Wire Taps: Washington Nationals Blown Call Reactions, Interleague Intrigue.
by Patrick Reddington on May 20, 2011 12:07 PM EDT
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• Programming Notes: Friday night Interleague play with the Orioles begins in Baltimore with the Washington Nationals' sending right-hander Jason Marquis to the mound against the O's Jake Arrieta. The All-Time Interleague Series stands at 23-22 in the Nationals' favor heading into the three-game set in Camden Yards. The Nats enter the series in the midst of a two-game losing streak, having dropped back-to-back shutout losses to the Mets. The Orioles have dropped two-straight, one to the Red Sox and two to the Yankees. Something's got give. Can the Nats score for the first time since last Monday's win over the Pirates? MASN2 HD, 106.7 the FAN in DC, 1500 WFED, Sirius/XM ch. 181 for subscribers...Who's Watching the Nationals?
• LINKS AND LINKS AND...
• NATS BEAT:
• "'My man was safe,' Nationals starter Livan Hernandez said. Werth 'beat him two times. He was safe with the guy out of the bag, and he was safe because he beat the throw.'" - "Several Nationals frustrated by late call in loss to Mets" - Steve Yanda, Nationals Journal - The Washington Post
• "An MLB spokesman confirmed newly hired vice president of on-field operations Joe Torre will review the report filed by Cuzzi." - "MLB investigating ump incident with Rizzo" - Mark Zuckerman, NatsInsider.com
• "Apparently the heated words didn’t end once the umpires and the team left the field." - "GM Rizzo reportedly involved in incident with umpiring crew" - Amanda Comak, Washington Times
• "Several of you have mentioned putting Adam LaRoche on the disabled list, but LaRoche and everyone else involved continue to say his left shoulder injury isn't hurting his swing..." - "Blown call looms large in Nationals' latest shutout loss to Mets" - Ben Goessling, MASNSports.com
• "After Washington’s 1-0 loss to the Mets on Thursday afternoon, general manager Mike Rizzo ordered hitting coach Rick Eckstein not to talk to the media to help explain what’s going wrong with the offense" - "LaRoche, Nix support Nats’ Eckstein" - Bill Ladson, All Nats All the Time
• "On Friday night, Jason Marquis will take the mound at Baltimore knowing that, on average, he receives more run support than any other Washington starting pitcher." - "Few big league starters receive less run support than Livan Hernandez" - Steve Yanda, Nationals Journal - The Washington Post
• "'Both starting pitchers for the Mets threw well against us, but when pitchers throw well against us, you still have to beat them,' manager Jim Riggleman said." - "Washington Nationals at New York Mets: Livan's effort spoiled by laco of Nats' suppport" - Bill Ladson, MLB.com
• "There's been a bubbling sentiment among some members of the organization that the team is on the short end of too many calls - and that was clearly driving the Nationals' anger as Thursday's game ended..." - "Nationals head to Baltimore with frustration peaking" - Ben Goessling, MASNSports.com
• "Relief pitching has been a major area of concern for the Orioles, whose 5.05 bullpen ERA is second-worst in baseball ahead of only the Tigers." - "Series preview: Nats at Orioles" - Mark Zuckerman, NatsInsider.com
• "The Orioles and Nationals share the same backyard, and they're trying to get to a place where they share a common trajectory." - "Washington Nationals at Baltimore Orioles: Beltways rivals looking to get over hump" - Spencer Fordin, MLB.com Preview
• "After the game, most Nationals were mum on the blown call. 'I’m not commenting on umpires,' Werth said." - "Nats again wear blank expression" - Amanda Comak, Washington Times
• "There was a time not long ago when the rainstorm that turned Citi Field in New York into a quagmire Wednesday night would have resulted in a postponement, no questions asked." - "Rhythm of the rain" - Phil Wood, MASNSports.com
• Your Daily Message From The Dalai Lama On Twitter (@DalaiLama): "The aim of spiritual practice is to become the friend of all beings, concerned about them and ready and able to help them." -
