Game Thread: Los Angeles Dodgers at Washington Nationals - 2008 Game 132 of 162. "First In War, First In P _ _ _ _, Last In The National League, TV Viewers And Radio Listeners..."

by Patrick Reddington on Aug 26, 2008 11:00 AM EDT

Los Angeles Dodgers at Washington Nationals, Aug 26, 2008 7:10 PM EDT

Setting The Scene...

Earlier this season, the Los Angeles Dodgers were losses four, five and six of (one of) Washington's nine-game losing streaks, which stretched from 7/22-7/31 in the middle of a road trip out West through San Francisco and Los Angeles for three each, and back home for three more against Philadelphia when the Nationals returned to the nation's capital. Tonight DC welcomes the Dodgers to play out the last three of six in the season series between the two non-rivals. (ed. note - "Though the Dodgers are responsible for starting the careers of Piazza and PLoD, which I find hard to forgive, personally speaking.")

The last time the teams met out in La La Land, the Dodgers hadn't yet acquired their long-haired left fielder Manny Ramirez, who takes his whole "Manny being Manny" act out to the one place in the country for which it seems perfectly suited, since LA can appreciate the "entertainment" he provides while leading them (possibly) into the playoffs. Ramirez was hitting just below .300 at .299 when he was traded from Boston to Los Angeles, and since then he's hitting just under .400 at .380 in 22 games and 79 AB's, over which he's collected 30 hits - 3 doubles, 6 HR's and 21 RBI's with a .410 OBP, .590 SLG, and 1.125 OPS.

Since acquiring Manny Ramirez, the Dodgers are 11-11, and their 65-65 record is good enough for second in the West, where LA sits 3.0 games behind Arizona, (with both teams getting Monday night play underway as I write), and the Dodgers are 10.5 games behind NL Wild Card-leading Milwaukee in the Wild Card race, so it's the West or nothing for Manny and the rest in Dodger blue. So you know they'll be looking to take all three in DC, and they just might have the arms to do it...

On The Hill...

Collin Balester (2-6, 4.99 ERA) started against the Giants on the Nationals' loss-filled July trip out West, so he missed the Dodgers, and will be facing them for the first time tonight, in the 10th start of the 22-year old right-handed hurler's rookie campaign. Balester's dropped three straight since recording his second career win on August 3rd in Cincinnati, and at home on the season, he's (1-3) with a 5.06 ERA in 26.2 IP.

The Dodgers counter with Derek Lowe, (10-10, 3.89 ERA) who dominated DC when Washington visited Dodger Stadium, throwing 8.0 scoreless and allowing just 1 hit, (to Ronnie Belliard, who doubled), and one walk...(to Austin Kearns one out later in the 4th inning of that outing, which ended with Jesus Flores K'ing to strand the only two runners Lowe let on.)

In his 12-year MLB career, Lowe's (5-0) with 3 saves in 5 starts and 6 relief appearances against the DC franchise, posting a 2.88 ERA in 40.2 IP against the Nationals/Expos, against whom he's allowed 32 hits, 13 ER, 4 HR's and 11 walks, with 33 K's collected. Lowe's (5-2) in his last 9 starts through July and August, though his ERA's jumped up more than two runs in his four August starts, from 3.06 to 5.09. The Dodgers are 6-3 in Lowe's last 9 starts, though they've won just two of the last five.

Nationals' #'s Against Derek Lowe...

Ronnie Belliard - 2 for 8, .273 AVG, 1 2B.

Aaron Boone - 2 for 6, .333 AVG, 2 2B, 3 RBI's.

Cristian Guzman - 5 for 21, .238 AVG, 1 2B, 4 RBI's.

Willie Harris - 5 for 20, .250 AVG, 1 2B.

Austin Kearns - 2 for 17, .118 AVG, 1 HR, 2 RBI's.

Ryan Zimmerman - 2 for 14, .143 AVG, 1 HR, 1 RBI.

Oh, I Miss DY...Why?

DY vs D. Lowe - 8 for 24, .333 AVG, 2 2B, 2 HR, 3 RBI's.

First In War, First In P _ _ _ _, Last In The National League, TV Viewers And Radio Listeners...

