicke's third inning of work. Ryan Mattheus took over in the bottom of the inning, giving up back-to-back singles before getting a 5-4-3 DP and a groundout to second to keep it a one-run game after six. 10-9 Rockies.
' Rally? No: Michael Morse's two-out single was the Nationals' only hit in a scoreless top of the seventh by Rockies' left-hander Rex Brothers. Dexter Fowler (3 for 5) doubled to right with one down in the bottom of the inning. After Ryan Mattheus popped Marco Scutaro up for out no.2, Michael Gonzalez came on to face Carlos Gonzalez and walked the Colorado left fielder on four pitches before striking Todd Helton out to end the bottom of the seventh. Still 10-9 Rockies. Colorado right-hander Matt Belisle retired Ian Desmond and Tyler Moore to start the top of the eighth, but Jesus Flores hit a two-out double to left for his first hit of the game and 9th double of the year. Roger Bernadina got a pinch hit appearance with two down and sped to first for an infield single on a grounder to short, but Danny Espinosa popped out to left-center to end the Nats' eighth. Still 10-9 Colorado.
' One More Run?: Sean Burnett threw a scoreless eighth inning. Rockies' closer Rafael Betancourt came on looking for the save, but gave up the lead when Bryce Harper ca-rushed a 1-1 slider for a no-doubter to right field and off the wall at the back of the bullpen. 420ft? 10-10 tie. Harper's 8th HR of 2012 ties it up in the ninth. Betancourt retired the next three Nationals in order to keep it tied after eight and a half. Rockies' infielder Jonathan Herrera singled to right to start the Rockies' 9th. Pinch hitter Jordan Pacheco bunted Herrera over/gave up an out. A one-out walk to Dexter Fowler put two runners on, but Marco Scutaro grounded to short and Ian Desmond turned a 6-3 DP to end the Rockies' 9th.
' FREE BASEBALL!!: Adam Ottavino almost gave up the lead in the first at bat of the tenth when Ian Desmond missed a HR by inches, doubling off the top of the left field wall. Desmond's 22nd double of 2012. Tyler Moore K'd swinging for the first out of the inning. Jesus Flores grounded out for no.2. And Rick Ankiel K'd swinging, stranding Desmond at second after nine and a half. Todd Helton hit a one-out single to left, but his pinch runner was stranded two outs later as Craig Stammen threw a scoreless tenth. Rockies' right-hander Adam Ottavino struck out the side in eleventh, settin Danny Espinosa, Bryce Harper and Ryan Zimmerman down. Rockies' infielder Jonathan Herrera doubled to left-center with one in the bottom of the eleventh. Jason Giambi (aka the Giambino) [wretches] walked to put two runners on. And one out later, Marco Scutaro hit a 3-2 fastball to center for an RBI single and a walk-off win. 11-10 final in Coors Field.
' Miss The Game? The D.C. Faithful Were Watching...
' Doghouse's Post Game WPA Graph: "Game 74: Where do I even start?":
Via FanGraphs
- Rule 1 is stop digging: Edwin Jackson (-35.0%) gives up 8 ER in 3 IP, with 5 Ks and 2 BBs but 10 H! Tom Gorzelanny (-15.4%) only gives up 2 ER in his 2 IP, but the Nats were trying to come back at the time.
- Rallier: Michael Morse (+17.0%) hits a three-run jack in the 3rd to get the Nats within 2 (+15.1%).
- (No) Fireworks: Ryan Mattheus (+7.2) gets 5 outs and a shutdown to keep it close late.
- "Clutch": Ian Desmond (+28.9%) hits a game-tying, two-out, two-run bomb in the 5th (+21.3%) and a leadoff double in the 10th (+16.7%). He may have caught some balls, too. Bryce Harper (+23.1%) hits a monstrous, game-tying solo shot in the 9th (+31.7%).