• NATS MINOR LEAGUE UPDATES:
• Class-A Hagerstown: "Suns right fielder, and Nationals No. 1 prospect, Bryce Harper says Kelso is doing what a leadoff hitter is supposed to do: Force the opposing starter to show all his pitches each at-bat." - "Prospect Kelso setting tone for first place Suns" - Byron Kerr, MASNSports.com
• Class-A Hagerstown: "Ryan Buch (4-3) earned the win for Kannapolis, and A.J. Cole (0-2) took the loss for the Suns." - "Suns Drop Game One of Twinbill, Game Two Postponed" - Hagerstown Suns News
• Class-A Potomac: "J.P Ramirez, Destin Hood, Brian Peacock, Justin Bloxom, Jose Lozada, and Eury Perez all went deep, accounting for 11 of the Nats' 14 runs." - "P-Nats Slug Six Home Runs, Win 14-6" - Potomac Nationals News
• Double-A Harrisburg: "Today, we continue the series with Andy Tracy. Andy made his mark in Harrisburg over the course of a year and a half as a Senator during the 1998-99..." - "25 Seasons, 25 Players: Andy Tracy" - Mick Reinhard, The Sports 'Burger
• Double-A Harrisburg: "The Harrisburg Senators snapped a two-game losing streak on Thursday night with a 3-1 win over the New Britain Rock Cats." - "Oliver Perez leads the Senators to a 3-1 win" - Terry Byrom, Harrisburg Senators News
• YOUTUBE: Double-A Harrisburg Senators Game Highlights:
• Triple-A Syracuse: "Detwiler allowed just one hit the rest of his five innings after giving up four in the first. Syracuse relievers Ryan Mattheus, Lee Hyde and Jeff Mandel then hurled four no-hit innings to close out the game." - "Chiefs roll Tides for fourth straight win" - Syracuse Chiefs News
• "Nationals left-handed pitching prospect Sammy Solis has fully recovered from a couple of injuries and is ready for what is expected to be his final start in extended spring training in Florida." - "Solis one start away from leaving Florida" - Byron Kerr, MASNSports.com
• "News and Notes on the Nationals Minors from the perspective of the fan, sportswriter, and amateur scout." - "Good, Bad, Interesting – Vol. 5" - Sue Dinem, NationalsProspects.com
• "So let's take a look at the Nationals' top five (plus a bonus) choices in last year's draft not named Bryce Harper, and a quick look at how they are doing so far." - "Checking in on the top Nats' picks not named Bryce Harper from the 2010 draft" - Nationals Buzz: Will Yoder
• SHARKNATSTOWN:
• "Playing in baseball stadiums that are full of bats, the Shark is completely used to this noise. This afternoon at Citi Field, in a spiteful rage-filled manner, the bats literally went silent." - "'Bats Stay Silent, Nats Losez'" - Sharkadina: Roger Bernadina's Unofficial Blog
• NATSTOWN:
• "This team has been able to keep within hailing distance of .500 all season thus far, scraping by offensively while receiving solid starting and usually excellent relief." - "GAME 43 REVIEW: No Offense, No Help from Umps in 1-0 Loss to Mets" - Dave Nichols, Nats News Network
• "Unfortunately for someone on the 25-man roster, when Ankiel returns, someone will need to be sent down or released." - "Stairs Expendable Upon Ankiel's Return" - Joe Drugan, Capitol Baseball
• "The victim here was not simply the Nationals, but also staff ace Livan Hernandez — who gave up just one run in seven complete." - "Gee Whiz: 1-0 in New York" - Mark, Center Field Gate
• "Where have you gone, Lenny Harris? Fire Rick Eckstein! (because, it's the umpires' hitting coach's fault, you know?)" - "0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0 -for-NY" - Nats Enquirer
• "I went into Boz's 'Harmon Killebrew is Bryce Harper. No he isn't. Yes he is' column with a preconceived notion that keeping someone in the minors when they were ready talent-wise for the majors is a mistake." - "The kingdom of the veteran jerk" - Harper, Nationals Baseball
• "6. Washington Nationals: Archie Bradley, RHP, Broken Arrow HS, Okla." - "MLB.com's mock first round of the 2011 First-Year Player Draft" - Jonathan Mayo, MLB.com: News
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Sharkadina Predicts Orioles Series
Sharkadina: Roger Bernadina’s Unofficial Blog
Every shark needs a fin.
