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Game 44 WPA: Not encouraging. Nats 4, SD 13

2013-05-19T23:25:08Z

Via Fangraphs (click to embiggen)

Not building on recent success: Dan Haren (-33.5%) strikes out 5 and walks 2 in 5 IP, but gives up 3 ER in the first, then 4 more in the 5th after the Nats threatened to catch up. Way to put it away!
Something good: Ryan Zimmerman (+12.0%) is 2-4 with a two-run bomb to get the Nats within 1 in the 4th (+16.2%).
Okay, more good stuff: Adam LaRoche (+0.8%) extends his hit streak with a two-RBI hit to get the Nats within 2 in the 6th (+6.9%), while Steve Lombardozzi (+8.3%) is 3-5 with a double and 2 runs scored.
Back to the horrible: Ryan Mattheus (-9.6%) melts down to the tune of 5 ER in the 7th (with no Ks and 2 BBs), putting the game back out of reach.
To end on a positive note: Henry Rodriguez (-0.9%) throws a scoreless 6th, working around a walk, an ROE, 3 SB allowed, and a WP! He still gets negative WPA for some reason, perhaps for pure baseball aesthetics.
Nope, more bad: Danny Espinosa (-6.1%) and Tyler Moore (-10.1%) go 0-8 with 3 LOB. Drew Storen (-0.0%) gives up an HR and a HBP in his aeyth inning side session.

Washington Nationals Settle For Split In San Diego: 13-4 Padres In Series Finale With Nats

2013-05-19T23:17:26Z

Sunny San Diego, California's spacious Petco Park was the setting for the series finale between the Padres and visiting Washington Nationals Sunday afternoon. Padres' right-hander Andrew Cashner, acquired from Chicago in the January 2012 trade that sent first baseman Anthony Rizzo to Cubs, was coming off back-to-back seven and a 1/3 inning starts in which he'd surrendered just nine hits and two runs, one earned while holding opposing hitters to a .184/.259/.306 line in wins over the Miami Marlins and Baltimore Orioles. The 26-year-old, '08 1st Round pick needed eight pitches to retire the Nats' batters in order in the top of the first today.

Padres' shortstop Everth Cabrera injured himself coming out of the box as he singled to center off Nationals' starter Dan Haren in the home-half of the frame, but he stayed in the game, stole his 16th base of the year and the 21st in 23 attempts against Nats' catcher Kurt Suzuki this season before an out was recorded. Haren got Will Venable swinging for out no.1 of the Padres' first, but a wild pitch to Chase Headley allowed Cabrera to advance to third with one down before Headley walked to set up the double play. Carlos Quentin didn't play into the pitcher's hands, however, doubling to left field instead to drive in the first run of the game. 1-0 Padres. 2-0 on a sac fly to right by Yonder Alonso. A two-out single by third brought Quentin in too to make it 3-0 before Dan Haren escaped the first. 27-pitch frame.

Adam LaRoche took a 1-2 fastball for a called strike three in his first AB of the game. Another 1-2 heater outside on the other side of the dish got Tyler Moore looking for out and K no.2 for Cashner and a pop to left by Roger Bernadina ended nine-pitch inning that had the Padres' starter at 17 total after two scoreless vs the Nats. Cashner bunted for a hit with one down in the San Diego second, beating a diving underhand throw by Ryan Zimmerman to first. Haren got fly ball outs from Everth Cabrera and Will Venable for outs two and three to finish a 13-pitch inning at 40 overall after two.

Danny Espinosa flew out to left for the first out of the third. Espinosa who started at short today, was 1 for 21 on the current road trip after the out, and he was the seventh-straight National set down by Cashner to start the game. Kurt Suzuki, who broke up Padres' starter Eric Stults' no-hit bid in the sixth Saturday night, got the Nats' first hit today with one down in the top of the third when he got a grounder through short for a one-out single. Dan Haren K'd trying to bunt for out no.2, and Denard Span grounded into a force at second to end the Nationals' third. The 16-pitch inning had Cashner at 33 after three scoreless. Haren started the bottom of the inning at 40 pitches. Chase Headley lined the 43rd pitch to right for a single, then stole second base one out later. [ed. note - "Update: Suzuki 2 caught stealing in 24 attempts."] A Yonder Alonso fly to center allowed Headley to take third, but after a two-out walk to Jedd Gyorko, Kyle Blanks K'd on a check-swing strike three to end the third. 19-pitch inning, 59 overall for Haren after three.

