Nationals Baseball Fan

Injuries from opening day

2007-04-03T16:06:00.000-05:00

From Nationals.com (Bill Ladson): “Center fielder Nook Logan suffered a hyperextended left foot, while shortstop Cristian Guzman suffered a mild left hamstring strain. Both players are listed as day to day.” It is noted that Kory Castro could be called up if Logan goes on the DL.

Also: “The Guzman injury appears to be a lot worse” and if he can’t play “second baseman Felipe Lopez will move over to short and Ronnie Belliard will be the second baseman.” Lopez is quoted as noting that he Lopez doesn’t want to move again.

Tonight: RHP Shawn Hill vs. LHP Scott Olsen.

Olsen has started 35 games in the majors, and has amassed a record of 13-11, with an ERA of 4.03. 201 IP, 187 Ks, 85 BB.

Hill started 3 games in 2004, but only made it to a total of 9 innings. 1-2 record and 16.00 ERA. In 2006, he started 6 games, and did much better - appearing in 36.2 IP 16 K 12 BB 4.66 ERA (1 W 3 L).

Nationals lose first game of 2007 2-9, Patterson out after 3.2 IP

2007-04-02T15:07:00.000-05:00

First game of the season is over. Nationals lost. Patterson lasts just 3.2 innings (80 pitches) before being pulled for a rule 5 pick-up. Patterson gave up 6 runs to start the season with an ERA of 14.73. Jimmy LeVale Speigner finished the fourth, and pitched the fifth and sixth innings, giving up just 1 run to leave the game with an ERA of 3.86. Bowie came in for the 7th inning, and gave up 2 runs, leaving with an ERA of 18.00. Jesus Colome then came in to pitch the 8th inning and 9th, and while he gave up 2 walks, he also struck out one batter, and didn’t give up a hit or a run. It wasn’t pretty (30 pitches, 16 strikes, 14 balls), but Colome ended up the only pitcher on the Nationals side to not give up a run. Shortstop Josh Wilson to first baseman Dmitri Young for the last out in the top of the 9th inning. Wilson to Young?

On the Marlins side - Willis left after 100 pitches, and 6 innings, after giving up just 1 earned run (and 1 unearned), off of 1 walk and 7 hits, while also striking out 3 (1.50 ERA). Some guy named Jorge Julio came in to “close” for the Marlins. Yes, yes, I recall, Julio was the O’s closer back when I paid attention to the O’s. Jorge made it interesting, walking Church, and throwing 13 pitches in the 9th (8 balls, 5 strikes), but the Nationals scored no runs in the 9th.

Batting - Young hit two doubles, and Zimmerman hit a triple. Logan left the game with his batting average at 1.000 (1 for 1; he came out injured). I’m not certain, but Guzman apparently injuried himself swinging, and missing, the baseball. I’ll have to look later to see what happened with Guzman. He left the game 0 for 3.

First Game Underway: Nationals Losing

2007-04-02T12:37:00.000-05:00

John Patterson vs. Dontrelle Willis

Florida up in second inning. Scored 1 run in top of first to lead off game (After 1.2 innings, Patterson has an ERA of 16.20 according to the GameDay log).

Line-Up: Nationals:
Lopez, Felipe 2B
Gusman, SS
Zimmerman, 3B
Kearns, RF
Young, 1B
Schneider, C
Church, LF
Logan, CF
Patterson, P

So far: Zimmeran got his first hit of 2007 in his first at-bat with 2 out, and Kearns immediately got his 1st LOB when he got the third out of the inning.

Giving up 2 more runs in the Second, Patterson's ERA drops to 13.50. Nationals now up in the Second, with Young leading off with a ground out. Schneider up for his first time in 2007. 2 strikes 2 balls. 5th pitch, in play, Out (Ground out). Church up for first time. Called strike. Ball, low, outside corner. Another called strike. . . . Now full count. another foul. 8 pitches so far thrown to Church. Another ball - Church walks with 2 out. Logan up for first time in 2007. Ball, in the dirt, can't really tell with GameDay. 3rd pitch - IN PLAY, NO OUT - ground ball to center - Church to 2B, Logan to 1B. Pitcher Patterson up. 2 strikes. Swinging strike - inning over.

. . . .

Game continues, I return to watching . . . and not "talking" . . .

Quick note, mostly to remind myself

2007-02-08T11:53:00.000-05:00

Nationals preseason games on MASN:

Saturday, March 3, 1:05 pm - Orioles-Nationals, Viera, FL
Thursday, March 8, 1:05 pm - Astros-Nationals, Viera, FL
Friday, March 9, 1:05 pm - Nationals-Orioles, Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Monday, March 12, 1:05 pm - Mets-Nationals, Viera, FL
Wednesday, March 21, 7:05 pm - Braves-Nationals, Viera, FL
Tuesday, March 27, 7:05 pm - Mets-Nationals, Viera, FL **
Friday, March 30, 2:05 pm - Nationals-Orioles, Norfolk, VA
Saturday, March 31, 1:05 pm - Orioles-Nationals, Washington, DC **

From e-mail just received. Now if I can remember when the date occurs, and also remember what channel MASN is on my system.

Fick rejoins the team, at least at the Minor League level; 3 Catchers?

2006-12-21T14:39:00.000-05:00

With Harper sent done to AAA (outrighted, with the possibility someone else would claim him), the question became, who will back-up Brian Schneider? Well, Robert Fick joins the recent Rule 5 pick-up Jesus Flores as contenders for the back-up role. Jesus Flores is a rule 5 pick-up and must remain on the major league roster for the entire season (or be given back, and other odd little rules). Considering that the Nationals seemed to like playing with just one declared catcher, Schneider, in past seasons (with Fick and the like bouncing between the infielder and catcher column on the roster), the likelihood of Fick’s rejoining the team, with Flores cemented to the major league roster, would seem to be slim, no?

