The Washington Nationals Just Can't Win...Phillies 9 Nationals 8.

by Ed Chigliak on Apr 13, 2009 7:34 PM EDT Comment 25 comments

Philadelphia Phillies catcher Chris Coste, right, and Washington Nationals outfielder Adam Dunn watch Dunn's first home run at Nationals Park during the seventh inning of their baseball game on Monday, April 13, 2009 in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

7 months ago: Philadelphia Phillies catcher Chris Coste, right, and Washington Nationals outfielder Adam Dunn watch Dunn's first home run at Nationals Park during the seventh inning of their baseball game on Monday, April 13, 2009 in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

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Philadelphia Phillies at Washington Nationals. Game 7 of 162.

Quick Recap - The Washington Nationals just can't win. DC starter Daniel Cabrera wasn't the disaster everyone expected, the DC Faithful turned out after all, and the Nationals were able to stay in it until the seventh inning when Saul "Sa-ool" Rivera hit two batters in front of Ryan Howard and then served up a 3-run blast to the Philly slugger, but even then, Ryan Zimmerman's 2-run ninth inning HR would have been enough to tie it if Adam Dunn hadn't lazily played a single to left from Eric Bruntlett into a double in the eighth, putting the eventual winning run in scoring position, and allowing two sacs to score Bruntlett from third.

(ed. note - "The Walter Johnson 'Matrix' Statue.")

The DC Home Opener...

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I took the Metro to today's game, arriving just after the gates opened to find Nationals Park already half full in spite of reports that said the Washington Nationals might be opening the season in front of an empty house. The DC Faithful did turn out, and the Philly fans that Washington team President Stan Kasten invited were for the most part respectful guests in the Nationals' home...(ed. note - "I didn't even hear one Philly-centric chant.")

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Unfortunately for the Washington Nationals, the Phillies themselves weren't nearly as easy to deal with as their fans, as they lit into the Nationals' pitching to the tune of 10 hits and 9 runs. The Nationals nearly matched the Phils' offensive output, but Washington's pitching faltered again, with starter Daniel Cabrera and reliever Saul "Sa-ool" Rivera allowing 4 runs apiece, though only one of Cabrera's was an earned run.

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(ed. note - "The Frank Howard 'Matrix' Statue.")

The crowd surrounding me where I sat about 30 rows behind the visiting team's dugout had little patience for Daniel Cabrera's control issues, sighing en masse at times, and even offering "Bronx cheers" when the 6'7'', 230 lb right-hander would occasionally locate the zone. But it was the Nationals' defense, not their starter, who let the DC Faithful down while Cabrera was on the mound.

After striking out Ryan Howard to start the second, Cabrera gave up a single to Jayson Werth and got an infield grounder out of Raul Ibanez that an error by Anderson Hernandez turned into a hit. Cabrera, with runners on, completely fell apart, walking the bases loaded, walking in a run and allowing a sac fly from the Phils' starter Jamie Moyer for an early 2-0 Philly lead.

(ed. note - "The Josh Gibson 'Matrix' Statue.")

A 2-2 fastball to Shane Victorino that left the yard in a hurry in the third could be hung on Cabrera, but in the fourth, an error by slow-footed left fielder Adam Dunn turned a Raul Ibanez single in to a double, and two-outs later Ibanez scored from third after a sac by the pitcher and a double by Jimmy Rollins brought him around to make it 4-2 Philadelphia.

Cabrera was out after 5.0 wild IP, in which he allowed 6 hits, 4 runs, (1 earned), a double, a HR and 2 walks, while striking out 2, and throwing 94 pitches in 5 frames, only 55 for strikes. The Nationals pulled within one after Eljiah Dukes launched a one-handed line drive home run to left to make it 5-4 Philly after the five.

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Julian Tavarez and Mike Hinckley combined for a scoreless sixth, but Saul Rivera started the seventh by hitting two batters and followed up with hanging sliders to Ryan Howard and Raul Ibanez, resulting in Howard's 3-run blast, Ibanez's solo shot, and an 8-4 Philly lead.

The Nationals add two in the seventh on an Adam Dunn dinger, but the Phillies get one right back in the eighth when Dunn lazily plays a single by pinch hitter Eric Bruntlett into a double, allowing a ground out and a sac fly to score Bruntlett from third for what would eventually be the decisive run. Ryan Zimmerman knocked in the only runners on base when he came up in the ninth with a long fly ball to center, but Dunn and Elijah Dukes came up empty striking out chasing Brad Lidge's junk and Nick Johnson rolled over more of the same for a weak grounder to first and the Nationals' seventh straight loss...

Line of the Day: The Fan sitting next to me in Section 116, who sang along to "Take Me Out To The Ballgame", but inserted the line, "Buy me some PITCHERS and Cracker Jacks..." Pretty much sums it up...

