Monday, May 02, 2005
Home Games #11-13 and Overall Game # 26
I was able to personally attend home games #11-12, but not #13.
Home Game: #11: Guillen, Schneider and Hernandez hit Home Runs:
This was an exciting game to watch. Liven Hernandez, the team's supposed ace (instead of last second addition fifth starter John Patterson, who currently appears to be the best starter), finally had a great game. Hernandez started off looking a little shaky, giving up one quick run in the top of the first, but shut down the Mets offense for the rest of the game. As the title mentions, three home runs were hit in Friday nights contest, all for the Nationals (Guillen's sixth, Schneider's 2nd, and Hernandez's sixth career, first this season). Two more runs were added when Castilla hit a double off the wall (the ESPN recap notes that it was a ground rule double, I don't recall it being a ground-rule double).
ESPN.com's recap.
Nationals.com recap.
Notes: I wasn't 100% positive until I checked the recap, but I've confirmed it. Nick Johnson's hitting streak has been broken, as he failed to get a hit in this game.
Home Game: #12: Rain Rain Everywhere, and the Playing Field is mud:
After an ear infection sidelined scheduled starter Zach Day, Tomo Ohka stepped in and pitched, I believe, his best game of the season. Ohka lasted five and 1/2 shutout innings until a thirty minute rain delay forced him from the game (lowering his ERA to 4.50). Majewski came in for the seventh and part of the 8th. Neither team could score a run in the seventh, but Majewski gave up three runs in the top of the 8th before being pulled (destroying his 0.00 ERA). While replacing Majewski with Hector Carrasco, Manager Robinson wandered over and continued an argument that seemed to have started at some point eariler in the game. I could be wrong, but it might have had something to do with the heavy rain and very swampy playing conditions. Whatever the argument was about, Robinson was ejected. Carrasco finished off the top of the 8th, and the umps decided to to delay the game again (the ESPN scoreboard has a 0 down for the Nationals 8th inning, but they didn't get a chance to bat). After the game was finally called, Ohka ended up with his 2nd win and Carrasco ended up with his first save. Oh, and driving home after the second rain delay started, I heard on the radio that it took the grounds crew something like thirty-two minutes to pull the tarp over the field. It was muddy, wet, the wind kept getting in the way, and the ground crew was shorthanded.
ESPN.com's recap.
Nationals.com recap.
Notes: Guillen was hit for his second and third times in the last two games in this game.
Home Game: # 13:
Did not attend, nor watch, nor listen to this game. My actions are unlikely to have caused them to lose, but I'll take it into consideration.
ESPN.com recap.
Nationals.com recap.
Notes: LHP Eischen broke his arm. He is expected to miss the next 8 to 12 weeks, leaving the club without an experienced major league level left-hander, though I assume LHP Horgan will be called up. Other than him, the club seemed to have few left-handers when I looked through their minor leagues the other day. Ok, my mistake. Horgan is doing horribly in the minors and has a sore shouldar. Apparently, the Nationals are considering calling up starter RHP Tony Armas, jr., or RHP Claudio Vargas. Vargas is listed as 6'3" 230 lbs and born 6/19/78. Vargas has started four games in AAA New Orleans and currently has a record of 1 and 2 with an ERA of 5.14. Armas is listed at the same height as Vargas, though 5 pounds smaller, and about 1 month younger. Armas has also started four games, going 1 and 2 with an ERA of 4.82 during those 18.2 innings pitched. Checking just AAA, the team currently has LHP's Matt White, Ed Yarnell, and Micah Bowie at New Orleans. White has pitched 7 innings in relief, with an ERA of 3.86. Yarnell has started 3 games at New Orleans and is 1-1 with an ERA of 4.61. Bowie apparently hasn't played yet at New Orleans because he is on the DL. Neither Yarnall nor White are on the 40-man roster.
AAA official website. Don't forget, Monday's Zephyrs promotion is Zatarain's Red Beans & Rice.
And it is MULLET MADNESS MONDAY at A level Savannah Sand Gnats.
Overall Game: # 26: Loaiza vs. Erickson
The 13-12 Nationals are in for a rough game tonight trying to stay above .500 as they face the 16 and 8 Los Angeles Dodgers.
Nationals.com preview of tonight's road game against LA. RHP Loaiza (0-2, 4.13 ERA) faces LA Dodgers for the tenth time, and the opposing pitcher will be ex-Oriole RHP Scott Erickson (1-2 7.20 ERA 2005).