Bernadina's got a fan.
Sharkadina:Roger Bernadina's Unofficial Blog
by Sharkadina! on May 20, 2011 1:26 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Save me a drumstick!
"I don't believe in luck, but it was just one of those things where it wasn't really skill, either." --Jerry, jr.
LMAO.
Patiently waiting for "next year" since 1971.
by Princess Jazzy on May 20, 2011 2:28 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I wish The Shark would do this to "That Cat" so he'd stop messing with Big Head Teddy...
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 May 20, 2011 2:30 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
In that case, don't save me a drumstick.
(Although I might try some if he went after the gecko. Um, I think it’s time for a snack.)
"I don't believe in luck, but it was just one of those things where it wasn't really skill, either." --Jerry, jr.
A look into Riggs' mind: Stairs is DH tonight and batting 5th
washingnats William Ladson
#Nats lineup vs. #Orioles: Bernadina-8, Desmond-6, Nix-7, Werth-9, Stairs-DH, LaRoche-3, Ramos-2, Espinosa-4, Hairston-5
How can this be?......................2 lefties in a row???......
All they have to do is throw in a LHRP and it shuts down both Stairs and LaRoche….
or, any RP……well, “gotta try to get Stairs going”…
Riggleman: "He’s all about the LR matchups, but he doesn’t seem to spend much time paying attention to the actual players involved." by d_c_guy on Apr 30, 2011
by cat daddy3000 on May 20, 2011 3:22 PM EDT up reply actions
LaRoche down to 6 spot
Does anyone else think that this is a sign that Rigglemen is finally getting an INKLING that he’s been batting LaRoche too high up in the lineup based on his (non)production?
I think it’s unlikely we see him any higher than 6 for a while (personally I’d put him at 7 on most days now, and only put him up to 6 if he actually starts hitting).
Given his history, he should have batted lower until he started hitting from the start...
But, Riggler is well known for trying to get hitters “going” by …………pointing to his gut…
Riggleman: "He’s all about the LR matchups, but he doesn’t seem to spend much time paying attention to the actual players involved." by d_c_guy on Apr 30, 2011
by cat daddy3000 on May 20, 2011 4:36 PM EDT up reply actions
Right now...........
Ramos should DH…………..Or Marquis and Livo to prove a point…………
Can’t even pick the correct DH?
I assume that you are joking; if it was anyone BUT Stairs it would be malpractice
If you DH Ramos you’re putting Pudge in the lineup at catcher. I don’t think Pudge is that much better than Stairs at this point, AND if Pudge gets dinged Ramos has to go in to catch and you lose the DH.
You can’t DH Marquis – he’s the starting pitcher. And if you elect not to use the DH at the beginning of the game you lose the option. DH’ing Livo is just silly – although he and Stairs each have two hits, Stairs at least walks – his OBP is .286 to .133 for Livo. We won’t even talk about Livo clogging the basepaths
DH’ing any of the other bench players (Morse, Bixler, Cora) costs you the ability to PH or PR with a player who can actually play a position. There’s no need to tie your own hands in that fashion.
On top of that, this should be Stairs’s last stand. He’s only had 22AB (28 plate appearances) – that’s the equivalent of less than a week for a regular; for a regular at this point you’re just beginning to notice that he’s struggling. If he goes 3 for 3 he will go from .091 to .200 in one game. Further, if he is going to have any utility for this team it’s as a bat, so DH him to give him a last chance to prove himself. In this he gets three starts against right handed pitching. If he doesn’t pick it up in three games of DHing, DFA him when Ankiel is healthy.
My only quibble about this lineup is actually that I would bat Ramos ahead of LaRoche. I would do it because (ahem) Ramos is a better hitter right now. But I also can’t help but notice that Riggleman broke his on LRLRLR tendencies, putting Stairs and LaRoche back-to-back. I don’t get that at all. How about Bernadina, Desmond, Nix, Werth, Ramos, Stairs, Espinosa, LaRoche, Hairston?