- Eye of the tiger: Craig Stammen (-3.0%) doesn't even get a meltdown for giving up the walkoff (-36.5%) thanks to his two scoreless in the 9th and 10th, helping by a huge, inning-ending, two-on GDP in the 9th (+22.2%)
Nationals now 43-31.
Game 74: Where do I even start?
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Via FanGraphs
- Rule 1 is stop digging: Edwin Jackson (-35.0%) gives up 8 ER in 3 IP, with 5 Ks and 2 BBs but 10 H! Tom Gorzelanny (-15.4%) only gives up 2 ER in his 2 IP, but the Nats were trying to come back at the time.
- Rallier: Michael Morse (+17.0%) hits a three-run jack in the 3rd to get the Nats within 2 (+15.1%).
- (No) Fireworks: Ryan Mattheus (+7.2) gets 5 outs and a shutdown to keep it close late.
- "Clutch": Ian Desmond (+28.9%) hits a game-tying, two-out, two-run bomb in the 5th (+21.3%) and a leadoff double in the 10th (+16.7%). He may have caught some balls, too. Bryce Harper (+23.1%) hits a monstrous, game-tying solo shot in the 9th (+31.7%).
- Eye of the tiger: Craig Stammen (-3.0%) doesn't even get a meltdown for giving up the walkoff (-36.5%) thanks to his two scoreless in the 9th and 10th, helping by a huge, inning-ending, two-on GDP in the 9th (+22.2%)
Rabu, 27 Juni 2012
Washington Nationals: Nats Lunchbox - "Has Bryce Harper Won Over His Critics?"
Ministry of Plenty
Washington Nationals Win Big, 12-5 Over Colorado Rockies. Nats Collect 21 Hits, 7 Doubles, 4 HR's.
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• Hill Chatter: Two pitches into the game, after a hard-hit line drive to right by Colorado center fielder Dexter Fowler that Michael Morse caught, Washington lefty Gio Gonzalez was already talking to himself on the mound. The Nationals' starter got a fly to center from Rockies' third baseman Jordan Pacheco for the second out of the first, but gave up back-to-back two-out line drives to right with both Carlos Gonzalez and Michael Cuddyer singling to put runners on first and third with two down. Todd Helton K'd swinging, however, and Gio Gonzalez was through a 16-pitch bottom of the first in his 15th start of 2012. Colorado left-hander Christian Friedrich got three ground ball outs with eigth pitches in the top of the first tonight, but after retiring Michael Morse to start the second inning, the rookie starter surrendered an opposite field home run hit by Adam LaRoche, who took a first-pitch fastball to left for an opposite field blast and a 1-0 Nats' lead. Ian Desmond doubled in the next at bat and Tyler Moore followed with a single to put two on in front of Jesus Flores, but the Nationals' backstop grounded into an inning-ending 5-4-3 to get Friedrich through a 14-pitch second.
• 999: Gio Gonzalez retired the Rockies in order in an 11-pitch, 1-2-3 second that had him at 27 pitches overall after two innings pitched. Danny Espinosa singled with one down in the third and took second on a two-out double (and career hit no.999) by Ryan Zimmerman. Zim's 12th double of 2012 came on a 94 mph heater from Freidrich, and it was followed by double no. 6 of the season by Michael Morse, who drove both runners in to give Washington a 3-0 lead over Colorado in the third. Gio Gonzalez recorded K's no. 3 and 4 for the first two outs of the Rockies' third when he got the opposing pitcher swinging at a full-count fastball and then caught Dexter Fowler looking with a 96 mph four-seamer the outfielder thought was low. Jordan Pacheco singled with two down, however, and Carlos Gonzalez doubled him in, lining one to left and over Tyler Moore's head to get Colorado on the board down 3-1 in the third.
