Taiwan All-Star Series - Game One GameThread: Washington Nationals' Michael Morse Takes On Taiwan!!

by Patrick Reddington on Nov 1, 2011 8:45 PM EDT

Courtesy of @NationalsPR on Twitter, an image of Washington Nationals' slugger Michael Morse's famous "crane kick" as the batter prepares to face the Chinese Taipei national team in the MLB Taiwan All-Star Series on November 1, 2011.

In case you weren't aware...There is a team of MLB players traveling around Taiwan at the moment, taking part in the Taiwan All-Star series, a five-game exhibition series against the Chinese Taipei national team. The Washington Nationals sent OF/1B Michael Morse, left-handed starter Ross Detwiler and right-hander Collin Balester to take part in the series on the MLB side. Nats' sinker-baller Chien-Ming Wang, (who is not technically the Nats' Chien-Ming Wang right now, having become a free agent on Sunday) is scheduled to pitch for the Taiwanese team, as he returns to action in his home country. The game is being aired on the MLB Network and MLB.tv on tape delay at 9:00 pm EDT. If you aren't going to watch, you can check out the results of the game HERE. If you're watching and want to talk Nats during the game, you can join the discussion (if there is one...anyone watching?) below.

• Here's the schedule for the five-game series and the MLB Network broadcasts.

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I saw Curly W's!

IN the player row as they did the introductions. And pinstripes. Makes one wistful, it does.

by d_c_guy on Nov 1, 2011 9:01 PM EDT reply actions

Nice 3-4-5 for me

Granderson, Morse, Cano? Sweeeet

by d_c_guy on Nov 1, 2011 9:04 PM EDT reply actions

What a surprise, random game with Nats in it!

Morse flies out.

by Joey Fox on Nov 1, 2011 9:13 PM EDT reply actions

What's Morse doing at first? He doesn't belong 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 Nov 1, 2011 9:22 PM EDT reply actions

Harper and Norris 4-5 in Scottsdale's lineup...

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 Nov 1, 2011 9:23 PM EDT reply actions

Is there a game feed for that?

by d_c_guy on Nov 1, 2011 9:24 PM EDT up reply actions

I wish. Have to settle for Saturday.

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 Nov 1, 2011 9:24 PM EDT up reply actions

It's a Huntzinger start too, so maybe Purke will pitch again.

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 Nov 1, 2011 9:25 PM EDT up reply actions

And (sorry, Zach!) Zach Walters is hitting ninth...

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 Nov 1, 2011 9:25 PM EDT up reply actions

Oh look ... it's pouring down rain

Nice play by Cano to end the inning

by d_c_guy on Nov 1, 2011 9:23 PM EDT reply actions

+range.

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 Nov 1, 2011 9:24 PM EDT up reply actions

Ryan Roberts and his tattoos are in Taiwan...

Ty Wiggington 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 Nov 1, 2011 9:34 PM EDT reply actions

Wiggington fed the Taiwanese version of the greedy monster...

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 Nov 1, 2011 9:34 PM EDT up reply actions

Still dislike the blue guy

Even on tape delay from the other side of the world

by d_c_guy on Nov 1, 2011 9:35 PM EDT up reply actions

Om Nom Nom!! So Greedy!

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 Nov 1, 2011 9:37 PM EDT up reply actions

ARGH!

by d_c_guy on Nov 1, 2011 9:46 PM EDT up reply actions

Espinosa and Desmond would have turned that DP...

Weak-tossing Cano!

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 Nov 1, 2011 9:39 PM EDT reply actions

Now Guthrie and Aybar get the DP! MLB!! MLB!! OM NOM NOM!!

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 Nov 1, 2011 9:44 PM EDT reply actions

So stylish

And don’t forget that Morse put the finishing touches on that GIDP

by d_c_guy on Nov 1, 2011 9:47 PM EDT up reply actions

I just saw Detwiler...

I say Det makes the rotation next year.

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 Nov 1, 2011 9:49 PM EDT reply actions

It seems to me that the pitching staff of the U.S. team is not the same quality as the position players

by d_c_guy on Nov 1, 2011 9:55 PM EDT up reply actions

Not surprised teams aren't letting the best pitchers travel around the world to throw...

A month or more after they last pitched.

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 Nov 1, 2011 9:56 PM EDT up reply actions

aw man............

Det and Balester are standing right there…………….( sad faces….)

"...because I spent years as the only Expos fan I knew..." -P.R., Oct. 2011...+1

by cat daddy3000 on Nov 1, 2011 10:08 PM EDT up reply actions

If Jamey Guthrie is starting ahead of you

You SHOULD hang your head stern look

by d_c_guy on Nov 1, 2011 10:14 PM EDT up reply actions

Jeremy?

[so disrespectful, and from an AL fan]

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 Nov 2, 2011 1:13 AM EDT up reply actions

But I said Det will make the rotation!

And Bally will be the B-Bullpen’s Clippard!!

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 Nov 1, 2011 10:14 PM EDT up reply actions

and they're Traveling All Stars!!!

but “not the best”….

"...because I spent years as the only Expos fan I knew..." -P.R., Oct. 2011...+1

by cat daddy3000 on Nov 1, 2011 10:23 PM EDT up reply actions

Bases loaded for the Grandyman!!

#johnsterlingrules

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 Nov 1, 2011 9:57 PM EDT reply actions

Granderslam! The Grandyman!

Grandslamerson!!

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 Nov 1, 2011 10:00 PM EDT up reply actions

Think he got all of that?

by d_c_guy on Nov 1, 2011 10:00 PM EDT up reply actions

Morse first pitch swinging ...

