Nationals News: One Away from 100 Edition

by John Quinn on Sep 23, 2009 9:45 AM EDT

If Zach Greinke doesn't get the AL Cy Young, I don't know what I'll do. He's been incredible this season, leading the majors with a 2.08 ERA -- pitching for the Royals.

Nationals News

When Livan Hernandez is good, he's good, but when he's bad, he's really bad.

The Nationals did not play "good baseball" yesterday.

Ian Desmond has started the past four of his games at four different positions, getting the start at second last night. Despite this, Jim Riggleman and Mike Rizzo swear they see him as a future shortstop.

After yesterday's games, there are only four teams left in the race for Bryce Harper, and the Nationals have a healthy 5.5 game lead.

Starter Ross Detwiler is hoping for his first win of his career tonight, while the Dodgers are hoping to clinch a playoff spot. I think that about sums up the seasons for both teams.

The Nationals' 2-14 defeat last night earned them their 99th loss, and their largest margin of defeat (12 runs) all season.

Non-Nationals News

If the stars align and a one-game tiebreaker is required between the Tigers and the Twins on Monday, October 6, the NFL has said it will not move the Monday Night Football game currently scheduled for that night.

Freshly confirmed Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor will throw out a ceremonial first pitch for the Yankees.

Strikeout king Mark Reynolds broke his own major league record with his 205th strikeout of the season.

The Pirates are now in the midst of their worst losing stretch since 1985. Thankfully, the Nationals have been playing just as poorly, so Bryce Harper is not in danger.

Former National Ronnie Belliard has been on fire since arriving in Los Angeles, essentially supplanting Orlando Hudson as the team's starting second baseman.

The Yankees clinched their spot in the playoffs.

Tommy Lasorda's portrait has been installed at the National Portrait Gallery.

Major League Baseball is opening a development center in China in hopes of expanding global interest in baseball.

Though there had been rumors flying, Curt Schilling has annouced that he won't run for late Senator Kennedy's Senate seat.

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Comments

Me thinks...

The Nats will straighten out the SS/2B issue in spring training. I believe they will tell Guzman to prepare himself in the offseason to play second base.

by RoscoeNats on Sep 23, 2009 11:04 AM EDT reply actions

God I hope so

I actually think if we can ‘solve’ the middle infield issue -the rest of the position players are pretty much sorted. We can focus on pitching and win.

Padilla walked into the Nats' clubhouse for the first time and said, "My God. I'm in heaven."

by Mezza on Sep 23, 2009 7:23 PM EDT up reply actions

Lerners don't have a clue

At this rate the Lerners don’t care about the fans.All they care about is making a profit.
This team will be run just like the redskins.

rae

by robert1954 on Sep 23, 2009 12:30 PM EDT reply actions

What makes you say that?

I’d take any member of the Lerner family over Dan Snyder any day.

by John Quinn on Sep 23, 2009 2:14 PM EDT up reply actions

Mark Lerner is in the group with Leonsis as a minority owner of the Caps and ...

… I think the Leonsis model is more what I see with the Nats. Growning from the draft. The problem I see is that MLB left this farm system in rubbles and re-building it is going to take time. Dan Synder has ruined the Skins with no stategy to build through the draft. He’s gone for the big Free Agent picks that haven’t panned out. He’s let his ego run the show. The Lerner’s are a bit pragmatic and maybe to a fault but not egomaniacs freaks looking for an expensive external source to rub up against like Danny boy. I’ll leave well enough alone bye….

by Berndaddy on Sep 23, 2009 3:00 PM EDT up reply actions

I agree...Danny Snyder is the worst owner in DC.

by RoscoeNats on Sep 23, 2009 3:09 PM EDT up reply actions

Clinton Portis just called out Synder in an interview.

Big stink !!!

by Berndaddy on Sep 23, 2009 3:15 PM EDT up reply actions

That I loved.

by RoscoeNats on Sep 23, 2009 3:20 PM EDT up reply actions

What happened last time we hit 100. Any hope we put up a fight?

by tuck321 on Sep 23, 2009 1:31 PM EDT reply actions

No hope at all...

…to hear them talk, the players are fighting tooth and nail every night. They’re just not talented…

All the talking heads say teams need to be strong up the middle.

CF – out for season
2B – never had one
SS – gimpy/streaky
Pitching – horrific/young/BOWDEN

by RoscoeNats on Sep 23, 2009 1:35 PM EDT up reply actions

That's what really scares me.

If this really is the best they can do, we’ve got at least 4-5 years before playoff contention is possible. I hope they keep saying that because they can’t ever admit that they’ve quit, though they have.

Also, Willie Harris said he didn’t realize that the Nationals were close to 100 losses (and of course, I can’t find the quote now). I don’t know if that’s a good thing or a bad thing, but I’m leaning towards a bad thing — it sounds like they don’t care at this point.

by John Quinn on Sep 23, 2009 2:17 PM EDT up reply actions

Nah we're not that bad

we saw how one guy (PLUSH!) could inject some talent and attitude. We grab the right guy at 2B and SS…and some good pitching…and we’re back in business baby.

Padilla walked into the Nats' clubhouse for the first time and said, "My God. I'm in heaven."

by Mezza on Sep 23, 2009 7:25 PM EDT up reply actions

Check back after game...

…putting together a brief history of DC’s 100-Loss campaigns for tonight….

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 Patrick Reddington on Sep 23, 2009 1:38 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Baltimore and Pittsburgh could actually get to 100 losses to join our suffering. Believe it or not, that would make me feel better. Being the only 100 loss team would ultra-suck.

by RoscoeNats on Sep 23, 2009 2:12 PM EDT reply actions