• 35 Pitches: The Nats' lefty was up to 26 pitches in the third when he issued a two-out walk after a nine-pitch at bat against Michael Cuddyer. Todd Helton worked the count full and lined to center for a two-out RBI single that brought Carlos Gonzalez in and made it 3-2 Nats. Bryce Harper faceplanted in the center field grass trying to field the ball in center and then sailed a throw home that got by Jesus Flores. The Nats' catcher tossed to Gio Gonzalez covering home when Cuddyer broke from third and the Nationals' left-hander almost got hurt as he turned into the runner trying to catch Flores' toss only to collide with Cuddyer. Luckily no one was hurt, but it was tied at 3-3 after 3.0. 35-pitch inning for Gio, who was up to 62 pitches overall after three.
• #DIY: Ian Desmond singled to start the fourth, but one out later he was thrown out by Rockies' catcher Wilin Rosario when the Nats' SS tried to take second on a pitch in the dirt. Jesus Flores doubled to left with two down, however, and Gio Gonzalez came through with a two-out RBI single to left to retake the lead. DIY, Gio. 4-3 D.C. After giving himself the lead, Gonzalez went back to the mound and tossed a quick, 7-pitch, 1-2-3 fourth to leave him at 69 pitches overall after four.
• Mr. 1,000: Rockies' lefty Christian Friedrich retired Bryce Harper for the first out of the fifth before he was lifted in favor of Colorado right-hander Guillermo Moscoso. Moscoso threw a 2-1 four-seam to the first batter he faced, Ryan Zimmerman, and surrendered hit no.1000 of the seven-year veteran's MLB career on a hard hit grounder to second that ate up Rockies' infielder Chris Nelson. It took the Nats' first 1st Round pick, no.4 overall in 2005, 3,922 PA's to get there. Congrats, Zim. Michael Morse followed with the second-straight single off the Rockies' reliever and Adam LaRoche walked to load the bases for Ian Desmond, who battled for eight pitches and doubled to left to drive Zim and Morse in and make it 6-3 Nats. Desmond's 19th double of 2012. And make that 9-3 Nationals after Tyler Moore crushed a 2-2 four-seamer from Moscoso for a towering HR to left and a six-run lead. Moore's 3rd HR of 2012 is a three-run blast twenty rows deep into the left field stands.
• HR? Off Gio?: Two pitches into the Rockies' fifth, Dexter Fowler cut into the Nationals' lead with an opposite field HR to right off Gio Gonzalez that made it a 9-4 game in the Nats' favor. Fowler's 10th was just the second this year surrendered by Gonzalez in 88.2 IP. The Nats' lefty got a double play grounder to third from Michael Cuddyer with one down in the inning, after he'd struck out Carlos Gonzalez for his sixth K of the game, but Ryan Zimmerman bobbled it and threw wide to Danny Espinosa at second, who couldn't make the play. Two on, with two out, but Gio Gonzalez did it again, getting a second double play grounder from Todd Helton and a 4-6-3 inning-ending DP. A 21-pitch frame had Gonzalez at 90 pitches total after five.
• TKCHZ!!: Ryan Zimmerman hit HR no. 4 of 2012 one AB too late, just missing a chance to have his 1,000th hit be a round-tripper. Hit no. 1,001 is a HR instead as Zimmerman takes Guillermo Moscoso to left and just over the wall by the 390ft sign. 10-4 Nationals on Zim's fourth. Michael Morse singled off Moscoso in the next at bat and Adam LaRoche followed with HR no.15 of 2012, sending a second opposite field blast out to left for his second HR of the game and a 12-4 Nationals' lead. That's a HR, single, HR and then a double by Ian Desmond, all with two outs against the Rockies' reliever. Desmond's 20th double of 2012 leaves him 4 for 4 (with 3 doubles) tonight. 12-4 Nationals after five and a half.
• 1 in 84.2 then 2 in 6.0: Gio Gonzalez had allowed just one home run in 84.2 IP before tonight's game but he gave up the second HR in 6.0 innings tonight when Rockies' shortstop Jonathan Herrera hit a two-out blast to left to make it a 12-5 game after six in Coors Field. A 12-pitch frame had Gonzalez at 102 pitches and done for the night with a seven-run lead.