Steve Lombardozzi lined a first pitch change back at the mound and off Andrew Cashner's glove, then beat a nice throw by Chase Headley to first for a leadoff single. Ryan Zimmerman got the green light, but fouled a 3-0 pitch from Cashner off before launching the 3-1 offering (another change) to left for a long-gone bomb of a home run that made it a one-run game when it landed in the second deck. 3-2 Padres after Zimmerman's 3rd and his second this series. No doubter. Roger Bernadina walked with two down, taking the first free pass of the day from Cashner, and stole second successfully, but a popout to third by Danny Espinosa ended the Nats' fourth. 1 for 22 on the trip for the struggling Espinosa. Dan Haren's 61st pitch got a pop behind second from San Diego backstop Nick Hundley for the first out of the Padres' fourth. Andrew Casher flew out and Everth Cabrera struck out in the next two at bats, and Haren was at 72 overall after a 13-pitch frame.

Andrew Cashner retired the first two Nationals in the fifth, but Denard Span hit a slow chopper toward short and beat the throw to first from Everth Cabrera for a two-out hit. Span went first-to-third™ on a two-out single to right by Steve Lombardozzi, but a groundout to short by Ryan Zimmerman ended the top of the inning. Still 3-2 Padres. Make that 4-2. Will Venable got hold of 1-2 cutter from Dan Haren and hit a towering home run to the Petco Porch in right on the 77th pitch of the game by the Nats' right-hander. Two-run lead for San Diego. Two-outs later, Yonder Alonso doubled over short and to the left field wall for the Padres' sixth hit off Haren. Alonso scored on a two-out double to left by Jedd Gyorko. 5-2 Padres. And make that 7-2 after Kyle Blanks hit the second home run of the inning off the brick face of the second floor Western Metal Supply Co. building in left field. Two-run home run for Blanks, 7-2 Padres.

Will Venable tracked down a long fly to center off Tyler Moore's bat for the second out of the Nationals' sixth. Roger Bernadina lined a triple to right-center gap with two down, but he was stranded at third when Danny Espinosa K'd swinging on three straight fastballs to end the inning. [ed. note - "Espinosa Update: 1 for 23, 12 Ks on road trip."] 7-2 Padres after five and a half in Petco Park. Henry Rodriguez apparently forgot about the runner on first base, so Everth Cabrera, who grounded into a force but reached safely, stole second and then third, making Kurt Suzuki's CS% a little worse. (24 of 26 successful SBs vs Suzuki so far in 2013). Adam LaRoche threw Venable out at home, however, when Will Venable grounded sharply to first and the Nats' drawn-in infield in the next at bat. 25 of 27 SBs vs Suzuki after Venable swiped second and a wild pitch moved the runner to third before Chase Headley walked to put two on with two out, but a called strike three on Carlos Quentin ended San Diego's sixth. 7-2 Padres.

Andrew Cashner left the game after giving up a two-out single by Denard Span in the seventh. Steve Lombardozzi lined to left for a double off the new Padres' pitcher Tim Stauffer, moving Span around to third. Ryan Zimmerman stepped in with two on and two out, and lined to right to drive one run in and make it 7-3 San Diego. Adam LaRoche, who was 0 for 3 today, got another chance to extend his current hit streak to 16 games. The Padres brought lefty Joe Thatcher on to face LaRoche, and the Nats' first baseman lined to center for hits in 16-straight and an RBI single. 7-4 San Diego, but Tyler Moore grounded sharply to third to end the top of the seventh.

