Wire Taps: Washington Nationals' Homestand Starts With New York Mets.
by Patrick Reddington on Apr 26, 2011 11:45 AM EDT
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Print• Programming Note: The New York Mets come to the nation's capital tonight for the 7:05 pm EDT start to the three-game series with the Washington Nationals. MASN2 HD on TV, 106.7 the FAN in DC and 1500 WFED will be carrying the live broadcast. Sirius/XM ch. 183 for subscribers who want to listen to Nats' right-hander Jordan Zimmermann take on the suddenly-red-hot Mets who turn to veteran Chris Young, who'll attempt to keep New York's four-game win-streak going. Who's watching the Nationals?
• LINKS AND LINKS AND...
• NATS BEAT:
• "Well, it turns out that 'some sort of horn' is actually a submarine horn. And that the three blasts that follow both home runs and wins are the submarine’s signal for a power ascent." - "How the Nats went from fireworks to a submarine horn" - Dan Steinberg, DC Sports Bog - The Washington Post
• "'The rain, when he called it, it wasn’t that big of a factor,' said Lannan, who fell to 2-2 and raised his ERA to 4.05.'" - John Lannan not blaming delay for shaky fourth inning - Gene Wang, Nationals Journal - The Washington Post
• "'April showers,' John Lanann muttered. 'I can't wait for April to be over. Let's go to May.'" - "Pirates, rain topple Nationals" - Mark Zuckerman, CSN Washington
• "I'd like to see them try Espinosa and Desmond at the top of the lineup; it gives them some speed, and with Werth hitting behind Desmond, it might be a good spot to get him going." - Ben Goessling - "Espinosa and Desmond hitting first and second for Nationals against Pirates" - Ben Goessling, MASNSports.com
• "When Werth and Wilson Ramos reached against former Nationals reliever Joel Hanrahan in the ninth, they were Washington’s first baserunners since before the delay." - "Nats wrap up soggy trip with loss to Pirates" - Amanda Comak, Washington Times
• "'I can honestly say my 11 at-bats I've had so far -- besides my four walks -- have been just embarrassing...'" - Matt Stairs - "Nats' Stairs on slump: 'Just embarrassing'" - Mark Zuckerman, CSN Washington
• "[Jordan] Zimmermann thus takes the next handoff in an impressive relay by Nationals starting pitchers: They have gone five-plus innings in each of the team's 21 games." - "New York Mets at Washington Nationals: Surging Mets kick off series with Nationals" Tom Singer, MLB.com Preview
• "'Maholm shut us down,' Riggleman said. 'We hit a couple balls decent that they made some plays on.'" - "Washington Nationals at Pittsburgh Pirates: After great start, Nationals fall flat in finale" - George Von Benko, MLB.com WSH Recap
• "First base umpire Alan Porter called Walker safe, however, with LaRoche first pleading his case before Riggleman exited the dugout to protest the call." - "More inclement weather interferes with final game of road trip" - Gene Wang, Nationals Journal - The Washington Post
• "'He’s a good player,' said Nationals manager Jim Riggleman. 'He was a good player for Cincinnati in this role, and we’re finding some at-bats for him." - "Nix coming through in a pinch for Nats" - Amanda Comak, Washington Times
• "In all but one of those 11 losses, the Nationals have scored more than four runs. In five of their 11 losses, they've limited their opponents to four or fewer runs." - "Nationals' offense holds them back from another win against Pirates" - Ben Goessling, MASNSports.com
• NATSTOWN:
• "But in games the Nats have scored fewer than five runs, they are a paltry 1-10. That's right. Only once this season have the Nats won scoring fewer than five runs..." - "Cold, Hard Facts About the Offense" - Dave Nichols, Nats News Network
• "Tuesday’s News & Notes" - April Whitzman, NationalsProspects.com
• "The Nationals have gotten lucky all season. Their starting pitchers have kept runs off the board despite allowing a good deal of runners on the basepaths." - "Nats Drop The Rubber Game Against The Pirates, Look Forward To A Tough Home Stand" - Will Yoder, The Nats Blog
• "(Rick Ankiel struck out looking to end Monday's game with the tying run on first...)" - "Gone Looking" - The Nationals Enquirer