• Gio's Line: Mark DeRosa pinch for Nats' lefty Gio Gonzalez in the seventh. Gonzalez was done after 6.0 IP, 8 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 7 K's, 2 HR, 102 P, 65 S, 4/4 GO/FO with a 12-5 lead.
• Everybody Hits!!: Bryce Harper (0 for 4) faced Rockies' right-hander Zach Putnam with two on and one out in the seventh, looking to become the last Nats' starter to collect a hit tonight. A slow roller to third stayed fair and Harper reached first safely for his first and the Nationals' 19th hit off the Rockies tonight. Ryan Zimmerman flew to right with the bases loaded for what looked like an RBI sac fly, but a strong throw home by Michael Cuddyer had Jesus Flores turning tail and running back to third where he was tagged to complete a rare 9-3-5 DP. Still 12-5 D.C.
• Stay-Min: Craig Stammen gave up back-to-back one-out singles in the seventh before completing a 15-pitch frame. Michael Morse singled to start the eighth, collecting his 4th hit in 5 AB's and the Nationals' 20th hit of the night off the Rockies. Colorado right-hander Matt Reynolds retired the next three batters, however, and it was still 12-5 after seven and a half. Stammen gave up a single but nothing else in a scoreless 12-pitch 8th. Mark DeRosa hit a ground-rule double to left in the Nationals' ninth, tying the Nats' record for hits in a game since relocating in 2005. 11 extra base hits tonight for the Nationals. Still 12-5 after eight and a half. Michael Gonzalez took over on the mound in the ninth, giving up a leadoff single by Dexter Fowler but nothing else in a scoreless ninth. 12-5 Nationals final.
• Miss The Game? The D.C. Faithful Were Watching...
• Doghouse's Post Game WPA Graph: "Game 72: They heard you talking trash about Eckstein.":
Via FanGraphs
- DIY: Gio Gonzalez (-5.7% pitching, +7.8% hitting) gives up 5R (4ER) in 6 IP with 7 Ks and 1 walk, although he helps himself with a go-ahead RBI single in the 4th (+10.5%).
- Meat of the order is meaty: Michael Morse (+16.9%) is 4-5 with a 2-run double (+15.4%). Adam LaRoche (+15.6%) is 2-4 with a walk and 2 dingers. Ian Desmond (+17.3%) is 4-5 with a 2-run double (+14.5%).
- Mr. 999, 1000, and 1001: Ryan Zimmerman (+7.2%) blows through the 1000-career-hit plateau on a 3-5 night with a solo shot.
- Quick, before the WPA runs out! Tyler Moore (+8.1%) hits a monstrous 3-run bomb for his first US RBIs (+8.2%).
Nationals now 42-30.
Game 72: They heard you talking trash about Eckstein...
Ministry of Plenty
Selasa, 26 Juni 2012
Washington Nationals At Colorado Rockies: GameThread 71 Of 162.
6-5
220
L
L
Jan 08, 1981
' 2011 Stats - (6-16), 31 G, 31 GS, 1 CG, 183.0 IP, 4.82 ERA, 4.10 FIP, ERA+ = 86, 39 BB (1.92 BB/9), 91 K's (4.48 K/9), 1.44 WHIP.
' 2012 Stats - (0-1), 3 G, 3 GS, 13.2 IP, 8.56 ERA, 4.00 FIP, ERA+ = 55, 4 BB (2.63 BB/9), 6 K's (3.95 K/9), 2.05 WHIP.
vs D.C. - (1-1), 5 G, 5 GS, 29.1 IP, 36 H, 18 R, 16 ER, 4 HR, 6 BB (1.84 BB/9), 18 K's (5.52 K/9), 4.91 ERA, 1.43 WHIP, .303 BAA.
Colorado Rockies Get To Stephen Strasburg In 6th, Beat Washington Nationals 4-2 In Series Opener In Coors Field.
