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Around SBN: Ellenberger vs. Sanchez Heats Up, Hughes Talks Retirement

Adam Dunn's Two Three-Run HR's All The Washington Nationals Need in 6-3 Win Over Los Angeles Dodgers.

Tonight's Top 5: 

5. SHAKE N BAKE!!!: Dodgers' left-hander Clayton Kershaw had control issues early. The 22-year-old starter struck Nationals' leadoff man Justin Maxwell out in the first, then let Ian Desmond on with a one-out single and Ryan Zimmerman on with a one-out walk in front of the Nats' big middle-of-the-order bat, Adam Dunn. Dunn worked the count full against Kershaw and fouled off a fastball before turning on a 92mph heater up and over the plate and sending it soaring out to right for a three-run HR, his 29th, and a 3-0 Nationals' lead after a half. 

4. SHAKE N BAKE!! SHAKE N BAKE!!!: Top of the third. Ian Desmond walks to start the frame. Ryan Zimmerman takes a 2-1 fastball outside to right to put two on in front of the big HR threat. Clayton Kershaw drops a slider across the zone and Dunn lifts it off the low outside corner and deep to right, GONE!!! Dunn's 30th of the year and second 3-run HR of the night off the LA lefty. 6-0 Nationals, all on Dunn's bat. 

3. Dodgers Claim Dunn?: Reports out of San Francisco, citing little more than the latest whispered rumors from around the league, had the LA Dodgers claiming Nats' slugger Adam Dunn on waivers in order to prevent teams ahead of LA in the standings from landing a big middle-of-the-order bat, and if the reports are true, the Dodgers' front office must have been patting themselves on the back last night. Still no word out of the Nationals on a new contract or what exactly their plans are with Adam Dunn, but there should be reports by Monday which clear everything up, since it doesn't appear the Dodgers have any interest in actually trading for the first baseman, if, in fact, the rumors out of northern California are true...

Star-divide

2. "[John] Lannan holds the ball like, 'I've got a secret.'" - Vin Scully: This is the legendary Dodgers' announcer describing the way Nats' lefty John Lannan hunches over and hides the ball before beginning his delivery. Lannan makes a mistake with a first-pitch fastball outside to Dodgers' outfielder Andre Ethier in the fourth and surrenders a two-run blast after having held LA off the board through the first three innings pitched. A one-out walk, passed ball and RBI single make it 6-3, but the Nats' 25-year-old lefty escapes the fourth without further damage and retires six of the next seven batters he faces to finish the sixth with the 6-3 lead in tact. Lannan's Line: 6.0 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 2 K's, 1 HR, 92 pitches, 59 strikes, 8 groundouts and 7 flyouts and his third win of 2010.

1. Flat-Brimmed Closer: The Nats' second 1st Round pick of 2009, Drew Storen, was given his first save opportunity last night, and the former Stanford Cardinal closer converted it into his first Major League save. The 22-year-old right-hander barnstormed the Nationals' system last season, pitching his way from Low-A Hagerstown to Double-A Harrisburg where he started the 2010 campaign alongside his fellow 1st Round pick, Stephen Strasburg, and then beat the Nats' phenom to the Majors after a brief stop in Triple-A Syracuse, making his Major League debut on May 17th...33 games and 35.0 innings pitched into his major league career, Storen finally gets a chance to close a game and does just one thing wrong...He doesn't really make it interesting as DC Closers have in the past. A one-out walk to former Expo and Nat Jamey Carroll is about as interesting as it gets. Working with a fastball that's 93-94 tonight, an 84mph slider and low 80's curve, Storen gets a groundout to third from James Loney, a line drive to Ian Desmond by Casey Blake and a ground ball to first baseman Adam Kennedy by another former National Ronnie Belliard after the one-out walk to Carrol, and Storen records his first MLB save. The next Flat-Brimmed closer has arrived. 

• Miss The Game: The DC Faithful Were Watching...