On the other hand, there was talk of the need for a back-up at first-base, so there is room for another utility man. Other potential back-up first-basemen appear to be less likely to join the team in that limited capacity (at least that is what I’ve read concerning Larry Broadway).

So, will the Nationals actually enter the season with three “catchers”? One that sometimes struggles at the plate (Schneider), one that struggles behind the plate (Fick), and one that was last seen in high A ball (Flores)?

Flores is now 21 and has played three seasons in the minors. He played at the Rookie level and Low A in his first season. He played a combined 48 games that season, with an batting average of .319 at the Rookie level, and .333 at the Low A level. He then spent the entire 2005 season, his second, in A ball, hitting just .216 in 82 games. In 2006, he advanced to A+, or High A level baseball. In 120 games, he hit .266 and 21 home-runs and 32 doubles. Those 21 home-runs in 2006 is both a milestone for most hit by him, and the first time he went past 7 home-runs in a season. As a fielder, he had 5 errors in the Rookie league in 2004 and 7 errors in A ball in 2005. The 2006 stats appear to be missing on Baseball Cube.

Considering Flores should probably now be exploring AA pitching instead of major league pitching, there does seem to be some need to have an extra body on the team that can fill in at catcher for small stretches.

And that’s my attempt to write a column length article about Fick getting a minor league contract and an invitation to Spring Training.

Nationals acquire two more players late last night

2006-12-19T16:01:00.000-05:00

ok, maybe not late last night, but I first noticed it through the 8:30 pm article on Nationals.com

Two more relief pitchers added (though one is fighting to be a starting pitcher). Both signed to non-guaranteed Minor League contracts. LHP Ray King, 32, and RHP Jason Simontacchi, 33, join the fight for a roster spot on the Nationals major-league club. King could add another left-handed pitcher to the bullpen, joining Bowie, and Simontacchi wishes to be one of the Nationals starting pitchers.

King played in 67 games for the Colorado Rockies last season, picking up a ERA of 4.43 for the season. King notes that he played in mile-high Denver, and his stats should be better in Washington DC (check out The Beltway Boys for King's road/home record).

Simontacchi last played in the majors in 2004, during which he injured his arm ("tore his right labrum").

Oddly, the St. Louis Cards city paper made note of the recent signing of Simontacchi and King with the Nationals. Ah, of course. Forgot to mention that Simontacchi was playing with the Cardinals in 2004. The paper notes that Simontacchi, though currently slated to fight for a spot in the rotation, appeared in just 13 games in 2004, in relief, before injuring himself. He tried out for the Cubs in 2006 (this past season), but didn’t make the team. Mostly because he failed the physical. Apparently, what caught the Nationals attention, according to Derrick Goold of the ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH, is Simontacchi’s current record in the Dominican league.

This winter, he's pitched in the Dominican Republic and in his first four starts went 3-0 with a 1.64 ERA over 22 innings. That caught the Nats' attention.

The signing of King is briefly mentioned in one paragraph in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch story. Something about King being traded from the Cardinals club to the Rockies before the 2006 season started.

Right, some Baseball-Reference information: Jason William Simontacchi stands 6' 2" and is reported to weigh somewhere around 185 pounds. He is right handed both for pitching and batting. He has appeared in the majors in three seasons. He debut came in 2002 with the Cardinals (entire major league career with Cards), and went 11-5 with an ERA of 4.02 in 24 games started. In the 143.2 innings he pitched in 2002, he gave up 134 hits, 64 ER, 18 HR, and 54 walks to 72 strike-outs. He also hit 6 batters and threw 1 wild pitch. He ended up ranked ninth in the National League Rookie of the Year balloting. In 2003, Simontacchi went 9 and 5, with an ERA of 5.56. He started 16 games and entered 30 games in relief. In the 126.2 innings he pitched in 2003, he gave up 153 hits, 78 earned runs, 21 home-runs, and 41 walks to 74 strike-outs. Before injuring himself in 2004, Simontacchi appeared in 13 games, as mentioned, but more specifically in 15.2 innings of relief. He gave up 17 hits, 9 ER, 5 HR, and 7 walks to 3 strike-outs in those 15.2 innings to end up with an ERA of 5.28 for the season. He has a career .200 batting average.

Simontacchi did not play in 2005, and spent the 2006 season with an independent league team, the Bridgeport Bluefish of the Atlantic League. Simontacchi appeared in 10 games, all in relief, and ended the year with a record of 1-0 and an ERA of 0.84 (catching on as to why I noted the Nationals picked up two relief pitchers?).

Ray King stands 6' 1" and weighs a reported 230 pounds. He has had two seasons where his ERA fell below 3, and 4 more seasons where his fell below 4. In his 365 innings pitched (all in relief), King gave up 330 hits, 133 ER, 27 HR, and 156 walks to 252 strike-outs. His 8 season career ERA currently stands at 3.28. Since 2001, King has appeared in at least 67 games a season.

Other Things Noted
- None of the three Cards blogs that I had put up for the World Series mention either Ray King or Jason Simontacchi in their most recent blog posts.

- Harper outrighted, thanks for noting that information Farid. Yes, who will be the Nationals back-up catcher, now?

Roster Moves: Unless there are Problems with the Physical, Vidro now a Mariner

2006-12-18T10:19:00.000-05:00

Since last I blogged: Roster updates:

Jose Vidro was traded to the Seattle Mariners for OF Chris Snelling and right-hander Emiliano Fruto. The trade is on hold until Vidro’s Monday physical. Vidro had a no-trade clause in his contract, but he agreed to the trade after discussing it with the Mariner’s skipper and with his wife (Vidro’s wife, not the manager’s wife). Vidro was told that he would be their DH, and backup at 1B, 2B, and 3B. With Vidro’s trade, Lopez will move to second base (played 12 games at 2B in career), and Guzman will cover the short-stop duties.