' HBP On RSD: Danny Espinosa was on first, having been hit in the back in the first at bat of tonight's game. In AB no.2 of the first of four for the Nats in Coors Field, Colorado Rockies' shortstop Jonathan Herrera fielded a grounder and made a deliberate underhand toss to second and a late-arriving second baseman Marco Scutaro on what should have been the second double play grounder of Washington Nationals' outfielder Bryce Harper's career, but the exchange was awkward and in slow-motion and the Rockies' infielders had no chance of doubling Harper up at first after the force at second. Ryan Zimmerman hit one hard enough to third in the next at bat, however, so that third baseman Jordan Pacheco, Scutaro and Rockies' first baseman Todd Helton could get it right. 5-4-3 inning-ending DP and a nine-pitch opening frame for Colorado's Jeff Francis.
Rockies' leadoff man, Dexter Fowler, took a 96 mph fastball for a ride in Stephen Strasburg's first career at bat in Coors Field, but Fowler's counterpart in center, Bryce Harper, tracked it down and made a leaping catch for the first out of a 16-pitch 1-2-3 bottom of the inning which ended with Carlos Gonzalez swinging through a 90 mph 2-2 changeup from the Nats' 23-year-old, right-handed ace...
' Unproductive Outs: Michael Morse started the second with a scorched single through short. Jeff Francis struck the next two batters out, getting Adam LaRoche and Ian Desmond swinging before popping Tyler Moore up to end a 12-pitch second. A 97 mph 2-2 fastball outside at the knees got Stephen Strasburg a called strike three and K no.2 from Michael Cuddyer in the Rockies' second. Another 97 mph heater got a groundout to short from Todd Helton, and a 96 mph 0-2 four-seamer to Jordan Pacheco got Strasburg a second called strike three and his third K in 2.0 scoreless. A 12-pitch second had the Nats' right-hander at 28 pitches overall.
' Thanks, Bag: Jesus Flores singled to start the third and took second on a sac bunt by Strasburg. Danny Espinosa took a changeup in the back for his second HBP in two AB's against Francis tonight, but Bryce Harper K'd swinging at an 0-2 fastball away and Ryan Zimmerman grounded to first for what looked like an inning-ending groundout, but it bounced off the first base bag and up into short right for a two-out RBI double and a 1-0 Nats' lead after two and a half in Coors Field. Rockies' catcher Wilin Rosario started Colorado's third with a double to left-center on the first pitch of the frame from Stephen Strasburg, but five pitches, a pop to third and a weak grounder to first later the Nats' right-hander had two down with the runner at third when Dexter Fowler rolled a swinging bunt out to short for an infield single and a game-tying RBI. 1-1 game after three.
' DIY!!: Jeff Francis needed just 12-pitches to retire the Nats' batters in order in a 1-2-3 4th after which he had 4 K's in 4.0 IP and 53 pitches total on the night. A 10-pitch 3rd had Strasburg at 38 pitches as he started the bottom of the fourth. The Nats' right-hander gave up a two-out single by Todd Helton, but Strasburg completed a 14-pitch frame when he popped Rockies' shortstop Jordan Pacheco up to strand Helton at first in a 1-1 game. Jesus Flores almost made it 2-1 two pitches into the fifth when he lined to straight-center and off the wall for what he thought was a solo HR. The Nats' backstop settled for a double, sliding in safely just ahead of a throw in and Flores then scored when Strasburg helped himself with an RBI two-bagger to center that made it a 2-1 game after four and a half. Strasburg's 4th double of 2012.
' Sit. Down.: A 96 mph 1-2 fastball up high got Wilin Rosario swinging for out no.1 of the fifth and K no. 5 of the night for Nats' right-hander Stephen Strasburg, who struck Jonathan Herrera out with an 83 mph 1-2 bender and got the opposing pitcher with an 89 mph 1-2 change to strike out the side in a 13-pitch frame that had him at 65 pitches overall with 7 K's in 5.0 IP and a 2-1 lead over Rockies.