Num Name - Comments
1 Mevans12 - 190
2 souldrummer - 159
3 Doghouse - 141
4 grizzy - 119
5 OleksiyPecherovsHomeboy - 98
6 Nationalpastime9 - 98
7 ajk9hy - 63
8 RobBobS - 54
9 MissB - 50
10 brook - 34

 

• Final Score: Nats 6, Dodgers 3.

Nationals now 49-61.

• FULL GAME REPORT: 

1 - Clayton Kershaw throws a full-count fastball by Justin Maxwell for the first out of the evening. Ian Desmond reaches on an infield hit that bounces off Kershaw's foot and dies in the grass. Ryan Zimmerman takes a 3-0 pitch for a strike but walks on the 3-1 offering. Adam Dunn works the count full, and takes Kershaw deeeeep to right and GONE!! 3-run HR, 3-0 Nats. Josh Willingham grounds out to second. Michael Morse goes down swinging...Nats' lefty John Lannan gives up a bunt single to Scott Podsednik. Ryan Theriot walks to put two on for Andre Ethier. Fly ball to left center, Podsednik takes third. Matt Kemp grounds to short, Ian Desmond to Alberto Gonzalez to Dunn, double play. 

2 - Pudge Rodriguez grounds out to James Loney. Alberto Gonzalez shoots a single to right with one down. John Lannan fouls off a two-strike bunt attempt. Justin Maxwell K's swinging through a 2-2 fastball from Kershaw. 3-0 Nats in the second...James Loney almost gets a single through second, not with the General there. Gonzalez throws out Casy Blake, two down. Jamey Carroll grounds out to third, Zim throws to first. 

3 - Ian Desmond walks to start the Nats' third. Ryan Zimmerman sends a low liner to right, two on for Dunn. Adam Dunn does it again!!! Three-run HR to right, 6-0 Nats. Josh Willingham goes down swinging. Michael Morse flies out to right. Pudge Rodriguez grounds to second to end Washington's third...Brad Ausmus strikes out when he fouls out into the catcher's mitt. Kershaw grounds out to first. Lannan gets Podsednik swinging. 

4 - Alberto Gonzalez grounds out to third to start the fourth. John Lannan K's swinging. Kershaw vs Justin Maxwell, swinging K to end the Nats' fourth...Ryan Theriot hits an opposite field single to right field off John Lannan. Andre Ethier takes advantage of his second AB with a runner on, hitting a HR to right for a two-run blast, 6-2 Nats. Matt Kemp flies out to Maxwell in center. Lannan issues a one-out walk to James Loney. Casey Blake up and he singles to left to score Loney ahead of the throw in from Willingham and then Desmond, 6-3 Nats. Jamey Carroll lines out to Zimmerman at third. Brad Ausmus grounds to third, Zim barehands and throws him out. 

5 - Ian Desmond grounds back to Kershaw on the hill. Ryan Zimmerman flies out to Podsednik in left. Dunn K's swinging, Kershaw through five...Kershaw grounds out to Dunn, one down. Scott Podsednik flies out to center and Maxwell. Ryan Theriot hits a one-out single to center. Andre Ethier flies out to center. 

6 - Josh Willingham singles off Kershaw in the top of the sixth. Michael Morse singles to center. Pudge Rodriguez gets a sac bunt down. Alberto Gonzalez flies out to right, Hammer can't score, so he stays at third. Lannan K's swinging to end the Nats' half of the inning...John Lannan gets Kemp and Loney to both fly out to Maxwell in center. Casey Blake flies out Morse in right. 6-3 Nats after six. 

7 - Kenley Jansen takes over for Clayton Kershaw and walks the first batter he faces. Maxell on. Ian Desmond up when Maxwell steals second. Desi bunts Maxwell over to third. Ryan Zimmerman K's swinging and Dunn gets the intentionals. Josh Willingham grounds into a force at second to end the top of the frame, 6-3 Nats...Tyler Clippard vs Jamey Carroll. Leadoff walk. Brad Ausmus K's swinging for the first out. Sean Burnett vs Garret Anderson. Swinging bunt, Pudge throws to second to cut down Carroll. Scott Podsednik K's swinging to end the seventh. 

