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Game Thread: Washington Nationals at Florida Marlins- 2008 Game 85 of 162. "The Balester Era Begins..."

V-3_tiny by Ed Chigliak on Comment 112 comments

Washington Nationals at Florida Marlins, Jul 1, 2008 7:10 PM EDT


The Nationals look to rebound from a tough late-inning loss to the Marlins' last night that saw them blo...

Awww...Who am I kidding? It's all about Collin Balester tonight, as the Washington Nationals' 22-year old right-hander, an Expos' selection in the 4th Round of the 2004 Draft, 144th Overall, makes his Major League debut under the Curly "W". 

Before being called to DC, Balester was having his best season in the Nationals' system, posting a (9-3) record and 4.00 ERA in 15 starts and 78.2 IP, with wins in 8 of his last 10 starts and a (4-0) record through four starts in June, in which he's allowed 22 hits, 7 ER's and 6 walks, while collecting 19 K's in 22.1 innings. 

DC GM Jim Bowden reportedly challenged Balester this Spring, telling the young right-hander, according to Washington Post writer Chico Harlan's article entitled, "Injuries Force Teams to Rely on Youngsters":

"'If you want to get to us," he told Balester, 'you have to win. I don't want to see .500 down there with great stuff. What does that do for me?'"

Tough talk from the GM, is Bowden a .500 -GM thus far with his trades and acquisitions? Well the talking's done, let's see what the kid can do? Balester opposes the Marlins' 34-year old lefty, who makes his 153rd Major League start, and 197th overall appearance. Show'em what ya got, Balester...I'm late, let's go...

0 recs  |  Comment 112 comments

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DC Starting Lineup...

Bernadina CF
The Guzzz SS
DUKES!! RF
DY 1B
Ronnie B. 3B
PLoD C
WMP LF
FLop 2B
Collin, Collin, Balester, Balester…

Everything I say is a "little" sarcastic...

by Ed Chigliak on Jul 1, 2008 7:04 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

The Guzzzz singles with one down...DUKES?

Everything I say is a "little" sarcastic...

by Ed Chigliak on Jul 1, 2008 7:16 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Dukes lines out to second...

Everything I say is a "little" sarcastic...

by Ed Chigliak on Jul 1, 2008 7:17 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

95 mph heaters, a 76 mph curve, Lo Duca gets a full-count curve out of Balester, who throws an eventful 1st MLB inning...

Balester breaks his first bat, has the first error commited with him on the mound, a Nationals’ right of passage, and then he hits his first batter, smacking Willingham in theback with a curve…0-0 after one.

Everything I say is a "little" sarcastic...

by Ed Chigliak on Jul 1, 2008 7:32 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

According to ESPN.com's team split stats...

The Nationals are batting .248 as a team against left-handers…1 for 10 through three tonight…

Everything I say is a "little" sarcastic...

by Ed Chigliak on Jul 1, 2008 7:54 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

PLoD, WMP-E, and FLop...some bottom of the order...

...sometimes it sounds like I hate the Nationals…But I love DC’s Nationals…

Everything I say is a "little" sarcastic...

by Ed Chigliak on Jul 1, 2008 8:20 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

RBI single Lopez!

The ESPN K zone shows the single was WAY outta the zone.. and PLoD scores…from 2B?!

by CptChaosSidekick on Jul 1, 2008 8:20 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

I'd think he's done...

Everything I say is a "little" sarcastic...

by Ed Chigliak on Jul 1, 2008 8:42 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Lot of MLB Firsts for Balester...

First pitch.
First Hit Batter.
First K.
First Error While On the Mound.
First run allowed.
First walk.
First Sac Bunt.
First Wild Pitch.
First Time Working out of a tough spot.

Everything I say is a "little" sarcastic...

by Ed Chigliak on Jul 1, 2008 8:44 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

(ed. note - "Tempting fate is fun...")

Everything I say is a "little" sarcastic...

by Ed Chigliak on Jul 1, 2008 9:04 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

2 on, 0 outs for the Marlins in the 7th...

AAWWWWW! This is all my fault…

Everything I say is a "little" sarcastic...

by Ed Chigliak on Jul 1, 2008 9:17 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I'm sorry, Mystical Fates. I've obviously offended you. I sincerely apologize.

Hanley Ramirez destroys a full-count fastball…DEEEEEP to left for a three-run blast. 6-4 DC in the 7th.

Everything I say is a "little" sarcastic...

by Ed Chigliak on Jul 1, 2008 9:19 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Belliard walks. Lo Duca singles. Bases loaded for pinch hitter Kory Casto!! (clapclap)...

Casto grounds to first, Jacobs throws…wide of home plate!! Dukes scores. Everyone safe.

Everything I say is a "little" sarcastic...

by Ed Chigliak on Jul 1, 2008 9:39 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

7-4 DC.

Everything I say is a "little" sarcastic...

by Ed Chigliak on Jul 1, 2008 9:40 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Lopez singles. W. Harris singles. 9-4 Nationals. Bernadina gets a shot...???