Christopher Doyle Snelling, 25 (birthday: December 3, 1981), was signed by Seattle as a amateur free agent March 2, 1999. He made his major league debut May 25, 2002 with the Mariners against the Orioles. In three major league seasons Snelling has appeared in 59 games, and his 2006 appearance in 36 games is his most ever, to this point. He hasn’t exactly shown anything, yet, in the majors, so the reason for his acquisition by the Nationals must be due to potential. In three seasons, Snelling has hit .237, with 2 SB and 3 CS, 5 HR, 1 triple, and 8 doubles. Snelling has played 38 games in RF (265 innings, 33 GS, 1 error), 14 in LF (119 innings, 14 GS, 0 errors), and 1 in CF (1 inning, ball never hit near him). For his 59 major league games, Snelling has already made $1,244,500.

As mentioned, his acquisition is based on potential, so let’s check out his minor league stats. Snelling started in 1999 at the age of 17 in low A ball. In 8 minor league seasons, Snelling has played at the low A, high A, double A, AAA, and Rookie level (for some reason, after playing 47 games in AA, and 18 games in AAA in 2003, Snelling spent the entire 2004 season at the Rookie level, unless the website I’m using is wrong). Snelling appeared in the AAA in three seasons. In 2003, Snelling played in 18 AAA games, hitting .269, striking out 12 times to 5 walks, hit 3 home-runs, and 2 doubles, picked up 1 stolen base, and his OBP was .333. Snelling then appeared in AAA in 2005 for 65 games. In those 246 at-bats, Snelling hit .370, hitting 8 HR, 2 triples and 17 doubles, while knocking in 46 runs (RBI). He was caught stealing more often than he successfully stole a base (3 CS to 2 SB), and struck out more often than walked (43 SO vs. 36 walks). In 2006 he appeared in both the majors and AAA. In AAA, Snelling appeared in 69 games, and in those 241 at-bats, he hit .216. He had 13 doubles, 1 walk, 5 home-runs, and 39 RBI. His strike-out to walk ratio suffered (60 K to 31 BB), though he managed to get more stolen bases than get caught trying to steal (4 SB, 2 CS). In the minors, Snelling has only appeared in the outfield. He has 11 errors in the minors. Apparently he isn’t particularly speedy, and/or hasn’t mastered the base-paths yet, doesn’t have great power. He has a tendency to strike-out more often than walk, though there are several seasons when he walked more often than struck-out.

Columbian Emiliano Fruto made his major league debut last season on May 14, 2006. The right-handed reliever stands 6' 3", and is reported to weigh anywhere between 170 (Baseball Cube) and 235 (Baseball Reference) pounds. In his first season in the majors (at the age of 22), Fruto pitched in 36 innings in 23 relief appearances. He ended up with a record of 2-2 and an ERA of 5.50. In those 36 innings, Fruto gave up 34 hits, 22 earned runs, 4 home-runs, 24 walks, hit 2 batters, and threw 4 wild pitches. He also struck out 34 batters. He has played 6 seasons in the minors. Like Snelling, Fruto started when he was 17. Unlike Snelling, Fruto started in the Rookie leagues. He entered the Seattle system as a starting pitcher, but was quickly transformed into a relief pitcher (starting pitcher complete first season, 13 GS in second season with 20 relief appearances). He has appeared in AAA in three seasons (2003 - 1 game, 4 inning pitched, 0.00 ERA, 1 win 2 K 2 BB; 2005 - 9 games, 11 IP, 1 win, 2 losses, 13.09 ERA, 12 K, 11 BB; and in 2006 - 28 games, 45.1 IP, 1 win, 3 losses, 3.18 ERA, 55 K, 21 walks).

Both look like the could use a little more seasoning in the minors, though both might get a chance this season. Fruto appears closer to making the transition to the majors (maybe more because the Nationals need pitching, and Fruto appears poised to make the transition).

Other roster news:
11/8/06 Signed RHP Jesus Colome to a Minor League contract and invited him to Spring Training.
11/14/06 Purchased the contract of RHP Jermaine Van Buren from Triple-A Columbus.
12/07/2006 catcher Jesus Flores and right-handed pitcher Levale Speigner selected in Rule 5 draft.
12/14/06 Signed RHPs Chris Schroder and Chris Booker, LHP Mike Hinckley, OF Kory Casto and C Brandon Harper to one-year contracts.

28 year-old right-handed-relief-pitcher Jesus (De la Cruz) Colome made his major league debut in 2001 and has appeared in 186 games in the majors. 6' 2", 170 pound Colome has a record of 11-22, with an ERA of 4.73. In 251 innings pitched, Colome has given up 244 hits, 141 walks, and 34 home-runs, while striking out 201 batters. He has three errors, and has never gotten a major league hit.

6' 1", 220 Jermaine Russell Van Buren made his major league debut in 2005. The 25 year-old has a major league record of 1-2, 9.00 ERA in 16 games (19 IP). In those 19 innings pitched, Van Buren has given up 16 hits, 19 ER, 1 home-run, and fifteen walks, while striking out just 8 batters.

2007 season
Currently, the Nationals list three starting pitchers on their depth chart:
1. Patterson
2. O’Connor
3. Hill

I’m worried.

Catcher seems covered with Schneider & Harper. 1B has Johnson, who we all hope remains healthy. 2B now has Lopez, who has only played 12 games at the position in his major league career. Castro is Lopez’s back-up on the on-line depth chart. Oddly enough, the depth chart has Guzman last, with three players ahead of him for the SS role. It is likely that Guzman will be the SS, with Castro, Zimmerman, and Lopez his back-up. Zimmerman covers 3B with Castro his back-up. Casto and Church are penciled in for LF, though there is talk that Snelling might get the chance to play LF. Logan, Church and Escobar will fight for center field. Kearns is in right with Church penciled in as his back-up.

