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Game Thread: Washington Nationals at Colorado Rockies- 2008 Games 114-115 of 162. "DC Double-Header Game Thread...Plus...Super Dukes and Balester America..."

Washington Nationals @ Colorado Rockies


On The Hill...

Here's yesterday's report on the Odalis Perez/Jeff Francis matchup. As of 11:50 pm EST Wednesday, there are conflicting reports about who will start which game tonight (Thurs.), but the when?...Is 3:05 pm EST for the first game of the afternoon/evening twin-bill. The game Perez doesn't pitch in will feature Jason Bergmann on the mound for the Nationals opposing either the Rockies' right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez or lefty Jeff Francis...

Bergmann's one and only career start against Colorado came on September 7, 2006 here at Coors Field in Denver, but...it didn't last long, as the then-24-year old Bergmann bowed out after just 3.2, allowing 5 hits, 5 runs, 1 HR and 3 walks, while also striking out 5...Leaving Neptune, NJ's favorite son with a 12.27 ERA, 2.18 WHIP and .385 BAA, uh, against the Rockies. 

Now 26, Bergmann's (1-6) in 8 starts and 9 appearance on the road this season, with the one win coming back on May 15th in New York’s Shea Stadium...I'm tired of talking about Bergmann losing...The Nationals beat the Reds the last time Bergmann took the mound, breaking a five-game streak of losses in Bergmann starts, and Washington's been shut out 4 times when Bergmann's pitched, (1-0, 4-0, 3-0, 2-0), lost four 1-run games he began, and they should have won, rather than lost two, (if not three), of three scoreless appearances Bergmann threw in May immediately after being recalled from Triple-AAA Columbus...

Bergmann's (1-8) in '08 with a 4.33 ERA and 71 K's, 25 walks, a 1.30 WHIP and a .270 BAA after 16 starts, 18 appearances and 99.1 innings pitched...

...Signed as an amateur free agent out of Nagua in the Dominican Republic in 2001, Ubaldo Jimenez didn't debut with the Rockies until September 26, 2006. Jimenez's first start against the Nationals came the next season, on July 19, 2007, in RFK Stadium, where he threw 5.0 innings of 4-hit, 2-run ball, receiving no decision, but collecting 5 K's from DC batters. Later in '07, Jimenez welcomed Washington to Coors Field, opposing and defeating Tim Redding while throwing 7.0 innings in a 3-hit, 1 ER win. 

Now 24, and coming off a (5-1) July during which Ubaldo Jimenez posted a 1.74 ERA, a 1.06 WHIP and a .201 BAA in 41.0 innings, (over which he allowed just 29 hits, 8 ER and 3 HR's while walking 15 and striking out 29)...Jimenez started August with a 7.0 inning, 2-hit shutout of the Marlins on the road in Miami. After starting the season (1-7), Jimenez is (7-2) in 9 starts since he broke a six-game losing streak on June 21st by beating the Mets right here in Coors Field...Now (8-9), Jimenez has lowered his ERA from a season-high 6.46 early in the season to a respectable 3.61 ERA after 24 starts and 142.0 innings heading into today's start...

...(ed. note - "And at 12:01 pm EST, Washington Post writer Chico Harlan makes it official in a Nationals Journal post entitled, "Details on the Doubleheader", in which Mr. Chico reports:

"The starters:

Game 1: Jason Bergmann (1-8, 4.33) vs. Jeff Francis (3-7, 5.67)

Game 2: Odalis Perez (4-8, 4.16) vs. Ubaldo Jimenez (8-9, 3.61)"

** - Mr. Harlan also has a link to where Barry Svrluga fans can get a$29.95 photo of the Great Svrluga...on the Great Wall.

Nationals' #'s Against Ubaldo Jimenez...

Willie Harris - 1 for 3, .333 AVG, 1 3B, 1 RBI.

Ryan Zimmerman - 1 for 6, .167 AVG, 1 2B, 1 RBI. 

Austin Kearns - 1 for 4, .250 AVG.

