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Tuesday, August 16, 2005

 

Nationals Win 6-3; Tonight: Drese's 7.20 ERA against Phillies batters versus Lidle's 1.93 ERA against the Nationals batters

Nationals Fourth Win in a Row:

The Nationals took an early lead by knocking in three runs off of two home-runs in the top of the first (by Johnson and Wilson), but the Phillies responded quickly and scored two runs in the bottom of the first. Neither team scored in the second, but in the third, the Nationals added two more runs off of another 2-run home-run by Wilson pushing the score to 5-2. Schneider hit a home-run in the 8th to make it 6-2, and the Phillies managed one more run in the bottom of the ninth to push the score to 6-3, but that was all.

Hernandez pitched 8 solid innings for his 14th win, giving him a record of 14 and 5. He gave up 2 runs, 2 walks and 5 hits while striking out 3 off of 113 pitches (73 strikes). Cordero pitched the 9th and gave up 1 unearned run (GUZMAN). Unlike Ladson's article, mentioned below, Cordero is not credited with a save by ESPN.com.

Winning Line-Up:
B Wilkerson RF 2 for 5, 1 double .256
J Vidro 2B 0 for 5, .278
N Johnson 1B 1 for 4, 1 solo HR (12; 1st inning), 1 RBI (55), 1 SO .314
J Guillen LF 2 for 3, 2 R 1 BB 1 SO .303
P Wilson CF 2 for 4, 2 2 run HR (20 & 21; 1st and 3rd inning), 4 RBI (65) .257
B Schneider C 1 for 3, 1 solo HR (9; 8th inning), 1 RBI (34), 1 BB, .291
V Castilla 3B 1 for 4, .241
C Guzman SS 0 for 4, 1 SO, .188
L Hernandez P 1 for 3, .242

ERROR: 1 - Guzman (his 14th).

Important point from the Toronto Sun article: Wilson's second home run was protested because the other side thought a fan reached over the fence and interfered with the ball. "Television replays were inconclusive." And: "Thanks to a 5-1 road trip and the $1 hot dogs, the Phillies had a walk-up crowd of more than 7,600 fans."

Important quote from the SI.com "Road Rules" article:

Brett Myers (10-6) couldn't overcome three two-out homers. He gave up five runs, six hits and struck out five in six innings.

Nationals.com recap (Bill Ladson notes that Cordero picked up his 38th save in the game, but I thought he had already picked up his 38th save). Nationals.com article about Church and his new role. ESPN.com recap, box score.

I mentioned in an earlier post the interesting incident where Hernandez threw his glove into the stands and then later wanted it back. Well here's the continuation of that story (found in the Church aritcle above):

No deal: On Aug. 5 at RFK Stadium, when he was taken out of the game against the Padres in the sixth inning, Hernandez threw his glove, jacket and hat into the stands. Later, he wanted the glove back, but a fan left the stadium with it.
Ten days later, that fan told Mike Wallace, the Nationals' clubhouse manager, that he would return the glove for $18,000. He also wanted season tickets as well as tickets for playoff games. Hernandez quickly refused.
"The glove has no value," said Hernandez. "It doesn't have my name on it."



NL East:
Nationals return to the number two slot, 5 games back from the Braves.
Braves 68-50
Nationals 63-55 5.0 GB
Phillies 63-56 5.5 GB
Marlins 61-56 6.5 GB
Mets 59-58 8.5 GB


Wild Card:
The Nationals win over the Phillies put them back to the second slot behind the Astros, but Houston's win kept the Nationals from gaining any ground on them. ESPN.com article about the Astros 12-4 win.
Astros 64-54
Nationals 63-55 1 GB
Phillies 63-56 1.5 GB
Marlins 61-56 2.5 GB
Mets 59-58 4.5 GB


Tonight: 7:05 EST start time.
Drese (7-12, 5.67) vs. Lidle (9-10, 4.61)

Remember, Drese's away record as a National: 7 GS: 2-4 with an era of 5.09 in 35.1 IP (40 H, 20 ER, 18 walks, 12 SO). He has started twice in Philadelphia against the Phillies, once as a Texas Ranger, and once as a National. As a National: lasted 5 innings, giving up 4 runs, 6 hits and 5 walks while striking out 4 (he picked up a win from the game, and had an era of 7.20 for his work).

Lidle is 3-5 at home with an ERA of 5.89 (11 GS, 62.2 IP 83 H 41 ER 6 HR 1 HBP 12 BB 42 SO). Against the Nationals, he has started two games, 1 on the road and one at home. At home he lasted 8 innings, didn't give up a run, gave up 5 hits, 1 walk and struck out 7.

Nationals.com preview. ESPN.com stat pack and preview ("The season series between the teams is tied, 5-5. " and "Lidle owns a 5-0 career mark with a 2.54 ERA in eight games - five starts - against the Nationals franchise, including a 1-0 mark in two starts this year").

Comments:
That's actually two doubles for Wilkerson. I write too fast.
 
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