I would not want to start the season today with three starting pitchers. When and how are we going to get the starting pitchers we need?

Manager Acta, Soriano gone, Roster moves

2006-11-21T10:42:00.000-05:00

Soriano
As expected, Soriano is no longer a member of the Washington Nationals. Soriano is now a Cub, after signing the "fifth largest contract ever". He officially became a Cub yesterday after passing a physical. He signed an 8 year contract worth $136 million.

Soriano:
"It's a big contract, but that's not my goal," Soriano said. "My goal is to play hard and give you a championship for the city. That's my goal. It's not about the contract."

Acta
The Nationals new manager, Manny Acta, officially joined the team one week ago on November 14, 2006. Acta was the third base coach with the Expos in 2002 to 2004, and spent the 2005 and 2006 baseball seasons with the Mets as their third base coach. While this is Acta’s first manager job in the majors, he worked as a manager in the minor leagues, and lead his team to the 1994 New York-Penn League Championship series. Acta’s 1999 Class A Kissimmee team won the Florida State League Championship. Acta moved up to the big-leagues in 2002, joining Robinson’s Expos coaching staff.

Roster
10/3/06: Released RHPs Brian Lawrence, Pedro Astacio, Felix Rodriguez, Zach Day and Ryan Drese and LHP Joey Eischen.
11/6/06: Signed RHP Tim Redding, RHP Joel Hanrahan, INF Josh Wilson and OF Michael Restovich to one-year contracts. Signed RHPs Jermaine Van Buren, T.J. Nall, Colby Lewis, Felix Diaz, Eduardo Valdez, Josh Hall, Winston Abreu, Jim Magrane; LHPs Mike Bacsik, Billy White and Chris Michalak; C Juan Brito and C Danny Ardoin; INF Joe Thurston and INF Alejandro Machado; and OF Darnell McDonald and OF Wayne Lydon to Minor League contracts; Purchased the contract of LHP Matt Chico from Double-A Harrisburg.

6 feet 200 pound RHP Tim Redding will be 29 in the 2007 baseball season. He made his major league debut in 2001 with the Astros (20th round draft pick). In 101 games, 79 started, Redding has a 21-34 record with an ERA of 5.16. Redding’s best season came in 2003, when he was 25 and amassed a record of 10-14 in 32 games starts (33 overall games), with an ERA of 3.68. In that year, 2003, Redding pitched 176 innings, gave up 179 hits, 65 walks, and struck out 116 batters. Redding has made at least $1,445,000 so far in his career (2003-2005). There is no mention of Redding’s Nationals contract amount.

RHP Joel Ryan Hanrahan will be 26 for the 2007 baseball season. The 6-2 191 pound pitcher was drafted by the LA Dodgers in the second round of the 2000 amateur draft. He was a Double-A all-star in 2003, and named "Southern League Most Outstanding Pitcher". Hanrahan has never played in the majors, and has spent 7 seasons in the minors (1 year at the Rookie-level, 1 year at A, roughly 2 years at A+, parts of 4 seasons in AA, and parts of 3 seasons in AAA). Overall, Hanrahan has a minor league record of 62-45, with an ERA of 4.23 in 167 GS (174 total games). In AAA, Hanrahan’s record is: 2003: 5 GS, 1-2, 10.08 ERA; 2004: 22 GS, 7-7, 5.05 ERA; 2006: 14 GS, 4-3, 4.48 ERA. As a hitter, Hanrahan has a minor league batting average of .174 in 86 AB.

I’m not certain about Josh Wilson’s stats. If he is the Josh Aaron Wilson who played his first major league game on Sept. 7, 2005, then I have some very limited information. The 6'1 178 pound Wilson was drafted in the third round of the 1999 amateur draft by the Florida Marlins. At the age of 24, he appeared in 11 games in 2005 with the Marlins, getting 1 hit (a double) in his 10 AB’s, and striking out 4 times. He played 6 games at SS, and 4 at 2B. No errors were recorded by Wilson in those 10 games. Josh Wilson is listed as a SS on the Minor League website. In 2006, Wilson hit .307 in 89 games in AAA for the Colorado Springs Sky Sox. He had 4 triples, 10 home-runs, 45 RBI, 15 SB, .376 OBP, .475 SLG, .851 OPS. In 2005, Wilson hit .257 in 143 AAA minor league games. I don’t have any record for earlier work.

OF Michael Restovich started his major league career in 2002 with the Twins. Restovich has played 137 major league games over 5 years, with a career batting average of .250. 12 doubles, 3 triples, 6 home-runs, 10 RBI, 1 SB, .328 OBP, .400 SLG .728 OPS round out his career numbers. In his 5 years of major league experience, Restovich has played 51 games in RF, 35 games at LF and 13 games as the DH. He has 1 error as a left-fielder.

RHP Jermaine Van Buren debuted in 2005. He will be 27 in 2007. In his total of 16 relief appearances in 2005&2006, Van Buren has a record of 1-2, with an ERA of 9.00 in 19 innings of work (16 hits, 24 walks, 11 strike-outs).

RHP T(homas) J(ohn) Nall will be 26 in the 2007 baseball season. He has a career minor league record of 41-43, 4.18 ERA in 188 games (95 GS). He has appeared twice in AAA. In 2005, Nall played the whole season in AAA, and ended the season with a record of 6-7, with an ERA of 7.17 in 29 games (15 GS). In 2006, Nall appeared in just 2 AAA games, both in relief. He pitched 3 innings and picked up a 9.00 ERA in those two 2006 AAA games.