Yonder Alonso was 2 for 3 today after singling to start the Padres' seventh. Alonso moved to second on a balk before Ryan Mattheus walked Jedd Gyorko and then to third when Kyle Blanks took another free pass. A sac fly to left by Nick Hundley brought Alonso in to make it 8-4 San Diego. 9-4 on Alexi Amarista's line drive single to left. Everth Cabrera drove in two more with a line drive to center, 11-4 and a Will Venable double made it 12. 12-4 Padres after seven in San Diego.

RIght-hander Tyson Ross took over for San Diego in the eighth with a backwards K on a frustrated Roger Bernadina, who had a word with home plate umpire D.J. Reyburn after he'd K'd. Danny Espinosa's groundout left him 0 for 4 today and 1 for 24 w/ 12 Ks on the road trip. After Kurt Suzuki flew out to end the Nats' eighth, Yonder Alonso started the home-half of the frame with a solo home run to right off Drew Storen. 13-4 San Diego after eight. 13 runs, 15 hits. The Nationals settle for the split of the four-game set in Petco Park. Tyson Ross came back out for the ninth and walked the first batter he faced, Jhonatan Solano, but Denard Span grounded into his first double play of the year. And Steve Lombardozzi grounded to second to end it. Ballgame.

Padres win, 13-4 final.

Nationals now 23-21

Washington Nationals' Sunday Lineup: Dan Haren vs The San Diego Padres In Petco Park

2013-05-19T18:53:53Z

Talking to MLB Network Radio hosts Jim Bowden and Casey Stern about the Washington Nationals' offseason acquisitions, D.C. GM Mike Rizzo praised the work 32-year-old right-hander Dan Haren has done to improve with each start as a National. "After a couple of poor starts to begin the season," Rizzo said, "his last four of five starts have [gone] extremely well and I think you've seen him getting better and better and better each and every start. I think you take away that one start in Cincinnati where we lost 15-0, I think his numbers are extremely good and [he] really has given us the support at the bottom of the rotation that we expected and we hoped for."

With Haren's outing in Great American Ballpark included, which saw him surrender nine hits and six runs, four on home runs (and yes, some just made it out; Great American Smallpark, etc.), the right-hander is (4-4) with a 4.76 ERA, six walks (1.19 BB/9) and eight home runs (1.59 HR/9) allowed in 45.1 IP in which he's struck out 31 (6.15 K/9). Subtract that start and Haren's (4-3) with a 3.92 ERA, six walks (1.31 BB/9), 26 Ks (5.66 K/9) and four home runs (0.87 HR/9) allowed in 41.1 IP. In three starts in May, Haren's down to a 3.00 ERA, 3.65 FIP and a .213/.241/.300 line against after posting a 6.29 ERA and 5.45 FIP and having opposing hitters put up a .349/.395/.589 line against him in his first month+ with the Nationals.

Haren takes the mound for the ninth time this season this afternoon in Petco Park where the veteran of 11 MLB seasons is (2-2) with a 3.49 ERA, six home runs (0.95 HR/9), 11 walks (1.75 BB/9) and 53 Ks (8.42 K/9) over nine games, eight starts and 56.2 IP in his career. Here's the lineup that will be supporting Haren against the San Diego Padres:

Today's lineup at SDP: Span CF, Lombardozzi 2B, Zimmerman 3B, LaRoche 1B, Moore LF, Bernadina RF, Espinosa SS, Suzuki C, Haren P
— Nationals PR (@NationalsPR) May 19, 2013

Ian Desmond's getting what is reportedly a scheduled day off, so Danny Espinosa's in at short. So far on the Nationals' road trip, the Espinosa is 1 for 20 with 11 Ks. As the Nats' GM explained in the MLB Network Radio interview, the team needs to see a more consistent approach from the 26-year-old infielder, "... not only physically, but preparation-wise and the thought process." In measuring his value, however, Rizzo said, you have to consider that he's a, "... guy that's playing second base that's your backup shortstop and you can throw at shortstop and not miss a beat defensively, that's [an] extremely important player to have." Espinosa makes his first start of the year at short this afternoon in the series finale in San Diego. 4:10 pm EST from Petco Park.