' Things Fall Apart: Rockies' reliever Josh Roenicke got the first two outs of the Nationals' sixth after taking over for Jeff Francis, but he gave up a two-out triple by Nats' shortstop Ian Desmond, who just happens to be the reliever's brother-in-law. Desmond was stranded at third, however, when Tyler Moore flew to center and Stephen Strasburg was quickly back out on the mound for the home half of the sixth. Dexter Fowler ripped a 1-1 change by first and into the right field corner for a sure-thing triple to start the bottom of the frame. The speedy Rockies' outfielder was looking back over his shoulder to watch the Nats throw it in as he cruised into third. In a scary incident in the next at bat, Strasburg hit Rockies' infielder Marco Scutaro in the head with a 95 mph fastball that bounced off Scutaro's helmet with a sickening thud. Scutaro left the game under his own power. Pinch runner Chris Nelson took over at first...
... Carlos Gonzalez started down 1-2 but ended up singling to right on a full-count curve from Strasburg in the next at bat. Fowler scored from third on the hit to tie it at 2-2. Michael Cuddyer hit the second-straight single off Strasburg to load the bases with no one out and a sac fly to center by Todd Helton gave the Rockies the lead. 3-2 game in Colorado after six. Strasburg pitched his way out of trouble by walking Jordan Pacheco to reload the bases before striking out Wilin Rosario and getting a force at second on a grounder from Jonathan Herrera that ended a 32-pitch frame after which the Nats' starter was at 97 pitches overall and done for the night.
' Strasburg's Line: 6.0 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 8 K's, 97 pitches, 65 strikes, 4/5 GO/FO, 1 HBP.
' Insurance Runs Are Defined As...: Bryce Harper K'd swinging at a curve in the dirt from Josh Roenicke to end the Rockies' right-hander's second scoreless inning in relief. Tom Gorzelanny walked pinch hitter Eric Young in the first at bat of the Rockies' seventh, then had the outfielder steal second with Dexter Fowler at the plate. Fowler K'd swinging for the first out of the inning, but Chris Nelson, who entered the game on the HBP on Scutaro, drove Eric Young in to make it a 4-2 game. Gorzelanny needs 20 pitches to get through the seventh. Rockies' right-hander Matt Belisle needed just 10 pitches to retire the Nationals in order in the eighth, popping Ryan Zimmerman up before he struck out Michael Morse and Adam LaRoche and it was 4-2 Rockies after seven and a half.
' Rally?: Tom Gorzelanny needed just eight pitches to retire the Rockies in order in the eighth. Colorado reliever Rafael Betancourt came on to close out the ninth. Ian Desmond K'd swinging at a 2-2 slider from the Rockies' right-hander. Tyler Moore fought to stay alive and dumped a 2-2 slider into short center for a one-out single. Jesus Flores went the other way with a 1-2 cutter and sent an opposite field single through the right side of the infield, but Roger Bernadina lined to right for out no.2. Danny Espinosa hit a dribbler to second to end the first of four for Washington in Colorado. 4-2 final. Strasburg takes his second loss of the season.
' Miss The Game? The D.C. Faithful Were Watching...
' Doghouse's Post Game WPA Graph: "Game 71: Offensive offense":
Via FanGraphs
- Rattled: Stephen Strasburg (-5.2% pitching, +9.1% hitting) almost gets through 6 IP with a lead on 8 Ks and 1 BB before a HBP and a blown 3rd-strike call end up putting the Nats behind on 3 ER. Of course, his RBI double in the 5th (+11.3%) got that lead in the first place.
- The battery hits: Jesus Flores (+13.3%) keeps up with Stras by going 3-4 with a double, scoring both of the Nats' runs.
- Needle'd: Ryan Zimmerman (+2.7%) hits an RBI double for the first of two leads the Nats would lose tonight (+11.8%).
- Phenom(enally bad): Bryce Harper (-14.4%) is 0-4 with 3 LOB and 3 Ks.
Nationals now 41-30.
Game 71: Offensive offense
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Senin, 25 Juni 2012
Baltimore Orioles Take Two Of Three From Washington Nationals On Matt Wieters' Eighth Inning HR. 2-1 Final.