Bernadina K’s swinging.

Everything I say is a "little" sarcastic...

by Ed Chigliak on Jul 1, 2008 9:44 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

MANNING!!!

When in doubt, blame PLoD

by Doghouse on Jul 1, 2008 9:55 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Love that Belliard.

Everything I say is a "little" sarcastic...

by Ed Chigliak on Jul 1, 2008 9:57 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Being let down by the bullpen is another rite of passage for a Nats starter...

...just like the errors. All this offense this game is to break him in gently.

When in doubt, blame PLoD

by Doghouse on Jul 1, 2008 9:58 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

AYALA!

You had to get tempting the Fates, didn’t you? If they lose, this is YOUR fault for bringing on the hoodoo.

When in doubt, blame PLoD

by Doghouse on Jul 1, 2008 9:59 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

NOOOOOO!!!!! AYAYAYAYAYAYALA!!!!

Everything I say is a "little" sarcastic...

by Ed Chigliak on Jul 1, 2008 10:02 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

9-6 Nationals. 2 on, 2 out for Hermida?...

Everything I say is a "little" sarcastic...

by Ed Chigliak on Jul 1, 2008 10:03 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Ayala finally fans him!

When in doubt, blame PLoD

by Doghouse on Jul 1, 2008 10:03 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

C'mon Ayala!!! Hermida chases strike three!! I avoid...

BLAME!!!! For one more inning, c’mon!!!

Everything I say is a "little" sarcastic...

by Ed Chigliak on Jul 1, 2008 10:04 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Do you bring Rauch right back?

Everything I say is a "little" sarcastic...

by Ed Chigliak on Jul 1, 2008 10:06 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

The BIG guy is warming up...

Everything I say is a "little" sarcastic...

by Ed Chigliak on Jul 1, 2008 10:07 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

C'mon, we need 4 or 5 insurance runs!

You think about what you did last night, Mr. Rauch, and you do better this time!

When in doubt, blame PLoD

by Doghouse on Jul 1, 2008 10:07 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Barring pinchers...

It’s Cantu, The Hammer, and Jacobs.

Everything I say is a "little" sarcastic...

by Ed Chigliak on Jul 1, 2008 10:09 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Belliyard is on fire!

At this rate his OPS+ is going to be over 100 by the next Tuesday Nats Stats.

When in doubt, blame PLoD

by Doghouse on Jul 1, 2008 10:09 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

OUCH! LO DUCA takes one in the ribs/arm/hand

Everything I say is a "little" sarcastic...

by Ed Chigliak on Jul 1, 2008 10:10 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

PLoD takes one for the team!

WWJD?

When in doubt, blame PLoD

by Doghouse on Jul 1, 2008 10:09 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

RBI single? That's my guess...

Everything I say is a "little" sarcastic...

by Ed Chigliak on Jul 1, 2008 10:11 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

No Whammy, No Whammy, No Whammy...STOP!!!

Wah, wah, wahhhh…Flores K’s.

Everything I say is a "little" sarcastic...

by Ed Chigliak on Jul 1, 2008 10:12 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

We Press Our Luck every night with the Nats...

Nice outing by Balester, though.

When in doubt, blame PLoD

by Doghouse on Jul 1, 2008 10:15 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Well played.

Everything I say is a "little" sarcastic...

by Ed Chigliak on Jul 1, 2008 10:16 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

The "Hammer" just went down whiffing...

Everything I say is a "little" sarcastic...

by Ed Chigliak on Jul 1, 2008 10:17 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

HOW DO THEY KEEP HITTING?!

Now it’s 1-2…

When in doubt, blame PLoD

by Doghouse on Jul 1, 2008 10:19 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO!

Everything I say is a "little" sarcastic...

by Ed Chigliak on Jul 1, 2008 10:20 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

It's Luis "The Yankee Beater" Gonzalez...

Everything I say is a "little" sarcastic...

by Ed Chigliak on Jul 1, 2008 10:21 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Nice cut, though.

(on the nickname swing that is…)

Everything I say is a "little" sarcastic...

by Ed Chigliak on Jul 1, 2008 10:26 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

2 outs, 2 on, full count...

Everything I say is a "little" sarcastic...

by Ed Chigliak on Jul 1, 2008 10:22 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

I'm glad Balester got his win first time out.

I just hope he doesn’t start to expect it…

When in doubt, blame PLoD

by Doghouse on Jul 1, 2008 10:23 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

In the words of the smuggler Han Solo:

“Great kid, Don’t get cocky!!”

Everything I say is a "little" sarcastic...

by Ed Chigliak on Jul 1, 2008 10:25 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

It's a trap!

No, wait, that’s not applicable…

When in doubt, blame PLoD

by Doghouse on Jul 1, 2008 10:26 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Later, Ed.

Let’s Go Nats Go!

When in doubt, blame PLoD

by Doghouse on Jul 1, 2008 10:28 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

I like compromise.

Everything I say is a "little" sarcastic...

by Ed Chigliak on Jul 1, 2008 10:29 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

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