Washington Nationals Rewind: Bud Black And Davey Johnson On Jordan Zimmermann And Eric Stults

2013-05-19T09:37:11Z

A scouting report on the Washington Nationals heading into Saturday night's game against the San Diego Padres and veteran left-hander Eric Stults would surely have noted the defending NL East Champs' .194/.268/.299 line vs LHP, which had them dead last in the National League in each of the three team stats. The Nats' offense produced like one that struggles against left-handed pitching, getting no-hit through five before Kurt Suzuki singled to center in the first at bat of the Nationals' sixth.

Washington managed just four hits and one run against San Diego on Saturday night, and they lost 2-1 in spite of a strong start on the part of right-hander Jordan Zimmermann, who surrendered seven hits and two runs, one earned, in eight innings pitched over which he threw just 85 pitches, 60 of them strikes. Stults threw 89 pitches, 62 of them for strikes over eight innings. Zimmermann induced nine ground balls outs and struck out six of the 30 batters he faced. Stults struck out five and got 11 groundouts from the 28 Nats' batters he plowed through.

The Padres' manager was impressed with Zimmermann's work on the mound in Petco Park.

"I thought today, more than what we've seen just in video in [Zimmermann's] past games, the use of the changeup came into play." - Bud Black on Jordan Zimmermann vs the Padres

"He was efficient," Bud Black said, "both pitchers were really efficient. You look at the ball-to-strike ratio [for] both guys. Zimmermann was outstanding in that regard, so was 'Stultsy'. I thought today, more than what we've seen just in video in [Zimmermann's] past games, the use of the changeup came into play. He's got a nice, tight slider, no doubt about it, but I thought the use of the changeup, especially early in the count to our guys, was something that we didn't project going into this game and he used it to his advantage."

Zimmermann told reporters it was an adjustment he made in-game in reaction to the Padres trying to jump on his fastball early in the count. "I'm going to throw strikes and get ahead," Zimmerman said, "and I noticed the first couple innings they were bouncing on my first pitch fastball, so I mixed up some offspeed and got them to roll over and I think I had like a five or six-pitch inning mixed in there so that's going to help the pitch count."

"He pitched very well," Black continued, "You know, this guy's a bulldog. You look at his internal numbers, [they] are outstanding. Look at his record, his ERA, this guy has come into his own after his Tommy John surgery. He's a guy, there's no doubt about it, he's one of the best pitchers in the Nationals League. And to beat him in a low-scoring, tight game. Kudos to our guys."

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"We're not hitting very smart," Johnson said, "I mean, we're swinging at his changeups around the knees or in the dirt. We're not making him throw the ball over -- you know, it's a sign of some inexperienced hitters at times - Davey Johnson on Nats' offense vs Stults

Nats' skipper Davey Johnson was impressed with both starters, but bothered by the fact that his hitters didn't take advantage of what the scouting reports told them about Stults. "We're not hitting very smart," Johnson said bluntly, "I mean, we're swinging at his changeups around the knees or in the dirt. We're not making him throw the ball over -- you know, it's a sign of some inexperienced hitters at times. And you've got to be more patient than that against a guy like this. And that's... we're still growing. We're still growing as an offense. And some young guys just need to be a little more patient. Don't try to hit a pitcher's pitch. And that's been some of the problems all year offensively."

"[Stults] didn't have a very good fastball," Johnson said, "But you don't look for the junk because he's going to throw the junk out of the zone and have you chasing it. Make him throw it over, make him get it up, and we, all night long we're swinging at... we'll learn."

"[Zimmermann] pitched an unbelievable game. He swung the bat better than most of the guys in the lineup and it's a waste we couldn't pull that one out..." - Davey Johnson on Jordan Zimmermann vs Padres

Johnson had nothing but good things to say about his own starter.

"[Zimmermann] pitched an unbelievable game," the manager said, "He pitched an unbelievable game. He swung the bat better than most of the guys in the lineup and it's a waste we couldn't pull that one out, it's a tough loss."