8 - Morse grounds out to second base. Pudge singles to center in front of Alberto Gonzalez. Gonzalez flies out to Kemp in left-center. Two down. Willie Harris grounds into a force at second that ends the Nats' eighth...Ryan Theriot pops out to Desmond behind second. Andre Ethier grounds back to Burnett, who tosses to Dunn. Justin Maxwell gets to another fly ball from Kemp, 6-3 Nats after eight.

9 - Justin Maxwell K's swinging to start the Nats' ninth, his 4th K of the game. Ian Desmond singles to left off Ramon Troncoso. Desmond steals second and takes third as Ryan Zimmerman K's swinging. Intentional walk to Adam Dunn, and LA lefty George Sherrill comes on to strike out Adam Kennedy...Drew Storen gets a groundout from James Loney. Casey Blake lines out to short. Tw-out walk to Jamy Carroll. Ronnie Belliard grounds to first, Adam Kennedy in for Dunn and he steps on first. Nats win, 6-3 final. 

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J-Max's catch

was #4 on ESPN’s Top Plays. Check it out if you missed the game

by Mevans12 on Aug 7, 2010 8:57 AM EDT reply actions  

I think Gonzo's diving stab at second should've been on there too...

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 Aug 7, 2010 9:28 AM EDT up reply actions  

No way Morgan makes that play.

by mechanicsville on Aug 7, 2010 10:27 AM EDT up reply actions  

I'm trying to stay focused on Maxwell's positives...

Ignoring 4 K’s, ignoring 4 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 Aug 7, 2010 11:00 AM EDT up reply actions  

As I wrote above, I’m thinking, “but Morgan doesn’t K 4 times…”

by mechanicsville on Aug 7, 2010 11:48 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions  

Can Dunn get 10 more in the season?

Me thinks yes. Can he get 12 to make up for hitting 38 last year?

by Alex35332 on Aug 7, 2010 10:47 AM EDT reply actions  

Nats are owed 2...

Bowden promised 40/100!!!

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 Aug 7, 2010 10:58 AM EDT up reply actions  

Win was great.....

But we still missed scoring opportunities, which always seems to be a problem. The most aggravating, was not sending Willingham home on that one fly ball to the OF, when the Pitcher spot was up next with two outs. Would the Hammer had scored? I think the odds were more in our favor with him at least attempting to score, than putting all the eggs on the plate with Lannan hitting next. I was also aggravated that we had Dez bunt with JMax on second, with no outs. Yeah, that puts JMax at third with one out, and two solid hitters up next, but I think Dez should have been swinging for a base hit….not bunting.

by sullyzz on Aug 7, 2010 11:05 AM EDT reply actions  

agreed with both

Holding Willingham made a little bit of sense (Ethier has a strong arm)….but with the pitcher coming up I would have preferred being a little aggressive.

The Desmond bunt made NO sense…a runner on second (especially one with speed) is certainly in scoring position with Zim and Dunn coming up. No need to move him to third, and Desmond’s been swinging a hot stick lately.

by Mevans12 on Aug 7, 2010 11:42 AM EDT up reply actions  

Espinosa hit the go ahead HR for the Chiefs win

So happy for Storen. I remember Chad Cordero’s first career save when he pitched the ninth at Shea that night. How long will it take our boy Drew to eclipse the 128 saves the Chief put up?

Why not us? Why not now?

by Expos4 on Aug 7, 2010 11:09 AM EDT reply actions  

i dont think that long

He’s up in the bigs and getting the chance already. The nats have other options (peralta has been pretty solid) but if storen can string together a few dominant late inning appearances (assuming the lineup can get the lead) the job looks like it will be his to lose

Somebody needs to be last in the standings; as long as its the Orioles, Tom is happy

by TJL on Aug 7, 2010 11:44 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions  

It depends as much on guys like Clippard, Peralta, and Burnett as it does on Storen. The team’s bound to win more games in the coming years so the opportunities should be there.

by mechanicsville on Aug 7, 2010 11:58 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions  

IAWTC

"Inconceivable!"
"You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means."
-The Princess Bride

by Jorgath on Aug 7, 2010 1:02 PM EDT up reply actions  

how long will it take...over/under

Storen saves #129- Sept 15, 2013. (I’m an optimist)

by mechanicsville on Aug 7, 2010 11:46 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions  

No, I'm the optimist

Because that 129 will be out of 129 opportunities.