RHP Colby Lewis made his debut in 2002 as a 22 year-old Texas Ranger. In four seasons in the majors, Lewis has a record of 12-13 in 46 games played (33 GS) with an ERA of 6.76. In his longest stint in the majors, 2003, Lewis started and played in 26 games, winning 10 games, losing 9, and giving up 163 hits, 23 HR, and 70 walks while striking out 88 in 127 IP for an ERA of 7.30. Career minor league record: 45-37, 3.78 in 119 games (114 starts). Parts of three seasons in AAA: 2002: 5-6, 3.63 ERA in 20 GS; 2003: 5-1, 3.02 in 7 GS; 2006: 6-7, 3.96 ERA in 24 GS.

RHP Felix Diaz made his major league debut in 2004. At the age of 23, Diaz pitched in 18 games (7 GS) for the Chicago White Sox. He ended up with a record of 2-5 with an ERA of 6.75. In those 49.2 IP in 2004, Diaz gave up 62 hits, 13 HR, 16 walks and struck-out 33. In 8 seasons in the minors, Diaz has a record of 32-35, with an ERA of 4.02 in 133 games (105 GS). Diaz was 5-7, with an ERA of 3.97 in 27 games (18 starts) in AAA action in 2003. Diaz spent 2004 in the majors and in AAA. In AAA, he was 10-2 with an ERA of 2.97 in 19 games (17 starts). Returning to the AAA for the 2005 season, Diaz fell to a 6-8 record with an ERA of 5.00. I do not see any stats for 2006. 2004 - Triple-A All-Star SP

I can find no record for a RHP Eduardo Valdez, though, there is a RHP Edward Valdez listed on the Minor League website. Valdez has no major league experience, apparently, and 5 years of experience in the minors, but never higher than AA. In those 5 years in the minors, Edward Valdez has a record of 42-31, with an ERA of 4.02 in 135 games (113 GS). At the age of 26, he played the entire 2006 baseball season in AA Chattanooga, acquiring a record of 7-10, with an ERA of 3.89 in 29 games (23 GS).

Left Tackles and You, the story of Michael Oher and a change in the NFL

2006-10-24T12:15:00.000-05:00

The author of Moneyball, Michael Lewis, returns with another sports book, this time focused on football (the USA version of the word). Lewis tracks the changing nature of the NFL, and the changing importance of certain positions. As time advanced, and the strategists, mainly Bill Walsh, pushed the organized systematic method of offensive production that increased the average yards per pass, increased the total number of passes, relative to total and to percentage of plays vs. run plays, while at the same time increasing the completion rate. This new method, which has been called by some the “West Coast Offense”, coupled with a new player/management system that allowed free agency, drove one particular position to the forefront.

In the past everyone that played on the offensive line believed himself (apparently) to be playing a position that was not-individualistic, and interchangeable (play Center, Guard, Tackle, left-right didn’t matter). Adding in the lack of measurable production numbers, the pay for players on the offensive line reflected this “through any body in there” mentality. Then things began to change, both with an offensive system that advanced the use of the pass to the point where it became much more feasible to stress the pass over the run and win games, and with advent of the counter to this system. The advanced pass system opened up a new realm of offensive production, but also opened up the quarterback to danger. Why? Because the blockers who would normally be back for the run, are forward as potential targets for a pass (not specifically the same players). This allowed players like Lawrence Taylor to run forward and clobber the QB (though, he likely would have been able to do so anyway, there were just fewer people between him and the quarterback after the change in offensive systems). The position pushed to the forefront by the changes in the game? Left tackle. Why left tackle as opposed to any other position on the field, like say right tackle? Because the left tackle guarded the quarterback’s blind side (right-handed quarterback, and most are right-handed). While the system was in transition, most salaries remained the same for offensive linemen, while an increasing number of quarterbacks became injured, sometimes with career injuries. Then free agency came about, and everyone awaited the avalanche of money to fall on quarterbacks, running backs and wide receivers. Oddly enough, a good portion of this free agent money, though, went to left tackles. GM’s realized that they needed a great left tackle to protect their quarterback, and without one, even the best quarterback will have lower production.

This realization flowed down to the college level (many “lately” “pro”-level offenses), and somewhat down to the high school level. Especially down to one particular kid by the name of Michael Oher. Oher was a gigantic black kid from the poorest area of Memphis when he joined a private high school and began his rise up the social-economic ladder.

Lewis’ book introduces the change in the NFL system and specifically follows Michael Oher’s life up to the present (2006) as a college football player. I enjoy sports, including football, but am most familiar with the inner-workings of baseball. As noted in Lewis’ book, most football fans follow the ball, and pay less attention to the offensive line. This particular book provided me with a great deal of insight into an area of the football field that I had never really considered, and never really understood.

No Sweep for the Cards

2006-10-23T08:58:00.000-05:00

Entering the World Series, there was much talk of a possible Tigers sweep. Then the Cards won game one. So, sweep for the Cards? Nope, Rogers and his mysteriously brown smudged hands, won game two for the Tigers. Series tied 1-1. Rogers great work smeared by some odd brown substance (see ESPN Photo).

That brown oil smear on Rogers' hand? According to Rogers, it was dirt. Is the dirt especially liquidly in Detroit? Rogers pitched a great game, giving up just two singles and three walks in 8 innings of work, but now because of that mysterious brown sludge on his pitching hand, an asterisk has to be attached to the game. Did Rogers cheat? Did he not cheat? You would hate for the guy to pitch an outstanding game, and get labeled a cheater, if he didn't cheat, but you (whoever "you" is) would hate for him to be able to get away with cheating.

Cheating, of course, isn't new to the World Series, and sometimes the cheating is an attempt to win (Jay Howell, though that was the NLCS, not the World Series; or any overly muscular home-run hitter who has played in the World Series and has the shadow of steroids or the like marring his career ("his", am I being sexist? Unless someone went undetected, even MLB baseball players named Christy are male) or an attempt to lose (see: 1919 Chicago Black Sox, or see the movie "Eight Men Out").

