Game 108: We need more OBP in the leadoff spot

by Doghouse on Aug 1, 2011 10:21 PM EDT

Tonight's game story: Nats win third straight on 2(!) Ankiel dingers.

via www.fangraphs.com

Yeah, but how much does he walk? Rick Ankiel (+16.1%) is 2-4 with a pair of solo shots for the early lead (+10.3%) and to tack on in the ~~third~~ fifth (~~+10.3%~~ +11.4%).
Doin' it all, like always, and always relaxed: Livan Hernandez (+23.5% pitching, +8.4% hitting) throws a solid 6 IP with 1 ER on 3 Ks and no BBs. He also hits a go-ahead RBI single in the 2nd (+10.4%).
Saved by the clowns: Ian Desmond (-7.6%) is 0-4, but gets an RBI after a circus-like Uggla throw lets him beat out the back end of a DP (which he probably had beat anyhow) and take second.

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Comments

yessss I like that mountain Rangy+ lookin' graph

by FreddieBallgame on Aug 1, 2011 10:45 PM EDT reply actions

I saw the DP where Livan races off the mound and pounces, THROWS (anyone have a radar gun on that?) and gets out of the inning...

Magician!….

"Let’s ask Witch Doghouse for some charms for the trend to continue!" by jbg2772 on Jul 21, 2011

by cat daddy3000 on Aug 1, 2011 11:19 PM EDT reply actions

+Majik!

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 1, 2011 11:43 PM EDT up reply actions

it looked like livo saved up all his hustle for the season to double up jurrjens

by TJL on Aug 2, 2011 6:53 AM EDT up reply actions

Radar Gun

90 MPH, hardest pitch he threw all night.

by Pig.Pen on Aug 2, 2011 8:48 AM EDT up reply actions

W:Hernandez (6-10)L:Jurrjens (12-4)SV:Storen (27)

I swear I catch glimpses of invisible robes as he lets fly the sinking baseball…

"Let’s ask Witch Doghouse for some charms for the trend to continue!" by jbg2772 on Jul 21, 2011

by cat daddy3000 on Aug 2, 2011 1:13 AM EDT reply actions

"Nothing up my sleeve..."

"I don't believe in luck, but it was just one of those things where it wasn't really skill, either." --Jerry, jr.

by Doghouse on Aug 2, 2011 8:39 AM EDT up reply actions

"Don't know my own strength ... "

by d_c_guy on Aug 2, 2011 1:54 PM EDT up reply actions

"Wrong hat..."

Brain: "Pinky, are you pondering what i'm pondering?"
Pinky: "Yes, but isn't a cucumber that small called a gherkin?"

by jbg2772 on Aug 2, 2011 2:19 PM EDT up reply actions

Ian Desmond is a nice young player, and certainly isn’t the worst SS in the big leagues, but why is he still playing everyday when the Nats have Danny Espinosa? Second basemen are much, much, much easier to find than SS’s. It’s time to see what Lombardozzi can do and if he’s not the guy find someone to play to 2B and move Espi back to SS. Desmond looks to be a utility infielder, a valuable commodity no doubt, but he shouldn’t be getting this many PA’s.

by Pig.Pen on Aug 2, 2011 8:48 AM EDT reply actions

Let me throw this back at you

Perhaps it’s time to give Espinosa some extended bench time. As a second baseman who’s not hitting his weight lately, he’s SUBSTANTIALLY less valuable than Desmond these days. So, if you really want Lombardozzi up with the Nats, then OK, but that doesn’t mean that Desmond’s the one that should lose playing time.

Rob

-- In baseball we trust.

by RobBobS on Aug 2, 2011 9:07 AM EDT up reply actions

Yes

Espinosa needs a few days off, hes in Werth mode right now, in Striking out almost every at bat. A few days off can do a guy wonders, look what the break did for Desmond and Werth.

by jeff550 on Aug 2, 2011 10:00 AM EDT up reply actions

It's unfortunate that Espi's numbers got worse after the break

I’m getting a little antsy trying to see how he’s going to adjust to the pitchers around the league, who are currently fully exploiting his various hitting weaknesses. I do think he should sit for a day or two, but really, I want him playing regularly to work his way out of it, just as I want Desmond to do the same.

Rob

-- In baseball we trust.

by RobBobS on Aug 2, 2011 10:06 AM EDT up reply actions

Sure, he's not hitting and could use a couple of days off

But he’s still the NL ROY if the season ended today and he needs to play through that. He’s a rookie and they’re up and down at times, it’s just part of their development. Desmond isn’t a good enough defensive shortstop to compensate for his bat. Espi’s had his ups and downs, but that’s part of being a rookie. He is extreme power and has had a fairly BABIP this year, so he’s been a bit unlucky. I say give Espi the AB’s to work through it and see what Lombardozzi can do.

by Pig.Pen on Aug 2, 2011 1:47 PM EDT up reply actions

For every reason you use to justify Espi playing through it

I say Desmond should get the same consideration.

Rob

-- In baseball we trust.

by RobBobS on Aug 2, 2011 1:59 PM EDT up reply actions

Craig Kimbrel disagrees...

Nothing against Danny, but Kimbrel’s gonna take the ROY IMO…

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 2, 2011 2:14 PM EDT up reply actions

I think it will go to Freeman

by jeff550 on Aug 2, 2011 2:16 PM EDT up reply actions

I don't see how Espi is even in real consideration for NL ROY anymore

I have Kimbrel, Freeman, and Vance Worley ahead of him.

by Brotato on Aug 2, 2011 3:02 PM EDT up reply actions

He could bring himself back into the conversation,

but that .221 BA is going to have to improve substantially.

Rob

-- In baseball we trust.

by RobBobS on Aug 2, 2011 3:22 PM EDT up reply actions

While I understand the frustration with Desi and Espi when they're struggling...

Rizzo has pretty clearly stated at times that he wants the two of them out there everyday and what happens at the plate isn’t going to affect their playing time as long as they’re concentrating on the defense…

Lombo will likely get a look in September just like Desi and Espi before him.

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 2, 2011 11:39 AM EDT up reply actions