In addition to what he did on the mound, Zimmermann was 1 for 1 with two sac bunts at the plate. "Zim pitched his heart out, did a great job offensively, got a couple guys over and swung the bat, wanted to give him every chance to win, we just couldn't get it done." The Nationals have taken two of the first three from the Padres. They can win the series tomorrow afternoon in the finale of the four-game set in San Diego.

Washington Nationals' Jordan Zimmermann Throws 85 Pitches Over Eight Innings In 2-1 Loss To San Diego Padres

2013-05-19T05:10:30Z

"I feel like I haven't changed anything all year, or changed anything from last year," then-(7-1), 26-year-old Washington Nationals' starter Jordan Zimmermann told reporters after the Nats' 6-2 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers this past Tuesday night in Dodger Stadium in Chavez Ravine. Zimmermann was asked what was different this time around that could account for his early-season success. "It's just the way the ball is bouncing right now," Zimmermann said, "And I'm pitching to contact, throwing strikes and I feel if I keep that up I'm going to have a lot more quality starts."

If there was one difference, Zimmermann said it was the offense the Nationals had generated in his starts. "It's just, getting a lot more run support this year," the right-hander said, "which is always good."

So, of course, Zimmerman threw eight innings on 85 pitches Saturday night in San Diego, and lost 2-1 to the Padres on a pick attempt gone wrong that moved the eventual winning run into scoring position after he and his teammates managed just four hits and one run off left-hander Eric Stults over eight innings in the second-longest start of the Padres' 33-year-old, seven-year veteran's major league career.

"It's baseball," Zimmermann said after the one-run loss in the third game of four with the Padres. "We're not going to hit every night and tonight was one of those nights. Their guy threw great and we just couldn't quite get to him."

"We're not going to hit every night and tonight was one of those nights. Their guy threw great and we just couldn't quite get to him." - Jordan Zimmermann on 2-1 loss to Padres

The Padres scored the second of the two runs they needed to beat the Nationals in the bottom of the eighth when Alexi Amarista botched a sac bunt attempt, but reached first safely, took second on Zimmermann's errant throw by first on the aforementioned pick attempt and scored on a line drive single to center by Everth Cabrera. The other run of the two the Padres scored came in the bottom of the second when 26-year-old San Diego slugger Yonder Alonso hit his fifth home run of the year and just the third Zimmermann's surrendered in 66.2 IP this season into the Petco Porch in right field.

"I just made two mistakes," Zimmermann told reporters after the loss, using a variation of the cliche which was actually true in this case.

"The home run to Alonso, it was a good pitch. It was up. You can't really complain about that. But the throwing error by me, down the line is what cost us." - Jordan Zimmermann on "two mistakes" he made in loss

"The home run to Alonso, it was a good pitch. It was up. You can't really complain about that. But the throwing error by me, down the line is what cost us. I mean, if I don't make that, we're still out there playing." The Nationals' starter said he just pulled the throw to first as he attempted to check the runner and it got by the Gold Glove of Adam LaRoche and into foul territory. When he was throwing the ball toward home, Zimmermann was at the top of his game again tonight. He finished eight innings on 85 pitches, induced nine ground ball outs and struck out six of the 30 batters he faced, retiring ten in a row at one point.

The Padres' hitters were aggressive all night, which Zimmermann liked. "That's perfect for me," the pitch-to-contact advocate said, "I'm going to throw strikes and get ahead and I noticed the first couple innings they were bouncing on my first pitch fastball, so I mixed up some offspeed and got them to roll over and I think I had like a five or six-pitch inning mixed in there so that's going to help the pitch count."

Zimmermann was being modest, or just honestly didn't know, but he actually had a four-pitch inning in the fourth, and was at 41 pitches after four in Petco Park. He followed that up with an eleven-pitch fifth, an eight-pitch sixth, thirteen-pitch seventh and twelve-pitch eighth that had him up to 85 after eight. Did he think Davey Johnson would have sent him back out for bottom of the ninth if the Nationals had tied it?