Ryan Langerhans - 1 for 2, .500 AVG, 1 SB.

Rockies vs Bergmann...

Matt Holliday - 1 for 2, .500 AVG, 1 HR, 2 RBI's.

Troy Tulowitzki - 1 for 2, .500 AVG. 

Willy Taveras - 1 for 1, 1.000 AVG. 

Super Dukes Goes Down...Doctors Guess 4-6 Weeks...Dukes Could Be Back By Monday...They Don't Know Dukes!!!

According to MLB.com's Bill Ladson, in an article at the Nationals' official site entitled, "Dukes headed to disabled list", the Nationals placed Elijah Dukes on the 15-Day DL with what Mr. Ladson calls a "right calf strain" which could cost Dukes four to six weeks out of an already-injury-shortened '08 campaign. Dukes, or Super Dukes, as he's come to be called, isn't like other players...(when it comes to healing), a fact which Nationals' Manager Manny Acta acknowledges in Mr. Ladson's article:

"'You can't put a time frame on him because he is a quick healer,' Acta said. 'It's very tricky, because the calf is a tough injury. Anytime you push off the leg, you put pressure on it. It takes longer than a lot of people think.'"

Of course...Manny Acta did tell MLB.com's Bill Ladson just the other day, in another article entitled, "Dukes tardy, then hobbled, in busy day", upon Dukes initially injuring his calf:

""It's not a pull or anything, so hopefully he'll be fine [on Sunday],' Acta said. 'We'll see how he his when he shows up [on Sunday], but it was nothing more than a charley horse.'"

So...

Balester America...

The most recent newsstand edition of Baseball America's magazine form of extensive baseball coverage features a column by Washington Nationals' correspondent Lacy Lusk entitled, "Here To Stay" which focuses on DC right-hander Collin Balester's ascent to the Majors this season, where the Nationals intend on giving the 22-year old a long look. 

Balester seems to understand the cautious approach the Nationals took in breaking their franchises' former 4th Round pick, (in '04), up at a convenient point for all parties concerned, telling Ms. Lusk:

"I like that I had to wait a little longer to be able to stay here for a while instead of just getting called up right way and having to go back down...I want to stay here for the rest of my career. I don't just want to be here for this year."

In breaking down Balester's pitching, Ms. Lusk writes:

"Balester's fastball tops out at 94 mph. Balester's secondary pitches may determine just how long he stays this summer and beyond."

An analysis with which Balester himself would seem to agree:

"'My curveball is good, but I've got to start throwing my changeup a lot more, ' Balester said. 'Other than that, I just have to keep battling."

Pick up the latest issue of Baseball America's newsstand edition, Lacy Lusk's article alone is worth the price...and...How else are you going to find out about Nationals' prospect and Canadian Olympian Matt Rogelstad?

3:05 pm EST start for Game One, with the second to follow shortly after the conclusion of the opener. OK so it's officially Bergmann vs Francis...Perez vs Jimenez...Nationals vs Rockies. .268 Team BA for Colorado (3rd in the NL) vs .244 AVG for DC (16th of, uh 16)...Who's Watching The Nationals? The Double-Header? Who's Watching the Nationals? The Double-Header...

 

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(ed. note - "Sorry for all pitcher confusion."

I was up against a deadline. Or maybe i’d call it a sleep-line…I couldn’t wait up long enough for the pitching matchups…

"The only verdict is vengeance; a vendetta, held as a votive, not in vain, for the value and veracity of such shall one day vindicate the vigilant and the virtuous." - V

by e chigliak on Aug 7, 2008 11:08 AM EDT   0 recs

Game 1 Lineup

Boney – 4
The GUZ – 6
Zim – 5
Bluegrass – 9
Lasto – 8
Jesus (the catcher of pitches) – 2
Ronnie – 3
The Incomparable Willie Harris – 7
Jason of Neptune – 1

When in doubt, blame PLoD

by Doghouse on Aug 7, 2008 2:19 PM EDT   0 recs

The Guzzzz is back!!