Home Game: #11: Guillen, Schneider and Hernandez hit Home Runs:
This was an exciting game to watch. Liven Hernandez, the team's supposed ace (instead of last second addition fifth starter John Patterson, who currently appears to be the best starter), finally had a great game. Hernandez started off looking a little shaky, giving up one quick run in the top of the first, but shut down the Mets offense for the rest of the game. As the title mentions, three home runs were hit in Friday nights contest, all for the Nationals (Guillen's sixth, Schneider's 2nd, and Hernandez's sixth career, first this season). Two more runs were added when Castilla hit a double off the wall (the ESPN recap notes that it was a ground rule double, I don't recall it being a ground-rule double).
ESPN.com's recap.
Nationals.com recap.
Notes: I wasn't 100% positive until I checked the recap, but I've confirmed it. Nick Johnson's hitting streak has been broken, as he failed to get a hit in this game.
Home Game: #12: Rain Rain Everywhere, and the Playing Field is mud:
After an ear infection sidelined scheduled starter Zach Day, Tomo Ohka stepped in and pitched, I believe, his best game of the season. Ohka lasted five and 1/2 shutout innings until a thirty minute rain delay forced him from the game (lowering his ERA to 4.50). Majewski came in for the seventh and part of the 8th. Neither team could score a run in the seventh, but Majewski gave up three runs in the top of the 8th before being pulled (destroying his 0.00 ERA). While replacing Majewski with Hector Carrasco, Manager Robinson wandered over and continued an argument that seemed to have started at some point eariler in the game. I could be wrong, but it might have had something to do with the heavy rain and very swampy playing conditions. Whatever the argument was about, Robinson was ejected. Carrasco finished off the top of the 8th, and the umps decided to to delay the game again (the ESPN scoreboard has a 0 down for the Nationals 8th inning, but they didn't get a chance to bat). After the game was finally called, Ohka ended up with his 2nd win and Carrasco ended up with his first save. Oh, and driving home after the second rain delay started, I heard on the radio that it took the grounds crew something like thirty-two minutes to pull the tarp over the field. It was muddy, wet, the wind kept getting in the way, and the ground crew was shorthanded.
ESPN.com's recap.
Nationals.com recap.
Notes: Guillen was hit for his second and third times in the last two games in this game.
Home Game: # 13:
Did not attend, nor watch, nor listen to this game. My actions are unlikely to have caused them to lose, but I'll take it into consideration.
ESPN.com recap.
Nationals.com recap.
Notes: LHP Eischen broke his arm. He is expected to miss the next 8 to 12 weeks, leaving the club without an experienced major league level left-hander, though I assume LHP Horgan will be called up. Other than him, the club seemed to have few left-handers when I looked through their minor leagues the other day. Ok, my mistake. Horgan is doing horribly in the minors and has a sore shouldar. Apparently, the Nationals are considering calling up starter RHP Tony Armas, jr., or RHP Claudio Vargas. Vargas is listed as 6'3" 230 lbs and born 6/19/78. Vargas has started four games in AAA New Orleans and currently has a record of 1 and 2 with an ERA of 5.14. Armas is listed at the same height as Vargas, though 5 pounds smaller, and about 1 month younger. Armas has also started four games, going 1 and 2 with an ERA of 4.82 during those 18.2 innings pitched. Checking just AAA, the team currently has LHP's Matt White, Ed Yarnell, and Micah Bowie at New Orleans. White has pitched 7 innings in relief, with an ERA of 3.86. Yarnell has started 3 games at New Orleans and is 1-1 with an ERA of 4.61. Bowie apparently hasn't played yet at New Orleans because he is on the DL. Neither Yarnall nor White are on the 40-man roster.
AAA official website. Don't forget, Monday's Zephyrs promotion is Zatarain's Red Beans & Rice.
And it is MULLET MADNESS MONDAY at A level Savannah Sand Gnats.
Overall Game: # 26: Loaiza vs. Erickson
The 13-12 Nationals are in for a rough game tonight trying to stay above .500 as they face the 16 and 8 Los Angeles Dodgers.
Nationals.com preview of tonight's road game against LA. RHP Loaiza (0-2, 4.13 ERA) faces LA Dodgers for the tenth time, and the opposing pitcher will be ex-Oriole RHP Scott Erickson (1-2 7.20 ERA 2005).
