Spring Training - Game Thread: Washington Nationals vs New York Mets.

by Patrick Reddington on Mar 6, 2010 12:30 PM EST

• Space Coast Stadium in sunny Viera, Florida will be the scene of the first meeting of the 2010 campaign between the Washington Nationals and the (cursed) New York Mets this afternoon at 1:05 pm EST. The Nationals are looking for their first W of the Spring (though I know they don't count) in this afternoon's game, and they're sending left-hander John Lannan to the mound to get things done against the Mets' right-hander Mike Pelfrey. Lannan was named the Opening Day starter earlier this weekend, (though Washington Post writer Adam Kilgore tweeted this morning that the decision on the 4/5 starter is, "not finalized."), after the 25-year-old right-hander went (9-13) in 2009 with a 3.88 ERA (108 ERA+, 4.70 FIP) and a 1.35 WHIP over 33 starts and 206.1 IP in which he walked 68 (2.97 BB/9) and struck out 89 (3.88 K/9). The Mets' Mike Pelfrey's looking to rebound from a rough (10-12) '09 campaign during which the (now)-26-year-old right-hander posted a 5.03 ERA (82 ERA+, 4.39 FIP) with 66 walks (3.2 BB/9), 107 K's (5.2 K/9) and a 1.51 WHIP in 31 GS and 184.1 IP.

DC Starting Lineup...After the JUMP.

• DC Starting Lineup...

Nyjer Morgan - CF
Cristian Guzman - DH
Ryan Zimmerman - 3B
Adam Dunn - 1B
Mike Morse - RF
Willie Harris - LF
Wil Nieves - C
Alberto Gonzalez - SS
Eric Bruntlett - 2B
John Lannan - LHP

• NOTES: SS's - Cristian Guzman gets his first start of the Spring this afternoon after remaining at home for the birth of his baby girl. The soon-to-be 32-year-old infielder is coming off arthroscopic surgery on his shoulder this winter, after an '09 season which saw the 10-year-veteran hit .284/.306/.390 in 135 games and 531 AB's in which he collected 24 doubles, 7 triples, 6 HR's and 55 RBI's. Asked by MLB.com's Bill Ladson in an article entitled, "Q&A with Mike Rizzo", DC GM Mike Rizzo listed Guzman's ability to return to the field as an everyday SS as one of his biggest concerns about the upcoming season. NY SS Jose Reyes, who was limited to just 36 games played last season, is out of the lineup again after doctors reportedly discovered that the 26-year-old infielder had a hyperactive thyroid and sent him back to NY.

• AL - After Lannan - Washington Post writer Adam Kilgore reported this morning in an article entitled, "Today's Lineup", that after the Nationals' Opening Day starter gets in his two innings of work, it will be pitchers Shawn Estes, Aaron Thompson, Tyler Walker, Atahualpa Severino, Andrew Kown and Sean Burnett trying to provide the Nationals with their first positive signs out of the bullpen this Spring. Kown? Andrew Kown, an '04 5th Round pick by the Detroit Tigers, is a 27-year-old, 6'7'' right-hander who pitched at all three levels of the Nationals' system last season, posting a combined (9-4) record with a 3.86 ERA in 9 starts, 29 relief appearances and 100.1 IP in which the former Georgia Tech starter walked 25 (2.2 BB/9), K'd 58 (5.2 K/9) and put up a 1.22 WHIP.

• Game Time: 1:05 pm EST. Who's Listening to the Nationals?

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Meet the Mets! Meet the Mets...

Bo seriously I have no idea who half the Mets are…

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 Mar 6, 2010 1:04 PM EST via mobile reply actions

Did you know the Nationals started the season with 7 losses then...

…ended the seaso….ahhhh…baseball’s back!!!

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 Mar 6, 2010 1:07 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Fernando Martinez starts the Mets off with a one-out single off John Lannan...

Who hits the next batter, Cabrera to set Mike Jacobs up with two baserunners…

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 Mar 6, 2010 1:09 PM EST via mobile reply actions

Based loaded after Lannan walks Jacob...Hessman up with 1-out...bases loaded...

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 Mar 6, 2010 1:12 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Time for that DP grounder...

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 Mar 6, 2010 1:12 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Sac fly that Thrillie Harris tracks down, 1-0 NY.

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 Mar 6, 2010 1:13 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Ike Davis doubles to right center, 2-0 NY.

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 Mar 6, 2010 1:15 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Guzman and Zimmerman reach on weak grounders..

And the Big Donkey singles in a run, 2-1 Mets with Morse up…

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 Mar 6, 2010 1:25 PM EST via mobile reply actions

Morse grounds to first, Dunn gets doubled-up...