"The only verdict is vengeance; a vendetta, held as a votive, not in vain, for the value and veracity of such shall one day vindicate the vigilant and the virtuous." - V

by e chigliak on Aug 7, 2008 2:26 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Stuck at work until 5-ish...

Thank goodness for a doubleheader so I get my daily Nationals-fix!!

"The only verdict is vengeance; a vendetta, held as a votive, not in vain, for the value and veracity of such shall one day vindicate the vigilant and the virtuous." - V

by e chigliak on Aug 7, 2008 2:28 PM EDT   0 recs

XM 185 the game's just getting underway...

I’ve got a feeling that the Bergmann of Neptune…New Jersey is gonna have a good one…

"The only verdict is vengeance; a vendetta, held as a votive, not in vain, for the value and veracity of such shall one day vindicate the vigilant and the virtuous." - V

by e chigliak on Aug 7, 2008 3:02 PM EDT   0 recs

Guzman grounds into a DP, Zim pops out, Francis thru the top o' the first...

"The only verdict is vengeance; a vendetta, held as a votive, not in vain, for the value and veracity of such shall one day vindicate the vigilant and the virtuous." - V

by e chigliak on Aug 7, 2008 3:11 PM EDT   0 recs

Boney makes a nice play for the second out...

...Bergmann will need to have a good run… his run support is 2.05/9IP…

When in doubt, blame PLoD

by Doghouse on Aug 7, 2008 3:15 PM EDT   0 recs

I guess I really took a close look at Bergmann's #'s last night, and thought...

In spite of the record, he’s not having a “bad” season…

"The only verdict is vengeance; a vendetta, held as a votive, not in vain, for the value and veracity of such shall one day vindicate the vigilant and the virtuous." - V

by e chigliak on Aug 7, 2008 3:19 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Bergie gets a 2nd K to end the inning after walking Holliday.

Scoreless after one.

When in doubt, blame PLoD

by Doghouse on Aug 7, 2008 3:17 PM EDT   0 recs

Nats down in order, Kearns fly out, Lasto & Jesus ground out...

Rushing to get out of town? There’s a whole ‘nother game after this one, guys, might as well win one of them.

When in doubt, blame PLoD

by Doghouse on Aug 7, 2008 3:25 PM EDT   0 recs

Atkins get a leadoff single by Zim in the 2nd...

"The only verdict is vengeance; a vendetta, held as a votive, not in vain, for the value and veracity of such shall one day vindicate the vigilant and the virtuous." - V

by e chigliak on Aug 7, 2008 3:28 PM EDT   0 recs

Sounds like Bergmann's bender works in the mile-high air...

"The only verdict is vengeance; a vendetta, held as a votive, not in vain, for the value and veracity of such shall one day vindicate the vigilant and the virtuous." - V

by e chigliak on Aug 7, 2008 3:31 PM EDT   0 recs

A few nervous moments as the pitcher gives one a ride with runners on the corners...

..but Lasto tracks it down, and Bergie escapes (adding a 3rd K along the way). Still scoreless after 2. So far Jason is working a lot harder than Francis, but Ronnie and Thrillie are not to be trifled with in the third!

When in doubt, blame PLoD

by Doghouse on Aug 7, 2008 3:35 PM EDT   0 recs

Alright they're not to be trifled with...

...Next time up…

"The only verdict is vengeance; a vendetta, held as a votive, not in vain, for the value and veracity of such shall one day vindicate the vigilant and the virtuous." - V

by e chigliak on Aug 7, 2008 3:40 PM EDT   0 recs

Meanwhile, Bergie is on a curveball bender (as it were...) ringing up his 4th K for the 1st out.

Leadoff single to Taveras, who’s still dawdling on first after several pitches…

When in doubt, blame PLoD

by Doghouse on Aug 7, 2008 3:43 PM EDT   0 recs

C'mon Bergmann...

Don’t let Hawpe do any two-out damage…?