I mean this one paragraph alone, in Washington Post Staff Writer Paul Fahri's article entitled, "From The Basement, It's No Wonder The Reception Is Poor," just about says it all:

"How low? So low that even the microscopic numbers reported by the rating service might be too low to be statistically valid."

Now I meant to take that quote out of context, so that I could explain what Mr. Fahri's talking about...What's low? The Nationals' radio audience. The "microscopic numbers" from the "rating service"?...were provided by Arbitron, whose company website describes their work as, "...measuring network and local-market radio audiences across the United States, surveying the retail, media and product patterns...(blah blah blah blah blah...they say how many people are listening so people know how much to charge and pay for ads..."), and...How low are the Nationals' #'s?...(brace yourself...), as Mr. Fahri writes:

"The team's broadcasts on the station formerly known as WWWT (107.7 FM and 1500 AM) attracted a cumulative weekly audience of about 26,500 from May through July, the most recent period measured by Arbitron."

Assuming that the Nationals played five or six games each of those weeks, that means, there were an average of 4,400-5,300 people listening per game...which along with (You'll remember similar stories about the Nationals' TV #'s.)...the 9,000 tv viewers...means...anywhere between (approximately) 13,400-14,300 people per night are listening to or watching the Nationals? With an average Mr. Fahri provides of just under 30,000 average attendance at Nationals Park, and you've got 44,000 people following the Nationals in some way every day...seems alright, until Mr. Fahri notes that the Seattle Mariners, have:

"...won just two more games than the 46-85 Nationals as of Sunday. But the Mariners attracted 133,000 listeners per week, or about 26,000 per weekday game, through July."

So there are twice as many people listening to the Mariners every night as there are watching, listening and going to see the Nationals combined?...Is that possible? Someone check my math? More people listening (on the radio?) to the Mariners than the combined numbers of those watching and listening to the Nationals?

Tonight's game gets underway at 7:10 pm EST in DC's Nationals Park. Balester vs Lowe. DC vs LA. Democracy vs Movies. East vs West. Manny vs The Slugger The Nationals Need. The 10th Game Of The Collin Balester Era. The Nationals are 2-14 in their last 16...and after ending a 12-game losing streak with one win over Philly and one over Chicago, the Nationals are working on a 2-game losing streak...

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Lineups...

—-Dajas: 1)Kemp CF 2)Ethier RF 3)Kent 2B 4)Manny LF 5)Loney 1B 6)Martin C 7)Nomaa SS 8)Blake 3B 9)Lowe P.
Nationals: 1)ThrillyHarris LF 2)Guz SS 3)Zimm 3B 4)Lasto CF 5)Belli 6)Flores C 7)Langerhans RF 8)Bonifacio 2B 9)Balester P.

by Winston Smith on Aug 26, 2008 6:41 PM EDT reply actions

Thanks, Winston.

“Freedom is the freedom to say that two and two made five…”

Everything I say is a "little" sarcastic.

by Patrick Reddington on Aug 26, 2008 7:11 PM EDT up reply actions

Belli 1B...

—-Sorry…

by Winston Smith on Aug 26, 2008 6:42 PM EDT reply actions

Langerhans for Kearns for now...

Sorry, Langerhits, but HURRY UP SUPER DUKES!

Everything I say is a "little" sarcastic.

by Patrick Reddington on Aug 26, 2008 7:08 PM EDT reply actions

Balester uses just 7 pitches to get through the first...

Everything I say is a "little" sarcastic.

by Patrick Reddington on Aug 26, 2008 7:17 PM EDT reply actions

Go Nats

I'm worried about the beer supply. After this case, and the other case, there's only one case left- Barney Gumble

by CptChaosSidekick on Aug 26, 2008 7:25 PM EDT reply actions

Balester drops a nasty curve on Manny and then pops him up to start the second...

Everything I say is a "little" sarcastic.

by Patrick Reddington on Aug 26, 2008 7:27 PM EDT up reply actions

A walk and a single later, No-Ma is up with 1 out, 2 on...

Everything I say is a "little" sarcastic.

by Patrick Reddington on Aug 26, 2008 7:30 PM EDT up reply actions

Balester gets a DP grounder from Garciaparra to end his 2nd scoreless...