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 Mar 6, 2010 1:26 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

2 K's and a groundoutvfor Lannan in a much calmer second...2-1 NY.

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 Mar 6, 2010 1:32 PM EST via mobile reply actions

Wil "Who" Nieves starts the Nats' second at the plate...

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 Mar 6, 2010 1:34 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Leadoff single for Nieves...The General's up with one on...

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 Mar 6, 2010 1:35 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Alberto Gonzalez singles and Bruntlett goes YARD!!!

3-run blast, 4-2 Nationals…

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 Mar 6, 2010 1:39 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Cristian Guzman bounces a liner off Pelfrey...

Zimmerman up with one on…

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 Mar 6, 2010 1:41 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Zimmerman reaches on a misplay by the Mets...

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 Mar 6, 2010 1:42 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Checking in...

MLB.tv only has gameday audio… I thought I would be able to watch, because it’s the Mets! Come on, MLB!

by John Quinn on Mar 6, 2010 1:55 PM EST reply actions

Think Tuesday's Strasburg start is one of the first games on MLBtv...

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 Mar 6, 2010 1:57 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

That's a shame... why do the Yankees always get to be on TV :(

by John Quinn on Mar 6, 2010 1:59 PM EST up reply actions

Having your own station helps...

I think every Yanks spring game’s been in…

ANGELOS!!!

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 Mar 6, 2010 2:00 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

2 on, 2 out for Mets' Henry Blanco in the third...

Shawn Estes on the mound for Washington.

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 Mar 6, 2010 1:56 PM EST via mobile reply actions

Blanco ties it at 4-4 with an RBI single off Estes...

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 Mar 6, 2010 1:59 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Estes gives up 2 runs continuing the great bullpen work by the Nats so far...

#sarcasm

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 Mar 6, 2010 2:03 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

I forgot how much I hate listening to baseball on the radio...

What did you say was the best gamecenter thing to use? Or was that an iPhone app?

by John Quinn on Mar 6, 2010 2:04 PM EST up reply actions

I did say the iPhone app, but even that's off today...

Stuck in the 2nd inning…

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 Mar 6, 2010 2:06 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Hanging out here now: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/boxscore.jsp?gid=2010_03_06_nynmlb_wasmlb_1

Not good to see Lannan with 2 ERs… but at least it’s March, right?

by John Quinn on Mar 6, 2010 2:09 PM EST up reply actions

Pelfrey's back out for a third inning of work...

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 Mar 6, 2010 2:05 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Kown pitching for the Nats now...Ruben Tejada beats out an infield single...

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 Mar 6, 2010 2:08 PM EST via mobile reply actions

Mets announcers saying it's Wilkie...PA announcer said Kown...

Ahh Spring Training…

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 Mar 6, 2010 2:10 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Wait wait... are you down there now?

by John Quinn on Mar 6, 2010 2:11 PM EST up reply actions

No, listening on NY radio, just heard the PA...

Plans for trip on hold with familial issues…have tix for Opening Day and the exh against Boston for sure, ST plans on hold…Booo!!!

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 Mar 6, 2010 2:13 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

2 on, 1 out after Fernnando Martinez's single...

Wilkie vs Holbert Cabrera…

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 Mar 6, 2010 2:14 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Ball in the dirt from Wilkie and Nieves fires to first...

And by Dunn…run scores, 5-4 Mets. Sounds like Nieves made a bad throw…Met announcers said any other 1B would’ve had it…

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 Mar 6, 2010 2:17 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Ahh, boo!

I got tickets for Opening Day, couldn’t really justify the expense for the Red Sox game, and I didn’t want to go to lil’ Fenway anyway.

by John Quinn on Mar 6, 2010 2:17 PM EST up reply actions

Got Sox tix on off chance Nats throw Strasburg there...

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 Mar 6, 2010 2:19 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Ooh, not a bad thought.

I’m really close to buying one of those five game plans to see Strasburg pitch (I’m 95% confident he’ll open Potomac’s season) but they aren’t cheap… I’m also considering waiting until April 1 when single game tickets go on sale and just taking my chances.

by John Quinn on Mar 6, 2010 2:22 PM EST up reply actions

I looked at those, box office never open when I call...

Thought I’d go to one game and give the rest away…

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 Mar 6, 2010 2:24 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

masnNATS confirms it's Wilkie...

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 Mar 6, 2010 2:11 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Alberto Gonzalez fields, steps on second, throws to first, inning-ending DP!

Guzman and Des-who?

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 Mar 6, 2010 2:22 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Eddie Kunz gets two quick outs for NY...

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 Mar 6, 2010 2:27 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Nyjer Morgan grounds to short, 5-4 Mets after four...