The Reds ended up with a World Series in 1919, but with the public ("say it ain't so Joe") aware that it might have been, should have been, the White Sox World Series victory. If the Tigers win the series, will they be marred by this mysterious brown substance? Will the world continue to argue about the "tainted" Tigers-Cards series 90 years later? Only time will tell.

Rest in Peace

2006-10-12T10:09:00.000-05:00

Frank Robinson's last game as the Nationals manager

2006-10-02T10:19:00.000-05:00

My Videos from the Game:
Robinson's talk with the RFK crowd, Part 1 (Youtube version)
Yahoo Video version (not sure why I can never get videos to work on the blog, no matter, here's a link to the Yahoo Video page that has my video in three parts)

Robinson's talk with the RFK crowd, Part 2 (Youtube version)
Yahoo version:

Robinson's talk with the RFK crowd, Part 3.

Shots taken of that last game:

- first pitch by Ortiz.
- Perez pitches in the first inning.
- Franco scores.
- Hernandez Scores
- Floyd scores.
- Ortiz removed.
- Teddy walks by.
- Jefferson walks by

- Fuzzy out of focus look at the new stadium
- new stadium
- new stadium
- RFK

Nationals lose first game in last series of 2006

2006-09-30T10:21:00.000-05:00

Tony Armas and John Maine solid in first couple of innings, both going for shut-outs, but both ended up out of the decision. Armas throws 112 pitches, but that is just in 5 innings. Nationals lose 4-3.

Of Note: Zimmerman gets 110th RBI, but batting average falls to .289. Church hits 10th home-run of season and goes 2 for 4, raises average to .270. Lopez steals a base, his 44th. And the Nationals handed out blankets to the first 15,000 fans at the game. Tonight, I think, t-shirts will be handed out, and on Sunday, 2007 preliminary schedule handed out.

In the last two games of the season, RHP Beltran Perez with his 2-0, 1.50 record, will face off against LHP Tom Glavine (14-7, 4.94) on Saturday (today), and RHP Ramon Ortiz (11-15, 5.32) will face off against RHP Steve Trachsel (15-8, 4.97) on Sunday to end the year.

Interesting article about the parking situation over at the Curly W blog.

Nationals lose, win, lose against Braves, on road today, will face Mets this weekend

2006-09-21T09:24:00.000-05:00

Nationals lose 1-6 on Monday in the first game of the series, win 9-2 on Tuesday, and lose 3-7 on Wednesday.

Monday: Tie game until top of sixth (0-0 in first, 1-1 in second up to top of sixth) when Braves add two runs to take the lead and the game. Braves eventually score 3 more runs in the 8th inning. Tony Armas pitched, picked up his 12th loss. Not a bad start, 6.2 innings pitched, just 3 runs given up off of 6 hits (1 HR) and 3 walks; plus 4 strike-outs in 96 pitches thrown. Nothing else really of note, other than Logan hitting in the Nationals 1 run, Kearns 1 error, and Flicks 2 base hits in 4 at-bats starting at catcher. Monday Game box score

Tuesday: A much better game, the Nationals won 9-2 behind the pitching of a rookie pitcher Beltran Perez making his first major league start (for Perez photo go here). The 24-year-old spent most of 2006 in AA Harrisburg, acquiring a record of 8-6 (3.11 ERA) in 121.2 innings over 31 games (16 starts). In those 121.2 innings, Beltran gave up 127 hits, 42 ER, 8 HR, 40 BB, and struck-out 107.

ON Tuesday, Beltran pitched a six inning 1 hit-shut-out, striking out 3 and lowering his ERA to 0.77 (had made previous relief appearances). Other news of note from the game: Zimmerman went 2 for 4 with his 42nd double and 98th RBI; Johnson: 2 for 4, 23rd home-run; Kearns 2 for 4, 33rd double; Lombard PH for Perez and stole two bases after walking. Washington lead 6-0 when the 7th inning started and Perez out of the game. Rivera came in and gave up 1 run. Then Nationals scored 3 more runs in the bottom of the 7th, end of 7: 9-1. Wagner started the 8th and gave up 1 more run to make it 9-2. No more runs by either team recorded in the game. Tuesday Box Score

On Wednesday: Ortiz lasted 5 innings, giving up 5 runs off of 8 hits (2 HR) and 2 walks (and striking out 1), to record his 15th loss of the season. Of note: Zimmerman picked up his 99th RBI and 19th HR while hitting 2 for 4. DP: Johnson-Castro. Wednesday Box Score.

Thursday/Today: Travel Day.

Friday-Monday: @ New York Mets.

Other news of note:
New AAA minor-league team: located in Columbus: Official Press-release - 2 year deal. The Columbus Clippers were most recently associated with the New York Yankee organization. Link to new team on sidebar.
New A level minor-league team (high-A Potomac remains): Official Press-Release - 2 year deal. Savannah Gnats now part of Mets organization.

Washington Wins, and Loses . . . Soriano - 40-40

2006-09-18T08:09:00.000-05:00

Nationals win on Saturday (8-5)and Sunday (6-1) and now host the Atlanta Braves for three games starting tonight. Redskins lose, again, 10-27 and will now face the Houston Texans in Texas at 1pm Sunday. As Riggins noted, the test comes next Sunday, though I don't recall his arguement now. And: United lost to the Fire in a rain-delayed match in Chicago. ESPN2 kept losing the coverage and during one of the lost coverage times, Fire scored. They, the Fire, ended up winning 0-1 after a 20 minute rain delay. United's next match will be at home on Saturday 9/23/06 against the New York Red Bulls.