"I was hoping so," Zimmermann said, "I mean, I was at 85 pitches and I definitely had plenty left in the tank."

"I was at 85 pitches and I definitely had plenty left in the tank." - Jordan Zimmermann on if he was ready for the 9th

The Nationals' starter's errant throw was the second of the night by a pitcher. Eric Stults committed the first in the third inning. The left-hander walked Kurt Suzuki with one down. The Nationals decided to have Zimmermann bunt, but when he rolled one back to the mound, Stults threw to first and right through covering second baseman Jedd Gyorko's legs. The error moved both Nats' runners into scoring position, but Denard Span lined into an odd 1-3 DP in the next AB in one of several instances in which the Nationals squandered opportunities.

Span sent a low liner back to the mound that bounced off Eric Stults' leg right to first base and first baseman Yonder Alonso, who looked Suzuki back at third and stepped on first, then ran over to tag out the Nationals' catcher when he realized Zimmermann had already arrived at third behind his catcher. Zimmermann took off from second when he saw the ball bounce off Stults, but didn't realize it had gone right to Alonso. "I was taking off and I look up," Zimmermann said, "And I didn't really know what happened till the following inning and they said it was off his foot right to the first baseman, so that's kind of the way our luck's been going."

Game 43 WPA: Vintage! Nats 1, Pads 2

2013-05-19T03:17:14Z

Via Fangraphs (click to embiggen)

Another wasted CG: Jordan Zimmermann (-1.0% pitching, +10.3% hitting) goes 8 IP, fanning 6 and walking none, giving up a single ER. Too bad the losing unearned run got in scoring position from his errant pickoff throw. He also singled and reached on error on a sac bunt.
Hero/not-hero: Steve Lombardozzi (+2.0%) drives in the tying run in the 6th (+16.5%), as well as GDPing to squelch a first-inning rally (-7.2%), and gets caught stealing twice, including the back end of a strike 'em out, throw 'em out in the 9th (-12.6%).
Streaking: Adam LaRoche (+4.6%) is 1-3 with a walk. Kurt Suzuki (+6.0%) is 1-2 with a walk.
More unhelpful people: Denard Span (-23.2%) hits into a fluky circus-baserunning DP after bouncing a line-drive off the pitcher to defuse a runners 2nd/3rd scoring chance in the 3rd (-16.5%). Ryan Zimmerman (-16.9%) is 0-3 with the front of the 9th-inning K+CS DP (-10.3%). Ian Desmond (-16.6%) is 0-4.
Not the worst today! Danny Espinosa (-8.3%) is 0-3 with 2 Ks.

Washington Nationals Drop 2-1 Decision To San Diego Padres After Botched Pick Attempt In Bottom Of The Eighth

2013-05-19T02:43:59Z

The Washington Nationals entered tonight's game against veteran lefty Eric Stults with a National League low .194 AVG against left-handed pitchers. The Nats' .268 OBP was the NL's lowest as well. The .299 SLG was the 15th of 15 as was their .247 BABIP as a team. They got a leadoff walk by Denard Span to get off to a good start in the third game of four with the San Diego Padres this weekend, but a 6-3 DP and swinging K followed in what ended up being a 13-pitch inning Stults, a 33-year-old, seven-year veteran and one-time Dodger, Rockie and White Sock. Luckily for the Nationals, they had Jordan Zimmermann on the mound, who's done to hitters on both sides of the plate what lefites have done to the Nats so far this season. Opponents had a .197/.232/.272 line and a .230 BABIP (5th lowest in the NL) against the Nats' 26-year-old right-hander before tonight, and Zimmermann threw a quick, 10-pitch, 1-2-3 first in Petco Park, collecting two Ks along the way.