' Zim Not Fake Tough: Ryan Zimmerman was still in the lineup this afternoon even after admitting last night that the shoulder inflammation that has plagued him all season continues to cause him discomfort which has robbed him of the bat speed he'd previously produced. The 27-year-old third baseman once again found himself behind on just about every fastball he saw as he fouled several mid-90's heaters off to the right side in his first at bat in the finale of the Washington Nationals' three-game series with the Baltimore Orioles. Zimmerman entered the game 0 for 8 in the first two games of the series, and eventually flew out to Adam Jones in right-center, sending an opposite field line drive to the O's outfielder for the second out of what ended up being a 17-pitch first by Orioles' starter Jake Arrieta, who surrendered only a single by Bryce Harper in the opening frame.
Ross Detwiler, in his return to the rotation in place of Chien-Ming Wang, was working quickly and throwing hard in an 11-pitch, 1-2-3 bottom of the first in which he was sitting around 93 mph with his fastball and throwing strikes to the first three Orioles' batters.
' Left Side?: Danny Espinosa connected with a 1-2 curve from Jake Arrieta and lined a two-out single to right-center in the top of the second, but Rick Ankiel K'd swinging at a 90 mph 1-2 fastball to end an 18-pitch inning by the Orioles' starter. O's outfielder Steve Pearce K'd swinging through a 3-2 change in a 17-pitch second by Nats' lefty Ross Detwiler, who was up to 28 pitches total after two scoreless at Camden Yards.
' Run Onion Run: Nationals' backstop Jhonatan Solano doubled to right field in the top of the third, sending a low liner by first and into the corner in right, then hustling around first and diving into second exhausted and just ahead of the throw in. Steve Lombardozzi got hit on the shoe in the next AB with a diving slider inside from Arrieta that caught his back foot, so Bryce Harper stepped in with two runners on and no one out. Harper hit one hard, but back to the mound and Arrieta stabbed it to start a slick 1-6-3 for the first two outs of the third, but Ryan Zimmerman came through with a two-out single, lining a 95 mph fastball to center to bring Solano in and make 1-0 Nationals after two and a half.
' Det Won't Be Rattled: Ross Detwiler got a fly to right from Ronny Paulino for the seventh-straight out to start the game, but O's left fielder Steve Tolleson singled to left in the next at bat for the Orioles' first hit. Robert Andino grounded to second for what should have been an inning-ending 4-6-3, but Ian Desmond threw high to first and Adam LaRoche couldn't hold on to it as he leapt and swiped at the runner as he passed. A force at second off Brian Roberts' bat ended the bottom of the third, however, and the 11-pitch inning had Detwiler at 39 pitches overall after three.
' Detwiler Remains Calm: Jake Arrieta retired the Nationals in order in an 11-pitch, 1-2-3 fourth, after which he was at 72 pitches overall on the day. Ross Detwiler gave up leadoff and one-out singles by J.J. Hardy and Matt Wieters in the Orioles' fourth, but dialed it up to 95 to get first baseman Mark Reynolds swinging for out no.2 and K no.3 in 3.2 scoreless. Detwiler issued his first walk of the afternoon to Steve Pearce, loading the bases for Ronny Paulino, but the Orioles' DH flew out to right to end the bottom of the fourth after 24 pitches by the Nats' starter. Jake Arrieta needed just eight pitches to retire the Nationals in order in the top of the sixth, after which he'd retired seven straight going back to Ryan Zimmerman's two-out RBI single in the third.
' Detwiler Loses His Cool, But Not Lead: Steve Tolleson gave away an out, popping a bunt attempt back to Ross Detwiler on the first pitch of the Orioles' fifth. Robert Andino hit a broken bat single to short right with one down, and Brian Roberts took the second walk of inning from the Nats' left-handed starter after which Ross Detwiler was screaming into his glove unhappy with home plate umpire David Rackley's zone. A visit from pitching coach Steve McCatty seemed to calm Detwiler down, and he got out no.2 on a weak grounder toward third by J.J. Hardy that Ryan Zimmerman handled. (ed. note - "'Handled' here meaning made a great charging play.") Adam Jones stepped in with runners on second and third, and lined a 2-2 pitch to left to end the bottom of the fifth. Still 1-0 Nats. Detwiler up to 82 pitches after a 19-pitch frame.