I like your lineup, d_c_guy.
I can’t see Riggs putting ALR 8th unless his arm actually falls off, and you can argue about whether he or Epsy should be 7th (oops, just checked their stats—turns out you can’t argue about this… you can argue batting Hairston 8th…).
"I don't believe in luck, but it was just one of those things where it wasn't really skill, either." --Jerry, jr.
The abomination is that Matt (whoholdsthealltimerecordforpinchhithomers) Stares is even on roster
…particularly as a pinch-hitter. PH ABs are leveraged; you can’t shrug off “only” 22 ABs when all those ABs occur late in the game, with runners on base, and the outcome of the game presumably in doubt. A stiff at PH can hurt you way out of proportion to his number of ABs, and give new meaning to the word “pinch.”
"Don't worry, the fans don't start booing until July." - Earl Weaver
How leveraged they are affects their impact; it does not change the validity (or invalidity) of the sample size
It does further magnify their visibility though – just as starting the season 0 for 20 feels a lot worse than an 0 for 20 in July because it’s more visible, making them pinch hit at bats just doubles down on the aggravation.
Nah man, leverage depends on situational importance; in a PH sit, importance is always big
Impact is determined by whether PH delivers or not – and for better or worse, it’s always big too. That’s why sample size is not to be compared to sample size of position-players, so the discussion’s irrelevant.
For example, for position players, 100 lifetime hits + five bucks buys you a tall latte at Starbucks. For a pinch-hitter, 100 lifetime hits gets you talked about by broadcasters ad nauseum, as we are all painfully aware.
"Don't worry, the fans don't start booing until July." - Earl Weaver
The point he's making
is that it’s a very small sample to attempt to determine whether you believe that he will succeed in the future, not whether he has succeeded in the past — clearly, he hasn’t (this year). But the small sample size says don’t use that to try to conclude that he won’t deliver in the future.
Rob
-- In baseball we trust.
Add to this the fact that pretty much everyone in the organization has stunk it up pinch hitting
I mentioned yesterday that I thought that Stairs was getting good looks at pitches and hitting the ball hard lately (albeit with not much to show for it). I would not be surprised to see him get some important hits this series.
Rob
-- In baseball we trust.
Orioles got humiliated yesterday; should come out fighting tonight
I hate inter-league play and find it pointless in every respect – but no one asked me.
"Don't worry, the fans don't start booing until July." - Earl Weaver
Heh heh. Do I detect a slight hint of...shall we say, ingratitude?
"Don't worry, the fans don't start booing until July." - Earl Weaver
Hell, I know that - I wuz just funnin'
"Don't worry, the fans don't start booing until July." - Earl Weaver
Interleague play is an abomination.
Just like the DL.
"I don't believe in luck, but it was just one of those things where it wasn't really skill, either." --Jerry, jr.
Actually, I think he meant the DL........
Back in the day, a broken leg was nuthin’………torn ligaments?…….You.Just.Played.Through.The.Pain
Riggleman: "He’s all about the LR matchups, but he doesn’t seem to spend much time paying attention to the actual players involved." by d_c_guy on Apr 30, 2011
by cat daddy3000 on May 20, 2011 6:21 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
his BABIP is .143
That means six of seven balls he makes contact with go straight to a fielder. His luck has stunk.
So has our luck stunk - from the moment Nats organization set eyes on the stiff
"Don't worry, the fans don't start booing until July." - Earl Weaver
Since inter-league games don't count for sh*t, Stares may well get big hits vs Orioles
I would not be surprised either – but I’d much rather he’d do something against, say, the NL East.
"Don't worry, the fans don't start booing until July." - Earl Weaver
if Stairs hits
with some regular ABs then he can play 1B vs righties and Morse against lefties. Get LaRoche on the DL and into some “rehab” assignments. I don’t see how you can let him continue to work it out here.
IMHO it doesn't much matter at this point.
You need to throw the “book” out and shake things up since these guys are so bad you could literally pull names out of a hat and it wouldn’t matter.
Patiently waiting for "next year" since 1971.
by Princess Jazzy on May 20, 2011 4:44 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
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