• "Speaking of recoveries and small sample sizes, you may know that Mike Morse hit his first homer of the season on Sunday." - "Small Signs of Life" - Charlie, The Nationals Review
• "Adam Dunn - .145 AVG (8 for 55). .579 OPS. 2 HR. 8 RBI. 10 BB. 24 K. Dunn has not recovered from his appendectomy it seems. 24 K in just 55 ABs is nearly 10% worse than his career K%." - "Checking In" - Mac, Capitol Baseball
• "But the other side of that is performance, and Lannan ended up allowing four earned runs on five hits and -- the killer -- two walks, both of which scored in that fateful fourth inning." - "GAME 21 REVIEW: Nats Lose Soggy Game and Series to the Pirates" - Dave Nichols, Nats News Network
• Nats Minor League Updates:
• Triple-A Syracuse: "The run was the only blemish on Ross Detwiler's afternoon. The Syracuse lefthander scattered eight hits and two walks in six and one-third innings, allowing just the one run and striking out five." - "Chiefs fall to Yankees on 13th-inning walkoff" - Syracuse Chiefs News
• Double-A Harrisburg: Shairon Martis K's six, gives up eight hits, 5 ER in 4.0 IP - Harrisburg Senators Scoreboard
• Twitter: @Nationals PR: "Harrisburg RHP Brad Peacock named Double-A Eastern League Pitcher of the Week by MiLB.com for period of April 18-24." -
• Class-A Potomac: "Paul Demny put together his best start as a Potomac Nationals Monday night in Myrtle Beach. The righthander shut out the Pelicans over seven five-hit innings." - "ERLIN OVERPOWERS NATS AS PELICANS TAKE GAME ONE" - Potomac Nationals News
• Class-A Hagerstown: "The South Atlantic League announced today that Suns right-hander Cameron Selik has been selected as Pitcher of the Week for April 18-24, 2011." - "Selik Earns Pitcher of the Week Honors" - Hagerstown Suns News
• "'Chipper wasn't as filled out as Bryce at a young age. He struggled his first year, but it is what he became (that people remember). The athleticism is definitely similar,' [Hagerstown manager Brian] Daubach said." - "Bryce Harper hits another homer; Daubach compares him to Chipper Jones" - Byron Kerr, MASNSports.com
• Your Daily Message From The Dalai Lama On Twitter (@DalaiLama): "Unlike physical progress, which is subject to natural restrictions, the qualities of the mind can be developed limitlessly."
• NL EAST UPDATES:
• Marlins: "Josh Johnson isn't an Elite Pitcher?" - Craig, Fish Stripes
• Phillies: "The Worst Trade in Phillies History" - taco pal, The Good Phight
• Braves: "'I hope it changes soon, I don’t know if my gut can take another extra-inning game,' said [Braves' Skipper Fredi] Gonzalez, whose Braves blew a 3-2 lead in the seventh." - "Braves lose to Padres on 13th-inning homer" - David O'Brien Atlanta Journal-Constitution, ajc.com
• Mets: "However unlikely this might sound, power fueled the fine end of the Mets' 4-2 homestand last week..." - "Ike Davis powers Mets to a big week and earns Big Apple baseball player of the week honors" - Anthony McCarron, NY Daily News
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Somebody clearly has too much time on their hands! LOL
Everything about last night’s game was annoying. The Nats did not want to be there and it showed. Can’t say I blame them. They were effectively held hostage by the Pirates and subject to all that weather nonsense. That being said-it’s awfully difficult to remain positive watching the Nats offense-or better described as lack thereof. Rizzo needs to do something about this fast. The pitchers will not continue to pitch this well and things will get really ugly. As it is the pitching hasn’t been the best the last few games so there is no margin for error.
Hope this isn’t the start of a free fall… Sorry for the negativity – just calling it like I see it.
Patiently waiting for "next year" since 1971.
by Princess Jazzy on Apr 26, 2011 12:34 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I personally hope that the run of five-inning starts ends soon
just so they’ll stop talking about it. It’s not that impressive. It doesn’t mean anything, really. When Livo gives up 6 in the first but finishes five, if you only hear the “finishes five” part you would think the starters are doing well. In general, that’s not really the whole story.