Back to the Nationals: Soriano picked up his 40th stolen base on Saturday to match up with his 40+ home-runs, and 38 doubles (just needs 2 more for 40-40-40). Also on Saturday, Castro hit two triples, and Zimmerman also hit a triple (3) and stole his 11th base. "Speedy" Logan finally stole a base this year on Saturday. And Astacio picked up his 4th win of the year on Saturday. Nationals, as I mentioned earlier, won 8-5. Saturday's Box Score

On Sunday, Lopez picked up his 39th stolen base, and now he is just 1 away from 40. Of course, he doesn't have 40 home-runs (he has 11, and 24 doubles). Also on Sunday, Kearns hit his 23rd home-run and picked up his 82nd and 83rd RBIs. O'Connor started and went 4 innings, giving up 1 run off of 3 hits. Rivera picked up the win, his 3rd of the year. Despite winning 6-1, this is still another game where they came from behind to win the game. The Brewers picked up 1 run in the top of the second, and kept that 1 run lead until the bottom of the fifth, when Kearns hit that previously mentioned home-run for a tie game. Tie game until the bottom of the 7th, when the Nationals picked up another run for the 1 run lead, and then tacked on 4 more runs in the bottom of the 8th to make sure of things. Oh, and Vidro started at 1st base, no errors committed. Nationals won 6-1. Sunday Box Score

Washington Times: Nationals Bullpen: "More and more, that bullpen has shown signs it can do an effective job. . . . Over the past six games, the bullpen has allowed just four runs in 26 innings for a 1.38 ERA."

Washington Times: Nationals Mailbag: First question: predict the Nationals 2007 starting line-up. Zuckerman's answer? Position and line-up:
CF Nook Logan
2B Felipe Lopez
3B Ryan Zimmerman
1B Nick Johnson
RF Austin Kearns
LF Ryan Church
C Brian Schneider
SS Cristian Guzman

assumptions: Soriano gone, Logan wins over Escobar, Vidro traded, Guzman healthy, no major fielding signings.

Why Kory Casto not up? Many reasons, but the fact that Casto has settled in at LF, and the Nationals have that position covered . . . (and the fact that Casto will be playing in Fall ball).

Sorry . . . ; Ohka back

2006-09-15T14:40:00.000-05:00

Can't think of anything to say. Nationals lost again on Wednesday night, ending the minor win-streak, though they still won that series. Then on Thursday the Nationals traveled home and will play the Brewers tonight at 7:05 pm. Of course, I'm so out of touch, I completely forgot and while I have tickets to the game, forgot to bring them with me to work. I feel very ashamed.

Anyone that does happen to attend the game, maybe because they remembered their tickets, will get to see Tomo Ohka again, though, of course, he will be starting for the other team. Ohka is currently 0-2 with an ERA of 9 in his two starts in September, and has a record of 4-5, 4.83 ERA for the year. Ohka will face Nationals starter Ramon Ortiz and his 10-13, 5.19 era. Ortiz is currently 1 for 1 in September with an ERA of 3.60 in the 15 innings pitched.

And if you attend, maybe you'll get to see Soriano pick up his 40th steal to go along with his 45 current home-runs (and hopefully at least number 46).

Great article about one of the Nationals minor leagurers over at The Beltway Boys temp address.

5 Q and A's with a Brewers blogger at Curly W (last Q&A of the season).

Nationals Win 2 in a Row, and Series, go for sweep tonight

2006-09-13T12:40:00.000-05:00

Jason Bergmann started, and left after giving up 3 runs in three innings off of 6 hits and 1 walk. Starter Michael O'Connor relieved the starting reliever and pitched the fourth and fifth innings, giving up 1 run off of 1 hit. That one run, a home-run in the fifth inning, was the last run scored by the Diamondbacks in the game. Schroder pitched the sixth, Felix Rodriguez pitched the seventh and picked up the win, Booker started the 8th (0.2 inning pitched) and Cordero finished the 8th inning and closed in the ninth, picking up his 26th save of the year.

Another come-from behind victory, as Arizona jumped out to an early 3-0 lead in the bottom of the 2nd inning. The Nationals cut the lead to 1 run when Nick Johnson hit his 22nd home-run of the year, with Zimmerman on base. The Diamondbacks then picked up their last 1 run off of a home-run by Hudson in the fifth, before the Nationals tied the game in the sixth inning with 2 more runs scored (Johnson scored off of a Vidro ground out, and Kearns scored off of a Schneider ground out (Schneider then reached on throwing error)). Game won in the top of the 8th inning when the Nationals scored 1 additional run (Schneider scored on Logan's single).

Box Score

The Nationals finish their Diamondback series today at 6:40 pm, before spending the day Thursday traveling home to host the Milwaukee Brewers.

Washington Wins! Washington Nationals Win 7-6 over Diamondbacks!

2006-09-12T08:54:00.000-05:00

Redskins, of course, lost, and Nationals won. The Nationals came back again last night, having suffered the horror of being behind 4-2 by as long into the game as the top of the seventh (before the start of that inning), but the Nationals picked up 4 runs in the 7th and pulled to a 6-4 lead. The Nationals relievers, of course, in the form of Rauch, promptly gave up 2 more runs to the Diamondbacks, making it a tie game. Somehow or another the Nationals picked up another run in the top of the 9th and Cordero kept the Diamondbacks from countering with a run of their own in the bottom of the 9th, so the Nationals won the game. Of course two games ago (as in the game before last nights game) the team lost their 82 game, so even if by some werid set of circumstances the team were to win every single game from here on out, they will still finish below .500 (though that would be a great story, not the below .500 finish, but the 19 game win streak to finish the season).

Ok, now I see. Traber lasted just 3 innings (and 3 4th inning batters, no outs recorded that inning for him), giving up two home-runs in the 2nd inning, and another home-run in the 4th inning to give the Diamondbacks a 3-0 lead. Then in the 4th (or also in the 4th), the Nationals finally responded. Kearns lead off with a single, Vidro doubled, Kearns scored. Vidro moves to third base when Schneider grounded out. Logan then singled home Vidro. Score now 3-2. Then Traber gave up his last run of the game, his fourth, when he gave up a single to Snyder that allowed Jackson to score (no, not Damian Jackson). Score 4-2 after 5, and 6 innings played.

