Game Thread: Colorado Rockies at Washington Nationals - 2008 Game 123 of 162. "The Crow Countdown Continues...As Colorado Comes To DC..."

On The Hill...

Tim Redding beat Colorado last Monday in Coors Field, throwing 5.0 innings and allowing 6 hits and 4 runs in a 9-4 Washington win. The next night, Rockies' lefty Jorge De La Rosa pitched 7.0 innings head to head against DC lefty John Lannan, receiving no decision in a game that was ultimately decided by the bullpens. De La Rosa gave up just 6 hits, 2 runs and 2 walks while striking out 6 in the second game of the Washington's four-game road series against the Rockies, who dropped the last two games of that series to DC and have gone 2-4 since the Nationals left town. Washington is 2-7 over the last nine, having taken the last two in Denver and then lost seven-straight, four in Milwaukee and three straight at home to NY.

Redding's 1-1 in 4 starts and 5 overall appearances against Colorado in his 7-year MLB career with the Astros, Yankees, Padres and Nationals. In 23.0 innings against the Rockies, Redding's surrendered 21 hits 10 ER, 3 HR's and 11 walks with 13 K's, a 3.91 ERA, 1.39 WHIP, and .244 BAA. In '08, the 30-year old right-handed Redding is 8-7 with a 4.61 ERA in 25 starts and 140.2 innings, but over his last 5 outings, Redding's (1-4), having given up 36 hits and 23 runs in 26.0 innings pitched since July 14th.

De La Rosa's (0-1) in 2 starts and 12.2 innings opposite the Nationals in his 5-year career with the Brewers, Royals and Rockies. In 2008, the 27-year old left-hander is (5-6) with a 6.28 ERA in 15 starts and 5 relief appearances, with a 1.60 WHIP and .283 BAA in 81.2 innings pitched. De La Rosa's last two appearances have been in relief, but he's back in the rotation tonight according to MLB.com's Jeff Bimbaum's article, "De La Rosa goes back to rotation", in which he reports:

"De La Rosa was re-insterted into the rotation when Aaron Cook missed Thursday's start with stiffness in his lower back."

Nationals' #'s Against Jorge De La Rosa...

Ronnie Belliard - 2 for 3, .667 AVG.

Aaron Boone - 2 for 4, .500 AVG, 1 HR, 2 RBI's, 3 BB. 

Rockies Against Redding...

Garrett Atkins - 3 for 11, .273 AVG, 1 2B, 1 RBI. 

Clint Barmes - 2 for 5, .400 AVG. 

Brad Hawpe - 5 for 11, .455 AVG, 1 2B, 1 HR, 4 RBI's. 

Matt Holliday - 4 for 12, .333 AVG, 1 2B, 2 RBI's.

Troy Tulowitzki - 2 for 6, .333 AVG, 1 HR, 1 RBI.

Tim Kurkjian Weighs In...

ESPN's Tim Kurkjian starts his most recent ESPN the Magazine column entitled, "K Korner" with this assessment of DC GM Jim Bowden's acquisition of Austin Kearns and Felipe Lopez from the Reds back on July 13th 2006:

"When they acquired Austin Kearns and Felipe Lopez from the Reds, in 2006, the Nationals thought they were getting two future stars. But Kearns has slugged below .400 since, and Lopez was recently released because, in addition to hitting .234, he often didn't play hard."

In this trade, the Reds also sent Ryan Wagner, (currently rehabbing), along to DC in return for Gary Majewski, Bill Bray, Royce Clayton, Brendan Harris and Daryl Thompson. Clayton hit .235 with 8 doubles, 2 HR's and 13 RBI's in 50 games for the Reds, and Brendan Harris appeared in 8 games as a Red with 1 HR and 1 RBI, before the two left Cincinnati as free agents. Gary Majewski struggled with injuries his first two years in Cincy, but this season he's posted a 4.50 ERA in 26 games and 30.0 innings. Bill Bray, is finally living up to the expectations that warranted his 1st Round selection by the Expos, 13th overall in 2004, putting up a 2.75 ERA in 48 relief appearances and 39.1 innings in '08, during which he's allowed 42 hits, 12 ER's, 3 HR's and 9 walks with 42 K's. Daryl Thompson made his MLB debut on June 21 against the Yankees, receiving no decision in a Reds' win, and he's (0-2) with a 6.91 ERA in his first 14.1 major league innings, but he's (25-13) with a 2.85 ERA in 72 starts and 75 games in the minors. Well played, Mr. Bowden.

The Crow Countdown...

Just under 9 hours away from the midnight deadline to sign '08 Draft picks and there's still no word on Aaron Crow, the Nationals' 1st Round pick, 9th overall, signing with DC. Washington Post writer Chico Harlan spoke to Crow's agents Alan and Randy Hendricks for his Nationals Journal post entitled, "Crow's agent: I would doubt Nats sign Crow", in which he quotes Randy Hendricks stating that:

"His brother, Alan, told Jim Bowden before the draft that Crow wanted two things: A major league contract and a "premium" signing bonus, well above slot. (Recommended for a ninth overall pick: $2,150,000.) Knowing that, the Nats took Crow. Crow has not changed his demands."

This is of course, Mr. Harlan cautions, just one side of the negotiations, but when Mr. Hendricks then goes on to say that the Nationals are:

"...sticking to this sanctified slotting position...They've made their position clear throughout negotiations about their adherence to the slotting system."

...two days after Washington signed its 3rd and 4th Round picks to above "slot" money contracts, the idea that they're then gonna draw a hard line with their number one pick is a little hard to believe...8hrs, 26 minutes before DC fans find out for sure...

The Colorado Fans' Perspective: the SBN's Rockies' blog...Purple Row

And don't forget to...

Check the NatCast if you're heading to Nationals Park...

If you're not heading out drinking and trying to forget the Mets' visit to DC, we'll be following the game and Commenting along here at federalbaseball.com...Redding vs De La Rosa, as the Nationals look to beat the last team they've beaten and end their 7-game slide...Maybe the folks at Nationals Park should just let Teddy win a race so there's something to get excited about...Who's Watching The Nationals?