' Charlie Harper Hustle: Bryce Harper was hustling out of the batter's box on a leadoff single to center in the top of the sixth, and he kept running, taking second ahead of a throw in by Adam Jones. Harper's 11th double of 2012. Ryan Zimmerman was completely fooled by a 2-2 slider way outside for the first out of the inning and after an intentional walk to Adam LaRoche, Michael Morse K'd swinging and Ian Desmond popped out to end a 23-pitch frame by Arrieta. Craig Stammen took over for Ross Detwiler in the bottom of the sixth, retiring the Orioles in order in a 13-pitch inning to preserve the Nationals' 1-0 lead.
' Stam-Men, Not Stay-Men: O's lefty Troy Patton needed just seven pitches to retire the Nationals in order in the top of the seventh. Orioles' DH Ronny Paulino lined to right on the first pitch from Craig Stammen in the bottom of the frame. Stammen was back out for his second inning of work. O's manager Buck Showalter turned to Chris Davis, who was mired in an 0 for 28 slump and was 0 for 29 after he flew out to left for the first out. A four-pitch walk to Robert Andino put two on in front of Brian Roberts, but the Orioles' infielder grounded out to first for out no.2 and J.J. Hardy rolled out no.3 to third where Ryan Zimmerman made the play to end a 16-pitch inning by Stammen.
' Zim's Gutty, Veteran-y, Gritty-y: Troy Patton struck both Steve Lombardozzi and Bryce Harper before he was replaced on the mound by Pedro Strop. Ryan Zimmerman singled up the middle for his second hit in four at bats this afternoon, but Orioles' right fielder Chris Davis made a nice shoestring catch for the third and final out of the Nationals' eighth. Sean Burnett gave up an opposite field single by Adam Jones in the bottom of the inning and a two-run HR by Matt Wieters in the next at bat. BANG! Wieters crushed an 0-1 fastball, sending his 10 HR of 2012 into the Orioles' bullpen deep in center field. 2-1 O's. Just the second HR Burnett's surrendered this season. Burnett was replaced after a one-out walk to Steve Pearce and Ryan Mattheus got help from Ryan Zimmerman at third on a slick 5-4-3 inning ending DP on a grounder to third off Ronny Paulino's bat. 2-1 O's after eight.
' O's closer Jim Johnson came on in the ninth, looking for save no. 21 of 2012. Michael Morse grounded out to second. Ian Desmond took a one-out walk to put the tying run on, but a strike'em out, throw'em out double followed as Espinosa K'd swinging and Desmond got gunned by Wieters trying for second. Ballgame. O's take two of three from the Nationals and take the season series from the Nats.
' Miss The Game? The D.C. Faithful Were Watching...
' Doghouse's Post Game WPA Graph: "Game 70: Score more runs, Nats.":
Via FanGraphs
- Gotta go longer: Ross Detwiler (+30.5%) is in and out of jams over 5.0 IP, fanning 3, walking 2, but giving up no runs.
- Fixed? Ryan Zimmerman (+3.6%) is 2-4 with an RBI single for the Nats' single run (+9.8%).
- Shutdown: Craig Stammen (+20.0%) dances around trouble, but gets through 2 scoreless in relief.
- Meltdown: Sean Burnett (-55.0%) gives up the go-behind, two-run HR (-45.3%).
- Not helping: Michael Morse (-17.1%) is 0-4 with 2 LOB. Bryce Harper (-3.2%) is 2-4, but hits into his first GDP to tamp down a two-on rally in the 3rd (-11.4%).
Nationals now 41-29.
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