(ed. note - "Working on the post game, have pics from Opening Day and a Game Report up shortly.")

Bad News...Cristian Guzman leaves the game with an injury.

But the real bad news of the day...Phillies announcer Harry Kalas passes away at Nationals Park.

Phillies win, 9-8 final.

Nationals now 0-7.

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For the general baseball fan

The game was actually entertaining and fun. I was very happy to see such a high turnout. Philly fans represented themselves really well. I saw one guy get tossed for being drunk.

2nd baseman (Hernandez?) for the Nats was absolutely horrible.

Positive I took from the game – The Nats have bats.
Negative I took from the game – The Nats have zero pitching. NL version of Texas Rangers.

" WHEN'S THE LAST TIME YOU'VE WITNESSED A GRAND HANDSHAKE PARADE? "

by LOUtheMETandNATSfan on Apr 13, 2009 7:47 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

'cept we don't have an A-Rod to blame it on...just a Bowden...

Vivian Jaffe: "Have you ever transcended space and time?"
Albert Markovski: "Yes. No. Uh, time, not space... No, I don't know what you're talking about."

by Ed Chigliak on Apr 13, 2009 7:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Bowden, uuuurrrggghh!!! Boooowwah ddddde ahhhhhhnnnnn = Boo

by Berndaddy on Apr 14, 2009 11:15 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hernandez is a lot better than yesterday box score indicates

With the injuries of Harris and Belliard they had to bring him up early from his rehab stint at Syracuse. He was due to play three more games there. I think he’ll be fine next week. He’s a lot better defender than you saw yesterday…much better.

by Berndaddy on Apr 14, 2009 11:20 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Chicks dig the long ball....

Unfortunately so do other teams against our pitching

by Bryqan on Apr 13, 2009 8:00 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

0-3 to the Braves and Fish ... time to stop the trend

I’m a Braves’ Fan as are most who visit my Blog, but it’s the grand old game that I love more than any team. Today’s loss by the Nats wasn’t unexpected but it was a bummer! All the teams in the division are flawed and that includes the Phils … make it two out of three, we did!

Ours isn’t a baseball blog though three of its ongoing features are devoted to it … and from where I sit, the Nats are far better than credited … cudda swept the series against us. methinks, and certainly shudda won the middle game!

I followed the old Senators, as Chattanooga was home during the fifties and sixties, and am glad baseball is back in Capital City. You know your team better than I, but look at what you’ve got … they’re capable of providing you with some exciting very moments, if not compete for the division prize.

The game is played above the neck … it’s always a concern, especially when folks are pressing and trying to do too much individually … we’ve seen that in Atlanta … for 14 straight years on the plus side … and now on the other. I think that’s more important than than the talent differentials in determining who wins and who loses … and starting 0-4 may have had something to do with going 0-5 and being 0-6. Thirty two left on base during the series is a lot … but it means that more than 32 got on … that’s a lot too.

What seem to be position player redundancies among the 25 concern me more than any talent deficiencies … perhaps my imagination …

Hope you get it turned around soon … beat the Phillies , the Mets, and get some payback against against the Fish !

by Methinks on Apr 13, 2009 8:29 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Darn good analysis.

I think the consensus around here is that the Nats have more than enough capability from 2-6 with the bats. Cabrera didn’t pitch that well today but his defense really didn’t help out much either (yes, we’re talking to you Hernandez).

Milledge is going to have to start hitting. He had some really good plays in the outfield tonight but at the same time he makes those plays look tougher than they have to be. When he’s running to catch a ball his body language is screaming: “Oh $hit! Here it comes!” I’d like to watch some video of how he reacts to balls right off the bat.

I really want the Nats fans to have something to look forward to. The NL East has 4 teams that are good and yes they’ve got their faults, but I think they are the most competitive division in the National League. It would be even better if there were 5 very good teams in the division.

" WHEN'S THE LAST TIME YOU'VE WITNESSED A GRAND HANDSHAKE PARADE? "

by LOUtheMETandNATSfan on Apr 13, 2009 9:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Harry "The K!"

One of our features is dedicated to recently departed friends and notables from all walks of life. Harry “The K!” Kalas died today … a truly great loss from which we will not soon recover. We, along with all baseball fans, mourn his passing and he will be featured in our May update of our “Gone – Not Forgotten” Feature.

Harry was a great broadcaster … delighting millions with his “Outta here!”; his stories and anecdotes, in addition to “calling” a great game. We would like to include as many as possible in our “Baseball’s Magic Moments” Feature. It’s a repository for such things so that they might be preserved and enjoyed by all … now, and in the future.