Everything I say is a "little" sarcastic.

by Patrick Reddington on Aug 26, 2008 7:32 PM EDT up reply actions

The one day I bench Milledge (DTD) he hits a HR

I'm worried about the beer supply. After this case, and the other case, there's only one case left- Barney Gumble

by CptChaosSidekick on Aug 26, 2008 7:36 PM EDT reply actions

His hand looked alright on that swing...

Everything I say is a "little" sarcastic.

by Patrick Reddington on Aug 26, 2008 7:37 PM EDT up reply actions

Pitchers shouldn't reach base no matter what

I'm worried about the beer supply. After this case, and the other case, there's only one case left- Barney Gumble

by CptChaosSidekick on Aug 26, 2008 7:43 PM EDT reply actions

except when the person after them hits into an inning ending double play

I'm worried about the beer supply. After this case, and the other case, there's only one case left- Barney Gumble

by CptChaosSidekick on Aug 26, 2008 7:44 PM EDT up reply actions

Zim and Bonifacio with the DP to end the third scoreless for Balester!

Everything I say is a "little" sarcastic.

by Patrick Reddington on Aug 26, 2008 7:45 PM EDT up reply actions

Balester was beating himself up about sailing the throw...

Everything I say is a "little" sarcastic.

by Patrick Reddington on Aug 26, 2008 7:49 PM EDT up reply actions

Emili-Oooooo lines a single to center and takes second on a sac...

WILLIE HARRIS WANTS TO PLAY?!!

Everything I say is a "little" sarcastic.

by Patrick Reddington on Aug 26, 2008 7:47 PM EDT reply actions

WILLIE HARRIS wants others to play..advances runner to 3rd..2outs

I'm worried about the beer supply. After this case, and the other case, there's only one case left- Barney Gumble

by CptChaosSidekick on Aug 26, 2008 7:51 PM EDT reply actions

WILLIE HARRIS WANTS GUZMAN TO PLAY???

Everything I say is a "little" sarcastic.

by Patrick Reddington on Aug 26, 2008 7:52 PM EDT up reply actions

THE GUZzzzzz comes up big with a rare two-out RBI. 2-0 DC.

Everything I say is a "little" sarcastic.

by Patrick Reddington on Aug 26, 2008 7:54 PM EDT up reply actions

GUUUZZZ w/ the 20ut RBI single crowd owwwwssss & ahhhhhssss

I'm worried about the beer supply. After this case, and the other case, there's only one case left- Barney Gumble

by CptChaosSidekick on Aug 26, 2008 7:54 PM EDT reply actions

Like they'd never seen one before...

Everything I say is a "little" sarcastic.

by Patrick Reddington on Aug 26, 2008 7:54 PM EDT up reply actions

I believe there's one a the dc smithsonian

I'm worried about the beer supply. After this case, and the other case, there's only one case left- Barney Gumble

by CptChaosSidekick on Aug 26, 2008 7:55 PM EDT up reply actions

They're also holding Zimmerman's last home run ball in case he neve...

What am I doing? I almost made fun of Zimmerman…Long season…

Everything I say is a "little" sarcastic.

by Patrick Reddington on Aug 26, 2008 7:56 PM EDT up reply actions

one of this years fantasy duds

I'm worried about the beer supply. After this case, and the other case, there's only one case left- Barney Gumble

by CptChaosSidekick on Aug 26, 2008 7:57 PM EDT up reply actions

My brother just dropped Zimmerman...

…sneakily waiting until after he did it to tell me. Bastid.

Everything I say is a "little" sarcastic.

by Patrick Reddington on Aug 26, 2008 8:00 PM EDT up reply actions

Manny Ramirez rips a grounder through Guzman after Jeff Kent's one-out single...

2 on, 1 out for James Loney…

Everything I say is a "little" sarcastic.

by Patrick Reddington on Aug 26, 2008 8:01 PM EDT reply actions

Balester pops up Loney, and now the Dodgers get the 2-out RBI change???

Everything I say is a "little" sarcastic.

by Patrick Reddington on Aug 26, 2008 8:04 PM EDT up reply actions

...and by "change" I of course mean, "2-out RBI CHANCE!"...

Everything I say is a "little" sarcastic.

by Patrick Reddington on Aug 26, 2008 8:06 PM EDT up reply actions

Balester gets a groundout from Russell Martin to end his 4th scoreless...

Everything I say is a "little" sarcastic.

by Patrick Reddington on Aug 26, 2008 8:08 PM EDT up reply actions

Milledge looking good draws the walk..karma should I leave him on the bench?

I'm worried about the beer supply. After this case, and the other case, there's only one case left- Barney Gumble

by CptChaosSidekick on Aug 26, 2008 8:11 PM EDT reply actions

Announcers said Milledge is hitting around .300 in his last 30 games. So I'd get him in there for now...

Everything I say is a "little" sarcastic.

by Patrick Reddington on Aug 26, 2008 8:12 PM EDT up reply actions

I know I meant he's doing well b/c I benched him ha ha

I'm worried about the beer supply. After this case, and the other case, there's only one case left- Barney Gumble

by CptChaosSidekick on Aug 26, 2008 8:12 PM EDT up reply actions

Ugh! Balester hits the first two batters of the fifth...

Everything I say is a "little" sarcastic.

by Patrick Reddington on Aug 26, 2008 8:18 PM EDT reply actions

Balester picks No-Mah off second, but the Ump disagrees...

Everything I say is a "little" sarcastic.

by Patrick Reddington on Aug 26, 2008 8:19 PM EDT up reply actions

INSTANT REPLAY

I'm worried about the beer supply. After this case, and the other case, there's only one case left- Barney Gumble

by CptChaosSidekick on Aug 26, 2008 8:19 PM EDT up reply actions

I think if they're gonna use it, they might as well use it everwhere...

Everything I say is a "little" sarcastic.

by Patrick Reddington on Aug 26, 2008 8:21 PM EDT up reply actions

Balester hits two batters in a row....

I'm worried about the beer supply. After this case, and the other case, there's only one case left- Barney Gumble

by CptChaosSidekick on Aug 26, 2008 8:18 PM EDT reply actions

Setting up the triple play

I'm worried about the beer supply. After this case, and the other case, there's only one case left- Barney Gumble

by CptChaosSidekick on Aug 26, 2008 8:18 PM EDT reply actions

Triple play is only a little less rare than a DC two-out RBI...

Everything I say is a "little" sarcastic.

by Patrick Reddington on Aug 26, 2008 8:20 PM EDT up reply actions

LMAO

I'm worried about the beer supply. After this case, and the other case, there's only one case left- Barney Gumble

by CptChaosSidekick on Aug 26, 2008 8:21 PM EDT up reply actions

Balester walks the opposing pitcher to load the bases with 0 outs...

Everything I say is a "little" sarcastic.

by Patrick Reddington on Aug 26, 2008 8:22 PM EDT up reply actions

Walks the pitcher..bases chucked and no outs..top of their line-up

I'm worried about the beer supply. After this case, and the other case, there's only one case left- Barney Gumble

by CptChaosSidekick on Aug 26, 2008 8:22 PM EDT reply actions

Hope for the throw home and to first, for a quick double play...???

Everything I say is a "little" sarcastic.

by Patrick Reddington on Aug 26, 2008 8:23 PM EDT up reply actions

What looks like it might be a triple play, is a run scored, when Flores forgets to tag the runner...

Everything I say is a "little" sarcastic.

by Patrick Reddington on Aug 26, 2008 8:25 PM EDT up reply actions

No excuse

I'm worried about the beer supply. After this case, and the other case, there's only one case left- Barney Gumble

by CptChaosSidekick on Aug 26, 2008 8:28 PM EDT up reply actions

You have to be aware that it's a force at home after Zim tags third, Flores was looking for the triple-play...

Everything I say is a "little" sarcastic.

by Patrick Reddington on Aug 26, 2008 8:30 PM EDT up reply actions

Lowe throws a quick 1-2-3 fifth. 2-1 DC after five.

Everything I say is a "little" sarcastic.

by Patrick Reddington on Aug 26, 2008 8:36 PM EDT reply actions

Well if he hit Manny I'd be fine with that

I'm worried about the beer supply. After this case, and the other case, there's only one case left- Barney Gumble

by CptChaosSidekick on Aug 26, 2008 8:37 PM EDT reply actions

I'd prefer a HBP to the double Manny just SPANKED!

Everything I say is a "little" sarcastic.

by Patrick Reddington on Aug 26, 2008 8:39 PM EDT up reply actions

Wow! Looks like Balester's done...