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 Mar 6, 2010 2:28 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Big Donkey up in the 5th...

Dunn K’s…

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 Mar 6, 2010 2:40 PM EST via mobile reply actions

Aaron "I was traded for Nick Johnson" Thompson...

Throws a scoreless 5th, back in the 6th.

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 Mar 6, 2010 2:43 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

A. Thompson through two scoreless, and Morse ties it at 5-5 with a solo dinger!!!

Morse!!

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 Mar 6, 2010 2:51 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

offense won't be a problem

by rbolt on Mar 6, 2010 3:01 PM EST reply actions

All aboot finding pitchers who can throw strikes...

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 Mar 6, 2010 3:02 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Bases loaded two down for Cristian Guzman in the 6th...

Eric Niesen replaced by Sean Green…

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 Mar 6, 2010 3:01 PM EST via mobile reply actions

The Guzzzzzzzzz! Infield single scores go-ahead run, 6-5 Nats...

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 Mar 6, 2010 3:02 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Tyler Walker gives up 2 HR's, strikes out 2, Mets back in lead...

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 Mar 6, 2010 3:15 PM EST via mobile reply actions

Walker's given up 6 hits, 5 ER...

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 Mar 6, 2010 3:19 PM EST via mobile reply actions

I just had a heart attack...

I saw the headline “Guzman has tear in throwing shoulder” on Google News… turns out, they’re talking about Angel Guzman, and our Guzman is okay.

Phew.

by John Quinn on Mar 6, 2010 3:25 PM EST up reply actions

Heh, Guzman already had his operation...

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 Mar 6, 2010 3:27 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Yeah, but I was concerned something had happened in this game and I missed it somehow...

Although that would have been a pretty quick diagnosis.

by John Quinn on Mar 6, 2010 3:28 PM EST up reply actions

Only thing torn today is Nats' pitching...10-6 Mets...

Strasburg on CBS News tonight @ 6:30 pm EST…

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 Mar 6, 2010 3:39 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Good thing Nationals added all that bullpen help...

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 Mar 6, 2010 3:26 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Nats down in order in eighth...still down 10-6...

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 Mar 6, 2010 3:47 PM EST via mobile reply actions

Hello!!! Has it cooking...

by Berndaddy on Mar 6, 2010 3:56 PM EST up reply actions

The Mets are cooking the Nats' pitching...

My lord, what’s wrong with this bullpen?

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 Mar 6, 2010 4:01 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Mets score two more in 9th...12-6 NY...

0-4 coming up, good thing these don’t count..,

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 Mar 6, 2010 3:57 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Now Sean Burnett loads the bases...

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 Mar 6, 2010 4:00 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Burnett out...Who's left?

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 Mar 6, 2010 4:05 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Andrew Kown comes on to get the final out...14-6 NY...

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 Mar 6, 2010 4:09 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Sad... I hope it's better next week..

by Berndaddy on Mar 6, 2010 4:13 PM EST up reply actions

It is sad, Derek Norris makes final out...

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 Mar 6, 2010 4:16 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Now, ... where did I put that panic button again...?

All this “veteran presence” in the Nats’ dugout doesn’t seem to be helping.

by RobBobS on Mar 6, 2010 4:32 PM EST reply actions

This is their first time out for the most part. No need to panic.

Every time I see the word PANIC it reminds me of Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy…Oh mister Adams look at what you’ve done to me.

by Berndaddy on Mar 6, 2010 4:35 PM EST up reply actions

So, DON'T PANIC

per Mr.Adams

by Berndaddy on Mar 6, 2010 4:36 PM EST up reply actions

Yes, but Douglas Adams never had to watch the Nationals' pitching staff

I think I’d rather hear some nice Vogon love poem before listening to the Nats’ staff give up another 10-spot.

by RobBobS on Mar 6, 2010 6:46 PM EST up reply actions

No panic here

If this doesn’t reassure you, I dont know what will
In 2008, the Phils finished with the 3rd to worst spring record and won the series

Not that this has anything to do with anything, but the Yankees had the best Spring record last year.
( But it is an even year.)
Go NATS!!!!!

"We're starting to get into Plush mode," Nyjer Morgan said

by ryzim22 on Mar 6, 2010 6:36 PM EST reply actions

by Patrick Reddington on Mar 6, 2010 7:20 PM EST up reply actions

Kown

According to the boxscore, had a good showing.

Why not us? Why not now?

by Expos4 on Mar 6, 2010 9:39 PM EST reply actions

Aaron Thompson stood out on the radio...

Tomorrow’s game is on MLB.tv and ch. 11 in NY/NJ….so we can get a look-see at what’s going on…

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 Mar 6, 2010 9:48 PM EST up reply actions