If the Nats have won only once in games they’ve scored fewer than five runs, this problem is with the pitching, right?
Rob
-- In baseball we trust.
If they've scored 4+ runs in 10 of 11 losses...
As Mr. Goessling notes, clearly you need better pitching rather than more innings eaten. I agree.
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 Apr 26, 2011 1:48 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I only count two losses scoring exactly 4 runs, and no loss with more than 4 runs.......
“In five of their 11 losses, they’ve limited their opponents to four or fewer runs.”
Impossible, if they’ve scored 4+ in 10 of 11 losses……..Goessling needs to re-write that.
by cat daddy3000 on Apr 26, 2011 2:16 PM EDT up reply actions
Huh? Just went back and checked to see if I somehow messed that up...
But it does say they they scored 4+ in 10 of 11, when it’s only two. Shouldn’t double-checked the maths before quoting…They’ve scored 4 in 2 L’s, 2 in 5 L’s, 3 in 1 L and been shut out 3x’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 Apr 26, 2011 2:38 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Nope, you shouldn't have to proofread a MSM beat reporter......not your job...
Made my brain hurt, trying to make sense of it….
by cat daddy3000 on Apr 26, 2011 3:02 PM EDT up reply actions
should be written as
“In all of those 11 losses, the Nationals have scored four runs or fewer. In five of their 11 losses, they’ve limited their opponents to four or fewer runs.”
Even so, it doesn't appear to provide great insight....
I’m sure most teams have many losses where they limited the opposition to 4 or fewer…Now, 2 or fewer……….that’s a story, maybe…
by cat daddy3000 on Apr 26, 2011 3:06 PM EDT up reply actions
Better D in the infield would help too.
How many balls does Desi have to drop before he’s moved over to second?
He won't be.
It’s how many does he drop before he gets sent down to the minors.
Simply because it’s more likely he gets sent down than moved to 2B.
"I just want to tell you both good luck. We're all counting on you."
-Leslie Nielsen, Airplane
BERNIE RECALLED!!!
ian on paternity leave, congrats to him and his wife!
GOOD LUCK!!!....................with your 2 ABs for the week, Roger....
That’s all Riggler gave Flores….
by cat daddy3000 on Apr 26, 2011 3:07 PM EDT up reply actions
Coulda played catcher...............and gotten more than 2 chances.
by cat daddy3000 on Apr 26, 2011 3:11 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah...I didn't get that whole 'not playing Flo' thing.
But Bernie will at least have a shot at showing how much he’s learned in Syracuse the last couple weeks.
Hasn't he already had a decent shot?
He has 550+ PAs at the Major League level. What makes us believe that he’s not really a .700-ish OPS guy?
Rob
-- In baseball we trust.
ouch...........
I mean, I hope he doesn’t just sit on the bench and ………….just pointlessly sit on the bench…….
by cat daddy3000 on Apr 26, 2011 3:57 PM EDT up reply actions
it's 4 games
and as a roster fill-in,not as a ’you’re doing better than {FILL IN THE UNDERACHIEVER OF YOUR CHOICE}; get in there and save the season’.
my guess is he may get into 2 of the 4 games, and go right back to Syracuse when Desmond’s paternity leave expires.
On the other hand
I would not be surprised if he happened to get a start or two and IF he manages to play/hit well in center field, that that fact would greatly speed his return to the ML level (i.e. it will be days not weeks/months).
They face a lefty Thursday (Capuano). This probably will be the Shark’s one chance to start (assuming Desi isn’t back). Does anyone know what the projected starters are for the Giants’ series?
Rob
-- In baseball we trust.
Sanchez(L), somebody, Cain(R), and Bumgarner(L)
No Timmy….
by cat daddy3000 on Apr 26, 2011 4:08 PM EDT up reply actions
yeah......it's really irrelevant in the big picture......
I just don’t care about the utility placeholders…..
by cat daddy3000 on Apr 26, 2011 4:04 PM EDT up reply actions
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