"The only verdict is vengeance; a vendetta, held as a votive, not in vain, for the value and veracity of such shall one day vindicate the vigilant and the virtuous." - V

by e chigliak on Aug 7, 2008 3:47 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Holliday doesn't QUITE manage to hit it out for out #2

Charlie & Dave commenting that the OF is playing quite deep, making it a fairly easy play for Milledge. I guess the thin air makes you play “no doubles” for the whole game with the way fly balls carry.

When in doubt, blame PLoD

by Doghouse on Aug 7, 2008 3:46 PM EDT   0 recs

I walked a up a mountain outside Denver once...

...and I had to stop every ten steps or so to try and catch my breath…my 2 friends, who were smokers almost didn’t make it… – Your Federalbaseball.com Personal Anecdote of the Day.

"The only verdict is vengeance; a vendetta, held as a votive, not in vain, for the value and veracity of such shall one day vindicate the vigilant and the virtuous." - V

by e chigliak on Aug 7, 2008 3:51 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Bergmann leaves two Rockies stranded with his 3rd scoreless...

"The only verdict is vengeance; a vendetta, held as a votive, not in vain, for the value and veracity of such shall one day vindicate the vigilant and the virtuous." - V

by e chigliak on Aug 7, 2008 3:52 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Bergmann gets out of another runners-on-the-corners-with-two-out jams thanks to Zim...

This game is turning into a tightrope walk… Let’s see if Boney and The GUZ can get to Francis on the second time around.

When in doubt, blame PLoD

by Doghouse on Aug 7, 2008 3:51 PM EDT   0 recs

Zim gets a two-out single after Boney grounds out and Guz flies out deep.

Bluegrass up to do.. something. Yard? I wouldn’t complain.

When in doubt, blame PLoD

by Doghouse on Aug 7, 2008 3:58 PM EDT   0 recs

Flyout to shallow CF instead? Sure.

Francis through 4 scoreless on 52 pitches… He’s cruising. Let’s see if Bergie can settle in, here, and crank out a 1-2-3.

When in doubt, blame PLoD

by Doghouse on Aug 7, 2008 3:59 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Hope this isn't over before I get home, but at least I'm guaranteed 9 more innings tonight!!

Let’s Go Nats Go!

"The only verdict is vengeance; a vendetta, held as a votive, not in vain, for the value and veracity of such shall one day vindicate the vigilant and the virtuous." - V

by e chigliak on Aug 7, 2008 4:01 PM EDT   0 recs

Punching out...

"The only verdict is vengeance; a vendetta, held as a votive, not in vain, for the value and veracity of such shall one day vindicate the vigilant and the virtuous." - V

by e chigliak on Aug 7, 2008 4:01 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Speaking of which, Bergie rings up Tulo to get his 5th K and end the 5th.

Still scoreless, and JBerg finally gets a 1-2-3. Now who’s cruising? It’s Lasto, Jesus, and Ronnie in the 6th. Let’s go Nats go!

When in doubt, blame PLoD

by Doghouse on Aug 7, 2008 4:05 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

LASTO!!!

Hits a bomb over the bleachers in straightaway CF to put the Nats up 1-0!

When in doubt, blame PLoD

by Doghouse on Aug 7, 2008 4:07 PM EDT   0 recs

Er, bomb to straightaway LF, that is.

Maybe we can let Lenny stay until the end of the season.

When in doubt, blame PLoD

by Doghouse on Aug 7, 2008 4:08 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Jesus strikes out.

When in doubt, blame PLoD

by Doghouse on Aug 7, 2008 4:14 PM EDT   0 recs

Belliard singles, Harris hits one deep... TOLMAN WAVES BELLIARD HOME!

And he’s SAFE! Thrillie cruises into 2nd and it’s 2-0 Nats.

When in doubt, blame PLoD

by Doghouse on Aug 7, 2008 4:16 PM EDT   0 recs

BonifaciooOOOOOO!!!

Triples off the wall, scoring Thrillie, and it’s 3-0 Nats!