If you have stores about Mr. Kalas, or remember some of the countless stories he’s told … funny, interesting stories that he told so well … we hope you’ll share them with us so that they might be included. My email and blog URL is included in my profile.

We all have our memories … Harry may have announced Philly games but he belonged to thw world … remember him calling the “Puppy Bowls” ? … what a great voice!

Thanks!

by Methinks on Apr 14, 2009 12:01 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Sorry I missed you, Ed

I was sporting my Green Bay hat a section to the left of you. It was a great place to enjoy the game from.

by NotASenator on Apr 14, 2009 12:31 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Is it me...

…or does it seem that Manny is making some bad bullpen choices. Also, our defense sucks (we knew Dunn would be bad, but the rest?)…

At least we can hit. It may take 10 runs to win our first game.

I don’t know if Manny was Bowden’s guy or what, but I had high hopes for him and it’s almost time to name a fall guy. I don’t think he was ready to be a manager. He’s calm. He reads positive books. He never argues. If this sloppy defense and absolutely horrible pitching continues, Manny and/or Randy will have to go. This team has lost 16 of its last 17 games including 11 in a row.

There is a lot of talent on this team, but it’s not being shown in the games when it counts. Unfortunately, that’s on Manny.

Rant finished. Sorry but I had to get it out.

by ROSCOEtheNATSfan on Apr 14, 2009 8:15 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

The move I'm stuck on is leaving Rivera in after he hit the first two batters he faced in the 7th...

Howard’s Career Splits – .305 vs RHP, .232 vs LHP…and you have Ledezma and Beimel on the mound in what was, before Howard’s blast, a 4-4 tie…but Manny can’t “make” Daniel Cabrera throw strikes, can’t make Anderson Hernandez avoid errors, and he’s stuck with a poorly assembled roster courtesy of the Former Nationals’ GM…but I agree, something has to give here…barring a 7-game win streak turnaround…

Vivian Jaffe: "Have you ever transcended space and time?"
Albert Markovski: "Yes. No. Uh, time, not space... No, I don't know what you're talking about."

by Ed Chigliak on Apr 14, 2009 9:54 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

...and by "Ledezma and Beimel on the mound" I of course mean, "Ledezma and Beimel avaiable"...

Vivian Jaffe: "Have you ever transcended space and time?"
Albert Markovski: "Yes. No. Uh, time, not space... No, I don't know what you're talking about."

by Ed Chigliak on Apr 14, 2009 9:55 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Manny can change the way they take infield. You saw it from the loft...

Slow two hoppers to all the infielders. They need to hit harder balls in infield practice. More bad hops. Challenge the players. Out of Offense, Defense and Pitching…2 out of 3 have been terrible so far this year. We can’t fix the pitching, but we can fix the defense. WIth a clean defensive game yesterday, we overcome the pitching and win.

by ROSCOEtheNATSfan on Apr 14, 2009 10:17 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I can kind of understand leaving Rivera out there.

Ledezma pitched on Sunday, and overall it’s not like he’s been setting the world on fire. He’s given up at least a run in all of his appearances so far.

Beimel’s a little harder to justify, since he was fresher and has pitched better. He also has a decent track record against right-handers, so he could’ve been left in after Howard’s at-bat.

Also those statues are weird.

Now writing for Ridiculous Upside, where we knew who Mike Taylor was before you did.

by Jon L on Apr 14, 2009 11:32 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ledezma is awful.

Sorry :(

I want to thank the good Lord for making me a Philip Rivers fan.

by Sam (sdsuaztec4) on Apr 14, 2009 12:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I like what Boswell wrote today.

I’m down with the idea of sending Milledge down to AAA if nothing else to wake him up. It left me breathless thinking he’s not putting in the extra work needed to polish his crappy center field play…

Send him down and keep Dukes at CF…

by Berndaddy on Apr 14, 2009 11:25 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

First home opener I had ever been to.
Friends kept buying me beer.
Great fans around me. (Still hate Philly fans though.)
Getting there by car and to my secret parking spot wasn’t hard at all.
Got a free ball cap after the game. Thanks Chris!
Still made it home in time to catch the Mets home opener on t.v. (Don’t worry Nats fans. The Mets are having defensive problems of their own.)

Hey “E”, how’d you take that last picture of the statue? Really cool how it’s framed.

" WHEN'S THE LAST TIME YOU'VE WITNESSED A GRAND HANDSHAKE PARADE? "

by LOUtheMETandNATSfan on Apr 14, 2009 11:57 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

That's courtesy of iphoto...check your email, sir...

Vivian Jaffe: "Have you ever transcended space and time?"
Albert Markovski: "Yes. No. Uh, time, not space... No, I don't know what you're talking about."

by Ed Chigliak on Apr 14, 2009 12:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs