Chris Volstad vs Daniel Cabrera - Round 2...
Today's starters matched up in the finale of the three game series the Florida Marlins and the Washington Nationals played to open the '09 season last week. Daniel Cabrera took the loss, allowing 7 hits, 5 runs and 2 walks while striking out 4 over 6.0 IP. Volstad gave up just 2 hits and 2 runs in 5.0 innings in the win, walking 4 and striking out 7. Volstad improved on that performance in his second outing of '09 against Atlanta, surrendering just 1 run on 3 hits in 7.0 innings, and improving to (2-0) on the season while lowering his ERA further to 1.50 in 12.0 innings. Cabrera gave up 6 hits and 4 runs at home against Philadelphia when his second turn came around, but only 1 of the runs was earned, and the Nationals tied the game in the bottom of the fifth after Cabrera had been lifted.
Kearns To NY?
In an mlbtraderumors.com post by Ben Nicholson-Smith entitled, "Yankees Outfield Options", Mr. Nicholson-Smith links to a NY Post article by George A. King III entitled, "Nady Likely X-Punged For Year", in which the NY Post writer mentions LA Dodgers' outfield Jason Repko and DC's own Austin Kearns as possible replacements in the NY outfield for Xavier Nady, writing simply that:
"The Nationals are said to be entertaining offers for Kearns."
(ed. note - "I'm not sure if that even qualifies as a rumor...?")
Bard or Nieves?
MLB.com's Bill Ladson, in a post at his blog entitled, "Nats must make decision on backup catcher", mentions that the Nationals will need to make room of the roster for Jordan Zimmermann before his debut on Monday, and either Wil Nieves or Josh Bard is going to have to go...and if you attempt read between the lines, as I'm always wont to, Mr. Ladson writes, "Bard is know for his bat, while Nieves has a reputation for being great behind the plate." And then in the next sentence, Mr. Ladson continues:
"Manager Manny Acta said in the right situtation, a team would be looking for a person with defensive skills."
DC Starting Lineup...(From Washington Post writer Chico Harlan, who cautions that this is the lineup, "(...barring injuries, tardiness, and other means of interference"), with "interference" meaning the threat of rain late this afternoon...")
- A-Hands - 2B
- "Two-Spot" Johnson - 1B
- THE KIDS CALL HIM ZIM!!! - 3B
- The Big Walky - LF
- Elijah "Super" Dukes - CF
- AK - RF
- WWJD? - C
- The General - SS
- DC's Own DC Daniel Cabrera Firing From The Hill...
Jordan Zimmerman(n) is coming...
(1-1) in 3 starts and 2 relief appearances this Spring, 22-year-old right-hander Jordan Zimmerman(n) posted a 3.14 ERA in 14.1 IP in which he allowed 15 hits, 5 ER and 2 walks with 20 K's, a 1.05 WHIP and a .254 BAA. Sent to Syracuse to wait until the Nationals would need a fifth starter, Zimmerman(n) got one start in, throwing 5.1 innings and allowing 5 hits and 3 ER on 2 HR's, while walking one and striking out 4. Tomorrow's start will be Zimmerman(n)'s MLB debut, and he'll be the second member of the Nationals' '07 Draft class to arrive in the majors, following #1 overall pick Ross Detwiler, who threw an inning of relief against Atlanta in early September of '07.
Game Time Today 1:35 pm EST
Check the NatCast if you're heading to Nationals Park...(ed. note - "There are rumors of late game showers...")
Who's Watching The Nationals?