“How exciting a player is he?” marvels Charlie…

When in doubt, blame PLoD

by Doghouse on Aug 7, 2008 4:18 PM EDT   0 recs

Guz pops out to end the inning, Francis now up to 86 pitches...

..Meanwhile, Bergmann makes a sliding catch on Taveras’ pop-up bunt!

When in doubt, blame PLoD

by Doghouse on Aug 7, 2008 4:22 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Bergie gives up another single, but strands him...

...3-0 Nats through 6, Bergmann up to 78 pitches. Let’s tack some on, Nats! It’s the meaty part of the order coming up: Zim, Kearns, Flores.

When in doubt, blame PLoD

by Doghouse on Aug 7, 2008 4:26 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Zim! (I think that's what the kids call him.)

...Drops a lovely bunt down the third base line for a leadoff single!

When in doubt, blame PLoD

by Doghouse on Aug 7, 2008 4:27 PM EDT   0 recs

LASTO!!

After Kearns FCs Zim, Lasto lines one down the LF line and GONE! 5-0 Nats.

When in doubt, blame PLoD

by Doghouse on Aug 7, 2008 4:32 PM EDT   0 recs

Flores grounds out, but Ronnie hits a double that rolls to the wall

THRILLIE gets the intentionals to bring up Jason of Neptune.

When in doubt, blame PLoD

by Doghouse on Aug 7, 2008 4:36 PM EDT   0 recs

"Jason doesn't know what to do with this kind of run support."

...jokes Dave as he comes to the plate. Poor guy is 0-31 this season…

When in doubt, blame PLoD

by Doghouse on Aug 7, 2008 4:37 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Leadoff double in bottom 6th.. come one, Jason, go as deep as you can, here!

Let the Rockies burn their bullpen for the second half…

When in doubt, blame PLoD

by Doghouse on Aug 7, 2008 4:42 PM EDT   0 recs

Bergman gets two outs (one a grounder moving a runner to third)...

...then a 4-pitch walk to Tulo, bringing Jesus and St. Clair out for a convocation. I mean, conference on the mound.

When in doubt, blame PLoD

by Doghouse on Aug 7, 2008 4:46 PM EDT   0 recs

And ends the inning with his 6th K!

Working out of his… what… fifth serious jam? We’re almost to the other side of the canyon!

When in doubt, blame PLoD

by Doghouse on Aug 7, 2008 4:48 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Bergmann now up around 93 pitches, but it's the top of the order in the 7th.

One more inning? It’s still 5-0, so I say yes—especially if we add one or two.

When in doubt, blame PLoD

by Doghouse on Aug 7, 2008 4:50 PM EDT   0 recs

LASTO!

“Only” hits a soft liner over Tulo’s head, scoring Guz and leaving two on for Jesus (the catcher of pitches). It’s RISP, so he might wake up and hit, here. 6-0 Nats.

When in doubt, blame PLoD

by Doghouse on Aug 7, 2008 4:56 PM EDT   0 recs

And up to an even 100 with a third fly out... 6-0 Nats after 7.

Okay, it’s Ronnie, Thrillie, then they have to PH for Bergmann (or do they? If there are two out, does Manny say, ‘Screw it’ and let Bergmann hit so he can pitch the 8th?).

When in doubt, blame PLoD

by Doghouse on Aug 7, 2008 5:11 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

And Bergmann hits for himself, striking out to end the inning....

...will he make through the bottom of the inning?

When in doubt, blame PLoD

by Doghouse on Aug 7, 2008 5:12 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Holliday leads off home 8th with a gopher ball... 6-1 Nats...

Okay, Bergie.. aw, no chance to settle down.. Manny comes out to make the change.

When in doubt, blame PLoD

by Doghouse on Aug 7, 2008 5:16 PM EDT   0 recs

It's Shell to finish it off.

When in doubt, blame PLoD

by Doghouse on Aug 7, 2008 5:17 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Wow a shutout into the 8th! Did I miss Bergmann's best outing?