Manny Acta brings on Marco Estrada to try and keep Balester in line for the win…

Everything I say is a "little" sarcastic.

by Patrick Reddington on Aug 26, 2008 8:40 PM EDT up reply actions

The sim of Nats stadium had it juuuuusssst a bit outside (Bob Ucker voice)

I'm worried about the beer supply. After this case, and the other case, there's only one case left- Barney Gumble

by CptChaosSidekick on Aug 26, 2008 8:40 PM EDT up reply actions

20 years later I still laugh at that and the...

“It’s too high…” – “What do you mean it’s too high?” exchange every time I see that movie…

Everything I say is a "little" sarcastic.

by Patrick Reddington on Aug 26, 2008 8:42 PM EDT up reply actions

I got to get going

Go NATS!!

I'm worried about the beer supply. After this case, and the other case, there's only one case left- Barney Gumble

by CptChaosSidekick on Aug 26, 2008 8:42 PM EDT reply actions

Good timing, this is about to get blown wide open...OR NOT!

Hard liner to Zim, who catches it and steps on second, double play!!!

Everything I say is a "little" sarcastic.

by Patrick Reddington on Aug 26, 2008 8:44 PM EDT up reply actions

Marco Estrada strikes out Lowe to end the LA sixth with the 2-1 lead in tact...

Everything I say is a "little" sarcastic.

by Patrick Reddington on Aug 26, 2008 8:49 PM EDT up reply actions

...and by Zim steps on second, I of course mean "third"...sorry, I was excited, and clapping and all...

Everything I say is a "little" sarcastic.

by Patrick Reddington on Aug 26, 2008 8:56 PM EDT up reply actions

Shell's on to face LA in the top of the 7th...

Shell K’s Kemp.

Everything I say is a "little" sarcastic.

by Patrick Reddington on Aug 26, 2008 9:01 PM EDT reply actions

Shell gets Ethier looking...

LASTINGS MILLEDGE DIVES TO ROB JEFF KENT….STAND UP AND STRETCH…

Everything I say is a "little" sarcastic.

by Patrick Reddington on Aug 26, 2008 9:05 PM EDT up reply actions

DC goes down in order in the 7th...

SA-OOL!!

Everything I say is a "little" sarcastic.

by Patrick Reddington on Aug 26, 2008 9:11 PM EDT reply actions

Does Manny Being Manny include...

Hitting in 3 of every 4 at bats? Single to start the 8th…

Everything I say is a "little" sarcastic.

by Patrick Reddington on Aug 26, 2008 9:17 PM EDT reply actions

Saul Rivera strikes out Loney and gets a double play grounder Martin to end the LA 8th...

Everything I say is a "little" sarcastic.

by Patrick Reddington on Aug 26, 2008 9:27 PM EDT up reply actions

"Wild" Joel Hanrahan is on to close out the win...

No-Mah, Blake and the Pitcher’s spot due up…

Everything I say is a "little" sarcastic.

by Patrick Reddington on Aug 26, 2008 9:34 PM EDT reply actions

I'm back.and I see a score that's not what I expected

I'm worried about the beer supply. After this case, and the other case, there's only one case left- Barney Gumble

by CptChaosSidekick on Aug 26, 2008 9:36 PM EDT reply actions

I'm bitin' my nails...the Nationals never win like this...

Everything I say is a "little" sarcastic.

by Patrick Reddington on Aug 26, 2008 9:37 PM EDT up reply actions

I didn't say they'd already won...I did not jinx this...

Everything I say is a "little" sarcastic.

by Patrick Reddington on Aug 26, 2008 9:38 PM EDT up reply actions

Ah oh.....

I'm worried about the beer supply. After this case, and the other case, there's only one case left- Barney Gumble

by CptChaosSidekick on Aug 26, 2008 9:39 PM EDT up reply actions

"Wild" Joel's..uh, a little wild...

Everything I say is a "little" sarcastic.

by Patrick Reddington on Aug 26, 2008 9:40 PM EDT up reply actions

I keep having to refresh the browser to se whats going on..LAME

I'm worried about the beer supply. After this case, and the other case, there's only one case left- Barney Gumble

by CptChaosSidekick on Aug 26, 2008 9:38 PM EDT reply actions

Hanrahan vs Sweeney...