Grounds sharply to second.

Getting some love from the announcers though.

by d_c_guy on Nov 1, 2011 10:00 PM EDT reply actions

Ooh, we're getting the Nats' rumor mill!!

Nats going for Prince!!

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 Nov 1, 2011 10:01 PM EDT reply actions

If the Braves ate all that Lowe money, the Nats can do it 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 Nov 1, 2011 10:02 PM EDT up reply actions

Did RobBob pay

For that Prince shout-out?

by FreddieBallgame on Nov 1, 2011 10:19 PM EDT up reply actions

Morse clip from Intentional Talk

Dishing on the Smurfs bit

by d_c_guy on Nov 1, 2011 10:08 PM EDT reply actions

Yep, that's where we learned the Smurfs were one of Idea Man's big ideas.

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 Nov 1, 2011 10:10 PM EDT up reply actions

I knew it was from during the season

Because Millar said Morse was “going for 30 HR’s”

by d_c_guy on Nov 1, 2011 10:13 PM EDT up reply actions

Good night all

Don’t think I’ll make it to the end of this one. Boy, and I though West Coast trips were bad …

by d_c_guy on Nov 1, 2011 10:15 PM EDT reply actions

YMTRO!!

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 Nov 1, 2011 10:15 PM EDT up reply actions

Bryce Harper homers on a flyball to CF.... 2-2 with 2 RBIs...4-0 Scorpions....

"...because I spent years as the only Expos fan I knew..." -P.R., Oct. 2011...+1

by cat daddy3000 on Nov 1, 2011 10:21 PM EDT reply actions

Derek Norris...

Walks.

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 Nov 1, 2011 10:22 PM EDT up reply actions

Javelinas tied it up in the 5th 4-4 and not done yet....meat of the order coming up for Scotsdale in the bottom half......

Hassan
Harper
Norris

"...because I spent years as the only Expos fan I knew..." -P.R., Oct. 2011...+1

by cat daddy3000 on Nov 1, 2011 11:00 PM EDT up reply actions

Bryce Harper's 2-3 night thus far has his average up to .295

I imagine the SLG goes up accordingly…

"...because I spent years as the only Expos fan I knew..." -P.R., Oct. 2011...+1

by cat daddy3000 on Nov 1, 2011 11:37 PM EDT up reply actions

Homering Cyborg again,

Also single in first

by FreddieBallgame on Nov 1, 2011 10:23 PM EDT reply actions

Ahh beat me to it

by FreddieBallgame on Nov 1, 2011 10:23 PM EDT up reply actions

Eyeblack oozing Homering Cyborg!

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 Nov 1, 2011 10:24 PM EDT up reply actions

#5!!!

"...because I spent years as the only Expos fan I knew..." -P.R., Oct. 2011...+1

by cat daddy3000 on Nov 1, 2011 10:26 PM EDT up reply actions

Btw, trying to interpret dj interview today

Seemed to say he wants young guys up early ( earlier?) and that Straus would start 1st game, maybe hadn’t done the math re: home opener?

by FreddieBallgame on Nov 1, 2011 10:29 PM EDT up reply actions

Still trying to decide who he meant by the young guys he wants up...

I was kind of thinking he might mean keeping someone like Lombardozzi/Marrero up for a utility/bench role even if it might be tough for a young player to not play every day. Still wondering exactly who he was talking about.

The Strasburg comments seemed off the cuff. Another line of thinking which another writer who shall remain nameless and I discussed is setting it up so Strasburg doesn’t start the home opener (a guaranteed sell-out) and can instead pack them in for another game that series.

Not that that sort of thing weighs in decision-making at all...

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 Nov 1, 2011 10:35 PM EDT up reply actions

Considering it’s a Thursday-Sunday series, I would think every game should be close to a sell-out if the weather is decent.

Aim for the head baby Jesus

by Doncosmic on Nov 1, 2011 10:41 PM EDT up reply actions

Honestly, I didn't even look at the days, the discussion was during the season...

Before they’d even announced the 2012 schedule.

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 Nov 1, 2011 10:44 PM EDT up reply actions

Yah, coyly didn't mention Straus by name

Just “you guys know who I’ll start” kinda wink, wink

by FreddieBallgame on Nov 1, 2011 10:41 PM EDT up reply actions

LIVAN!!!!1!

he was talking about Livo, right?

"...because I spent years as the only Expos fan I knew..." -P.R., Oct. 2011...+1

by cat daddy3000 on Nov 1, 2011 10:49 PM EDT up reply actions

Stop that.

Rob

-- In baseball we trust.

by RobBobS on Nov 2, 2011 10:38 AM EDT up reply actions

by cat daddy3000 on Nov 1, 2011 10:37 PM EDT reply actions

Ks looking….

"...because I spent years as the only Expos fan I knew..." -P.R., Oct. 2011...+1

by cat daddy3000 on Nov 1, 2011 10:39 PM EDT up reply actions

Tigres de Licey lose 5-3 to the Toros del Este...

Marrero 1-4 with a run scored…

"...because I spent years as the only Expos fan I knew..." -P.R., Oct. 2011...+1

by cat daddy3000 on Nov 1, 2011 10:47 PM EDT up reply actions

Magellanes down by the same score.......Jesus Flores ended the 8th with a fallo al poncharse tirandole...

K swinging….

"...because I spent years as the only Expos fan I knew..." -P.R., Oct. 2011...+1

by cat daddy3000 on Nov 1, 2011 10:56 PM EDT up reply actions

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 Nov 1, 2011 10:52 PM EDT reply actions