"Inconceivable!"
"You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means."
-The Princess Bride

by Jorgath on Aug 7, 2010 1:03 PM EDT up reply actions  

11 Wins Away.....

From the best record we have had in three seasons.

by sullyzz on Aug 7, 2010 1:16 PM EDT reply actions  

60 Wins...

That’s a little depressing. It’s hard to argue, though, they’re not headed in the right direction. I’d be thrilled with ,500 ball from here on out.

by mechanicsville on Aug 7, 2010 2:58 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions  

It would actually be amazing considering this team hasn't had a starting

pitching staff all year.

Patiently waiting for "next year" since 1971.

by Princess Jazzy on Aug 7, 2010 3:22 PM EDT up reply actions  

We've been playing 500 ball for a while

um, please visit my soccer (football) blog. it's interesting, I promise. por favor? (filbertway.com)
Sunshine will come to Nats Park, I promise. (visit por favor? my website)

by ajk9hy on Aug 7, 2010 5:07 PM EDT up reply actions  

My condolences to your Rays....

…they are now on the wrong side of the trivia question: “Who is the only player to hit 2HR and 4 hits in his major league debut?”

On a desperate search for Sunshine at Nats Park. In Rizzo and Ramos we trust.

by souldrummer on Aug 7, 2010 5:19 PM EDT up reply actions  

Eh Sox win and I can live with it

Big Game Shields only shows up for big games, unfortunately. I think the bigger travesty is that I just picked up that catcher and left him on my bench.

um, please visit my soccer (football) blog. it's interesting, I promise. por favor? (filbertway.com)
Sunshine will come to Nats Park, I promise. (visit por favor? my website)

by ajk9hy on Aug 7, 2010 6:04 PM EDT up reply actions  

You can't hate yourself for that.

Nobody would have thought he’d go that bananas in his first start.

On a desperate search for Sunshine at Nats Park. In Rizzo and Ramos we trust.

by souldrummer on Aug 7, 2010 6:21 PM EDT up reply actions  

It's always a matter of what ifs.

Btw, I might be coming up for either the Tuesday or Thursday game (would like to see Strassy, plus I get to potentially pick up my new laptop or something…). Anyone going?

Also, that email—- I was just wondering if you are interested in potentially sharing an MiLB.tv package or MLB Radio package for next year.

um, please visit my soccer (football) blog. it's interesting, I promise. por favor? (filbertway.com)
Sunshine will come to Nats Park, I promise. (visit por favor? my website)

by ajk9hy on Aug 7, 2010 6:37 PM EDT up reply actions  

by share I mean split

um, please visit my soccer (football) blog. it's interesting, I promise. por favor? (filbertway.com)
Sunshine will come to Nats Park, I promise. (visit por favor? my website)

by ajk9hy on Aug 7, 2010 6:37 PM EDT up reply actions  

I'd punt on it.

For one, I have absolutely no idea what my life will look like next year. Fro two, I don’t feel I’m lacking but so much. MLBNetwork is good enough for me at the moment for non-Nats coverage and I’ve heard mixed reviews on it. But you can certainly shoot me an email if you’d like to try to convince me otherwise.

I’m interested in going to one or both games. Tuesday’s kind of higher priority to me with the Strasburg return and Andre Dawson recognition. I might go to both days. Let me know your plans either way.

On a desperate search for Sunshine at Nats Park. In Rizzo and Ramos we trust.

by souldrummer on Aug 7, 2010 8:11 PM EDT up reply actions  

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