Everything I say is a "little" sarcastic.

by Patrick Reddington on Aug 26, 2008 9:39 PM EDT up reply actions

Hanrahan walks Sweeney to bring up...

KEMP!!!???

Everything I say is a "little" sarcastic.

by Patrick Reddington on Aug 26, 2008 9:42 PM EDT up reply actions

So much for that W....

I'm worried about the beer supply. After this case, and the other case, there's only one case left- Barney Gumble

by CptChaosSidekick on Aug 26, 2008 9:42 PM EDT up reply actions

Don't worry...

It’s a DC Closer Tradition to, “Make it interesting!”

Everything I say is a "little" sarcastic.

by Patrick Reddington on Aug 26, 2008 9:43 PM EDT up reply actions

e chigliak you promised me a w :(

I'm worried about the beer supply. After this case, and the other case, there's only one case left- Barney Gumble

by CptChaosSidekick on Aug 26, 2008 9:43 PM EDT up reply actions

It was all going so well...

Everything I say is a "little" sarcastic.

by Patrick Reddington on Aug 26, 2008 9:44 PM EDT up reply actions

C'mon DP???

Everything I say is a "little" sarcastic.

by Patrick Reddington on Aug 26, 2008 9:44 PM EDT up reply actions

Full count to Kemp...

Everything I say is a "little" sarcastic.

by Patrick Reddington on Aug 26, 2008 9:45 PM EDT up reply actions

Kemp flies out to center...

2!!!

Everything I say is a "little" sarcastic.

by Patrick Reddington on Aug 26, 2008 9:46 PM EDT up reply actions

Hanny vs Ethier...

Everything I say is a "little" sarcastic.

by Patrick Reddington on Aug 26, 2008 9:46 PM EDT up reply actions

(sounds of drums)

I'm worried about the beer supply. After this case, and the other case, there's only one case left- Barney Gumble

by CptChaosSidekick on Aug 26, 2008 9:46 PM EDT up reply actions

Han-RA-HAN! Han-RA-HAN!!!!

Everything I say is a "little" sarcastic.

by Patrick Reddington on Aug 26, 2008 9:48 PM EDT up reply actions

GROUND OUT TO FIRST!!!!

Balester gets the W. Hanrahan gets the save. DC gets a win!!!! And The D-Backs get some help….

Everything I say is a "little" sarcastic.

by Patrick Reddington on Aug 26, 2008 9:49 PM EDT up reply actions

DC Closers just like to "Make it Interesting", I told you...

(wipes sweat off brow…)

Everything I say is a "little" sarcastic.

by Patrick Reddington on Aug 26, 2008 9:50 PM EDT up reply actions

NATS WIN!!

Great D today! See ya round Fed Baseball laters

I'm worried about the beer supply. After this case, and the other case, there's only one case left- Barney Gumble

by CptChaosSidekick on Aug 26, 2008 9:50 PM EDT reply actions

Zimmerman's can pick it!! Later, Capt.

Everything I say is a "little" sarcastic.

by Patrick Reddington on Aug 26, 2008 9:53 PM EDT up reply actions

Woo-hoo! Beauty night for baseball!

70ish, nice breeze, and a win! Through some trades and visitors, I have four games straight (no rainout!).

Tonight’s Presidents Race: Teddy comes out with a big lead, wearing a blue do-rag with long dreads! He gets around the RF corner, then pulls up near the stands to goof off with some fans… the rest of the presidents come around to win, and he’s last again. The annoucer: “Ah, well, it’s just Teddy being Teddy…”

Also, did you guys see Lasto run the bases on his dinger? He ran the bases. No lazy jog, no HR trot, he ran—not “dig out a double” hard, but noticeably fast.

Let’s go Nats go!

Fire Lenny! Fire Bowden! Fire SOMEONE!

by Doghouse on Aug 26, 2008 10:36 PM EDT up reply actions

I did notice Lasto with his head down running out the homer...

Now it’s just business as usual from old excitable Milledge! Maybe he was just afraid Lowe would hit him with a sinker in the back if he showed him up at all?

Everything I say is a "little" sarcastic.

by Patrick Reddington on Aug 26, 2008 11:17 PM EDT up reply actions