Washington Nationals 3-1 Over Houston Astros On John Lannan's Arm, Michael Morse's Bat.

by Patrick Reddington on Mar 22, 2011 3:52 PM EDT

Quick Recap:

John Lannan retired the first seven Astros he faced Tuesday afternoon before a one-out single by Oswaldo Navarro got Houston a baserunner. Houston lefty Wandy Rodriguez popped up an attempted sac bunt, however, and Wilson Ramos caught Navarro off first on a ball in the dirt that didn't quite get away and nailed him with a strong throw.

Lannan faces the minimum through three. After 1-2-3 fourth for the Nats' young veteran left-hander, the Nats give him a lead in the bottom of the frame, or the Astros do really. A Clint Barmes' throwing error on a grounder to short by Wilson Ramos gives Danny Espinosa a runner in scoring position with two down and the Nats' second baseman doubles in the run with an RBI line drive to center that makes it 1-0 Nats after four.

Lannan issued a one-out walk to Oswaldo Navarro in the sixth. Navarro was the only batter with a hit off the Nats lefty to that point, but after a sac bunt by Astros' pitcher Henry Villar, Michael Bourn collects Houston's second hit and their first run with an RBI single that ties it. 1-1 after five and a half. Jayson Werth tries to get the lead back in the Nats' sixth when he singles to start the bottom of the frame, but Michael Morse K's swinging and Wilson Ramos grounds into an inning-ending DP that keeps it tied through six.

Collin Balester, who should (if remaining options weren't an important consideration) be a part of the Nats' bullpen when the season starts, retires the Astros in order in the seventh, striking out Bill Hall, popping up Carlos Lee and then getting a called strike on J.R. Towles for a scoreless inning of work. After the Nats come up empty in the seventh, Doug Slaten throws a quick 1-2-3 eighth and Jayson Werth once again singles to start the bottom of the inning, setting Michael Morse up with a runner on and a lefty (Fernando Abad) on the mound. The just-turned-29-today Morse takes the 'Stros' lefty deeeeeeeep to right and GONE!! Two-run blast for Morse, 3-1 lead for Washington and Nationals' closer Drew Storen is warmed up and ready for the ninth. 1-2-3 Nationals win.

• Lannan's Line (pitch count via Washington Post writer Adam Kilgore on Twitter): 6.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 3 K's, 66 pitches, 42 strikes.

Balester, Slaten and Storen combine for three scoreless. Werth 2 for 4. Morse 2 for 4 with a HR, 2 RBI's. Danny Espinosa 2 for 3, double, RBI. Alberto Gonzalez, 2 for 2.

Tweet Comment 17 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

What to do with the General ?

I do hope the Padres were wathing…

by Berndaddy on Mar 22, 2011 4:03 PM EDT reply actions

Didn't think I'd ever say this but....

The General seems to be playing better than Cora, Nix, Bixler, and possibly Hairston, Jr. But if he’s the odd-man out, there are a LOT worse things in life than to go to play in San Diego!

"Baseball is a game played by the dexterous but only understood by the POIN-dexterous."
Professor Frink (from MoneyBart Episode )

by MissB on Mar 22, 2011 4:14 PM EDT up reply actions

Bally is having a really strong ST. I've got to believe he will be a part of the team on opening day.

"I'm going to run. You can't stop me. I'm going to run even if I don't get a single vote!." Willie Stark, All The King's Men

by kingfishfarms on Mar 22, 2011 4:17 PM EDT reply actions

Options are not his friend heading north.

"Baseball is a game played by the dexterous but only understood by the POIN-dexterous."
Professor Frink (from MoneyBart Episode )

by MissB on Mar 22, 2011 4:19 PM EDT up reply actions

Yea, he'll be heading way north...up 81 all the way...

by Berndaddy on Mar 22, 2011 5:05 PM EDT up reply actions

Yet another reason why the Willingham trade is bad news so far

Henry Rodriguez is clogging up one of those option spots. Broderick is clogging up one of those roster spots. Meanwhile we are going to give Guadin a role in our bullpen and we are going to give Coffey a role in our bullpen. I trust Bally enough to better than one of those guys if he were to make the club. I hope Rizzo is planning to flip a reliever sometime this season if give Bally the chance that he has earned with his performance at the end of last year and so far this spring.

Souldrummer twitters at @souldrummer25
"Derek Norris walks." - Gameday. 'Nuff said. Souldrummer is all in for Derek Norris. Friend of Nationalsprospects.com

by souldrummer on Mar 23, 2011 9:56 AM EDT up reply actions

I actually would advocate keeping Broderick over Gaudin straight up

Despite his spring showing, I am highly skeptical of Gaudin (or “White Flag” as he was known in NY, because bringing him in meant the team was giving up – or might as well have been). Broderick at least offers potential, where Gaudin pretty much is what he is and that’s not saying much.

The d_c_guy vote for the bullpen (in no particular order): Storen, Slaten, Clippard, Burnett, Balester, HRodriguez and Broderick as the long guy/swing starter. Coffey hasn’t really shown me any reason to think he’s not likely to improve from the 4+ ERA 1.45 WHIP guy that he’s been over his undistinguished career, and Gaudin is Gaudin (4.61 ERA 1.51 WHIP over his undistinguished career). DL Ramirez for the time being and let him work his way back.

While there’s no way the Cardinals let the Nationals trade for Broderick (since (a) Wainwright is out for the season; and (b) the teams aren’t getting along at the moment), he’s pitched his way into the d_c_guy bullpen. Henry Rodriquez is the only one there because of roster mechanics.

by d_c_guy on Mar 23, 2011 10:24 AM EDT up reply actions

sigh Please disregard the double negative concerning Coffey.

Coffee really hasn’t shown me any reaston to think he’s likely to improve from the 4+ ERA 1.45 WHIP guy that he’s been over his undistinguished career.

ERA’s over 4 in the bullpen are really bad news, since half the runs they allow are charged to the previous pitcher.

by d_c_guy on Mar 23, 2011 10:27 AM EDT up reply actions

Your list is why I'm wondering why Coffey and Gaudin in the first place

I get the veterans, but when veterans start blocking young talent that has earned their way onto the roster like Broderick or Balester we start giving credit to Dave at NNN’s concerns that we have unrealistic win expectations for the roster in the Front Office.

Souldrummer twitters at @souldrummer25
"Derek Norris walks." - Gameday. 'Nuff said. Souldrummer is all in for Derek Norris. Friend of Nationalsprospects.com

by souldrummer on Mar 24, 2011 11:21 AM EDT up reply actions

If Coffey gets in because HRod is on the DL with a convenient neck injury, I'm OK with that

But yeah – I reserve the right to have concerns over the roster decisions that the Nationals make. Not that I have Rizzo on speed dial or anything :-)

by d_c_guy on Mar 24, 2011 5:44 PM EDT up reply actions