"The only verdict is vengeance; a vendetta, held as a votive, not in vain, for the value and veracity of such shall one day vindicate the vigilant and the virtuous." - V

by e chigliak on Aug 7, 2008 5:21 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Looked a lot like Lannan's outing from Tuesday...

Except Shell isn’t disintegrating

When in doubt, blame PLoD

by Doghouse on Aug 7, 2008 5:23 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Might be Sa-ool and Shell holding and setting up in the future.

Poor Ayayala

"The only verdict is vengeance; a vendetta, held as a votive, not in vain, for the value and veracity of such shall one day vindicate the vigilant and the virtuous." - V

by e chigliak on Aug 7, 2008 5:26 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

6-1? The New Nationals are back!!

"The only verdict is vengeance; a vendetta, held as a votive, not in vain, for the value and veracity of such shall one day vindicate the vigilant and the virtuous." - V

by e chigliak on Aug 7, 2008 5:19 PM EDT   0 recs

Bring Shell bad out? I'm guessing...

"The only verdict is vengeance; a vendetta, held as a votive, not in vain, for the value and veracity of such shall one day vindicate the vigilant and the virtuous." - V

by e chigliak on Aug 7, 2008 5:30 PM EDT   0 recs

No, iPhone! I wanted to say "back out" not "bad out..."

"The only verdict is vengeance; a vendetta, held as a votive, not in vain, for the value and veracity of such shall one day vindicate the vigilant and the virtuous." - V

by e chigliak on Aug 7, 2008 5:31 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Tulo singles to start the 9th...

"The only verdict is vengeance; a vendetta, held as a votive, not in vain, for the value and veracity of such shall one day vindicate the vigilant and the virtuous." - V

by e chigliak on Aug 7, 2008 5:34 PM EDT   0 recs

Torrealba hits a 2-run blast...6-3 Nationals.

Han-Ra-Han!! Han-Ra-Han!!

"The only verdict is vengeance; a vendetta, held as a votive, not in vain, for the value and veracity of such shall one day vindicate the vigilant and the virtuous." - V

by e chigliak on Aug 7, 2008 5:35 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

I'm going back to work.

I’m bad luck.

"The only verdict is vengeance; a vendetta, held as a votive, not in vain, for the value and veracity of such shall one day vindicate the vigilant and the virtuous." - V

by e chigliak on Aug 7, 2008 5:36 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Hanrahan vs Sullivan...

Single…

"The only verdict is vengeance; a vendetta, held as a votive, not in vain, for the value and veracity of such shall one day vindicate the vigilant and the virtuous." - V

by e chigliak on Aug 7, 2008 5:37 PM EDT   0 recs

No, no, this is a nightmare!

Settle down, Hanny, this would be a good place to double ‘em up…

When in doubt, blame PLoD

by Doghouse on Aug 7, 2008 5:38 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Especially with Holliday looming...

Fly ball out from Smith…1

"The only verdict is vengeance; a vendetta, held as a votive, not in vain, for the value and veracity of such shall one day vindicate the vigilant and the virtuous." - V

by e chigliak on Aug 7, 2008 5:40 PM EDT   0 recs

Line out to Kearns...2!

"The only verdict is vengeance; a vendetta, held as a votive, not in vain, for the value and veracity of such shall one day vindicate the vigilant and the virtuous." - V

by e chigliak on Aug 7, 2008 5:40 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Hanrahan vs Holliday

Pop fly to Guzman…1,2,3 Nationals win.

"The only verdict is vengeance; a vendetta, held as a votive, not in vain, for the value and veracity of such shall one day vindicate the vigilant and the virtuous." - V

by e chigliak on Aug 7, 2008 5:41 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Pop to the GUZ!

Hanny GETS IT DONE!

When in doubt, blame PLoD

by Doghouse on Aug 7, 2008 5:42 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Curly-W! I'm running home for game 2!

Let’s go Nats go!

When in doubt, blame PLoD

by Doghouse on Aug 7, 2008 5:42 PM EDT   0 recs