Stults needed nine pitches to retire the Nationals in order in a quick, 1-2-3 top of the second. The second pitch of the Padres' second was crushed. San Diego slugger Yonder Alonso got hold of a 1-0 fastball up high inside from Jordan Zimmermann and hit what was just the third home run this season off the Nationals' starter to give the Padres a 1-0 lead in Petco Park. Alonso's fifth. Mark Kotsay singled to center in the next at bat, but a flyout to center and a 5-4-3 DP ended the bottom of the inning after just 10 pitches. 20 overall for Zimmermann after two.

Danny Espinosa K'd looking to start the third, leaving him 1 for 18 with 10 Ks so far on the Nationals' west coast road trip. Kurt Suzuki walked with one down and then went first-to-third™ on Jordan Zimmermann's sac bunt attempt when Eric Stults' throw to first went through Jedd Gyorko's wickets. #5Hole. Second and third with one down, but a line drive back to the mound bounced off Stolts' leg and right to first base where Yonder Alonso made the play, looked Suzuki back and stepped on the bag before running over to third where Jordan Zimmermann and Suzuki were both caught at the base. A brief, sort-of-rundown ensued that ended with the Nats' catcher being tagged out for an inning-ending 1-3 DP.

Everth Cabrera battled for six pitches before singling to center after Jordan Zimmermann had quickly dispatched the first two Padres in the bottom of the third. Will Venable grounded into a force at second in the next at bat, however, and the Nats' right-handed starter was through three on 37 pitches after a 17-pitch frame.

The Nationals went down in order in a 12-pitch, 1-2-3 fourth that had Eric Stults at 50 pitches overall after four innings in which he hadn't allowed a hit. Jordan Zimmermann got the first out of the Padres' fourth with one pitch to Chase Headley, who grounded weakly to first. Five groundouts for Zimmermann in 3.1 IP. Yonder Alonso flew to center on a 1-0 change after crushing a fastball the first time up. A groundout to second by Mark Kotsay ended a four-pitch inning that had Zimmermann at 41 overall after four.

The Nationals went down in order in an 8-pitch, 1-2-3 fifth that had Eric Stults at 58 pitches overall after five innings in which he hadn't allowed a hit. Danny Espinosa entered the bat-throwing competition and got a nice toss in as he K'd swinging to end the inning and leave himself 1 for 19 with 11 Ks on the road trip. A groundout to third by Jedd Gyorko and a fly to right on a 3-1 fastball by Chris Denorfia had Jordan Zimmermann through 4.2 on 47 pitches. John Baker battled for five pitches before he went down swinging on the Nats' starter's 52nd pitch of the night. Still 1-0 Padres.

The Nationals went down in ord... actually Kurt Suzuki singled to start the Nats' sixth. Jordan Zimmermann successfully bunted Suzuki over again this time up, and Yonder Alonso made a successful throw to first this time where Stults had erred. Denard Span flew to center for out no.2, however, and Steve Lombardozzi lined ou-- Lombo lined a single to right to bring Suzuki in and tie it. 1-1 game after five and a half in San Diego. Lombardozzi got caught trying to steal second for out no.3 of the Nats' sixth. The Padres' half of the inning started with groundout no.8 and the eighth straight batter set down when Eric Stults rolled one over to LaRoche at first. Zimmermann dropped a 1-2 slider in on Everth Cabrera's back foot for a swinging K and the ninth-straight Padre retired. A pop to short by Will Venable made it an even 10. The eight-pitch inning had Zimmermann at 60 overall.

Adam LaRoche singled with one down in the seventh to extend his current hit-streak to 15 games, but two outs later he was stranded when Padres' starter Eric Stults retired Ian Desmond and Tyler Moore in quick succession. After LaRoche's streak was extended, Jordan Zimmermann's streak ended when he hit leadoff man Chase Headley with a slider to put the leadoff man on in San Diego's seventh. Yonder Alonso lined a single to right in the next at bat, connecting for his second and the fourth overall hit off the Nats' starter in 6.0+ IP. Mark Kotsay flew out to center unproductively for out no.1 of the inning. Jedd Gyorko flew to right for out no.2. Chris Denorfia had an infield single with sharp grounder to short, but after diving to make the play, Ian Desmond threw to third, behind Chase Headley and caught the runner sleeping for out no.3. Still 1-1. 73 pitches for Zimmermann after a 13-pitch frame.

Jordan Zimmermann tried to help his own cause with a two-out single in the Nationals' eighth, but he was forced out at second on a grounder up the middle by Denard Span. 1-1 in San Diego after seven and a half. John Baker lined a single to left in the first at bat of the Padres' eighth, but pinch hitter Alexi Amarista dropped a bunt right in front of the plate allowing an aggressive Kurt Suzuki to cut the lead runner down at second. Amarista was left at first, however, and he took second on a botched pick attempt before scoring on an RBI single to center by Everth Cabrera that made it 2-1 Padres in the bottom of the eighth. A stolen base by Cabrera put another runner in scoring position with one down, but a lineout to second by Will Venable and a swinging K by Chase Headley ended the eighth after 12 pitches with Zimmermann at 85 overall after eight.

Huston Street came on to close out the win... and walked the first batter he faced, Steve Lombardozzi, but Lombo got doubled up on a hit-and-run gone wrong when Ryan Zimmerman K'd swinging at a 3-2 fastball and Padres' catcher John Baker threw a strike to second. Adam LaRoche stepped in as the Nats' only hope and got ahead 3-0 and took a four-pitch, two-out walk that brought Ian Desmond up, but a pop to second baseman Jedd Gyorko in short right ended it. Ballgame. Padres win, 2-1 final.

Nationals now 23-20

Washington Nationals' Saturday Lineup: Bryce Harper Sits With Knee Soreness; Jayson Werth; Ross Detwiler Updates

2013-05-18T23:36:37Z

Count me among those surprised that as hard as Bryce Harper hit the right field fence in Dodger Stadium earlier this week, he was able to get back into the lineup. According to reports today, there are some lingering effects. Harper's out of the lineup tonight with what reporters on the scene in San Diego say is a sore left knee:

Bryce Harper will miss today and likely tomorrow with a bruised left knee. He had an MRI on his abdomen yesterday, which came back clean.
— Adam Kilgore (@AdamKilgoreWP) May 18, 2013

Bryce Harper said his left knee is barking a little, still sore from wall collision. Thinking a day or two. Wants to be ready for SF
— Amanda Comak (@acomak) May 18, 2013

Bryce Harper is not playing today becauseof a sore left knee. #Nats #Nationals #MLB
— William Ladson (@washingnats) May 18, 2013

It's not all that surprising, considering Nats' GM Mike Rizzo, in an interview earlier this week on 160.7 the FAN in D.C., compared the bruising Harper sustained in the collision as being similar to that which one suffers in a car accident:

"He's sore like any kind of accident you get into. It's kind of a little bit like if you get into a car crash or something, get into a fender bender where you just get jostled or an airbag hits you or something like that, you're just sore and that's where he's at right now."

"He's sore on the left side of his body, which is the side that took the brunt of the collision, but other than that, once the soreness is gone he'll be able to perform for us." Harper returned to the lineup and went 2 for 9 with a home run in the last three games, but he's not going to be in the lineup tonight.

As for other injury updates, here's what the Twittering class had to report tonight:

Jayson Werth now gone to Chicago to see another specialist, Davey said. Hammy still tightening when he breaks out of box. Aiming for Fri
— Amanda Comak (@acomak) May 18, 2013

Jayson Werth seeing a specialist in Chicago for hamstring, will return Friday at earliest.
— Adam Kilgore (@AdamKilgoreWP) May 18, 2013

Ross Detwiler had a third MRI done today & another specialist will look at it. Then #nats will know extent of injury.
— Amanda Comak (@acomak) May 18, 2013

Here's tonight's lineup:

Today's lineup at SDP: Span, CF; Lombardozzi, LF; Zimmerman, 3B; LaRoche, 1B; Desmond, SS; Moore, RF; Espinosa, 2B; Suzuki, C; Zimmermann, P
— Nationals PR (@NationalsPR) May 18, 2013

Game Time 8:40 pm EST tonight from San Diego