7th inning: Castro pinch hits to lead off game (for Wagner), gets a single, then steals second base. Soriano walks. Pitcher changed. Lopez sacrifices, Castro to third, Soriano to second. Zimmerman walks. Bases loaded 1 out. Johnson singles, Castro and Sorinao score (now 4-4), Zimmerman to 2B (and Johnson on 1B). 1 out, 2 runners on. Kearns walks. Bases loaded 1 out. Vidro singles, Zimmerman and Johnson score (6-4, Nationals), Kearns to second base. Schneider then hit into a double play to end the inning.

8th inning: Rauch pitching (also pitched 7th inning): 2 run home-run given up to Easley. Score now tied 6-6.

9th inning: Lopez singles to lead off inning. Zimmerman singles. Wild pitch, runners advance. Johsnon out - swinging. Kearns IBB. Bases loaded, 1 out. Vidro walked, Lopez comes home, and Schneider then hits into another double play to end another inning. Score 7-6 Nationals.

Cordero picks up 25th save for his work in the 9th inning.

Box Score

Tonight: Bergmann vs. Batista (10-6, 4.44)

Go Redskins!

2006-09-11T15:50:00.000-05:00

Traber pitches tonight for Nationals.

Washington ties, again: MLS Part IV: Third game watched on TV

2006-09-09T20:40:00.000-05:00

I was going to mention that the Nationals were also tied, but then they let the Rockies score 2 more runs, and the Rockies now lead 5-3 (actually, they are now tied 5-5, took me some time to write this entry). So, DC United:

DC United out-played the Salt Lake team in the first 45 minute half, though it was obvious (somewhat) that there was some trouble involved from having 4 starters out of the game (passing the ball, knowing where your teammate is standing/going to be). But Salt Lake, for the most part, outplayed a tired cramping United team. Adu scored a great goal at the end of the first half, and the team tried to keep the ball away from the other team in the second half, but Salt Lake scored at the 64:43 minute mark (6th goal by Klein in the season, 10th assist by Cunningham, Rimando seemed out of place even after he returned to the net area after going for the ball).

Interesting game, at times exciting, at times somewhat boring.
deRoux showed great promise in the first half, but looked out of it in the second half. Well, I'm still not in position to really examin the game, so I'll end.

Play by Play

Nationals Since my last entry about the team, the Nationals have lost two straight games against the Rockies in Colorado, and are currently losing to the Rockies tonight.

Thursday's game found the worst start by Jason Bergmann, pitching just 3.2 innings, giving up 5 runs off of 5 hits (1 HR) and 3 walks (while also striking out 5 batters). This worst outing unfortunately game after Bergmann's best outing of the year in his last start. Bergmann didn't pick up the loss, though, no the loss went to Wagner, who pitched

Tie Game (current game)!

the seventh and start of 8th inning. The game was tied 5-5 in the 8th inning when Wagner gave up 5 more runs to allow the Rockies to win 10-5. Soriano now has 37 SB for the year, and Johnson has 20 HR.
Thursday box score.

Friday:
Friday saw the Nationals in yet another game where they were able to come back from a deficit. This time, though, they didn't win. By the top of the 7th inning, the Nationals actually lead 5-4 (getting the leading run in the top of the 7th inning). Rivera had his second blown save and gave up 3 unearned runs in the bottom of the 7th. 7-5 after 7. Nationals then pick up 3 runs in the top of the 8th inning, pulling to a 8-7 lead, but Rauch also blew his 2nd save, and picked up his 4th loss of the year, when he let 4 runs score in the bottom of the 8th. End of 8, Nationals behind 8-11. Final score: 8-11.

Fielding: Errors: Lopez (25th), Logan (1st), Dorta (1st), Rivera (1st), Zimerman 2 (12th, 13th). DP: 2.

Soriano picked up number 38 stolen base, and Zimmerman picked up his 10th stolen base of the year. Johnson picked up his 21st home-run in the 6th inning, and Lombard picked his first home-run of the year (and 8th of his major league career) in the 7th.

Friday: box score

Saturday:
Ramon Ortiz started, and is still in the game after 6 innings, having given up 3 earned runs (2 unearned) off of 5 hits (2 HR), 2 walks and has 2 strike-outs.

So far: 2 doubles by Johnson (43rd, 44th doubles), Fick has hit his 2nd double of the year, and Soriano (38), Lopez (23), and Vidro (22) have hit doubles so far. Soriano has his 45th home-run (franchise record) and is slowly moving to 40-40, and while unlikely, 50-50.

The "normal" starters started except for Fick as catcher, which includes Logan as the normal starter, at this point, in CF.

So, I'll end here: top of 7th, 1 out, Fick up, another pitching change, commercial because of pitching change (odd, using both GameDay and the MASN broadcast to watch the game, just need to find the local radio broadcast). Oops, 2 outs now. Wasn't able to post this before 2nd out occured. Guess I'll wait for Logan to bat before I post this entry. Logan has 1 hit in his 3 at-bats in this game. Announcers going on about the old style stockings on the relief pitcher. Logan drives it - out. Ok, now I'll post this entry.

Nationals Win 7-6, despite pulling O'Connor!

2006-09-06T15:27:00.000-05:00

O'Connor pitched 5 quality innings, giving up just 3 hits and 1 walk, but was pulled for a pinch hitter (Mateo) in the bottom of the fifth inning. Mateo struck out. Nationals did not score in that inning. Booker came in to pitch the 6th inning but didn't get a single batter out, instead he gave up 1 hit and 1 walk, which allowed 2 runs to score. Schroder relieved Booker and picked up his first Blown Save, giving up 1 run off of 1 hit (HR) while striking out 1 in a full inning of work. Rauch had the exact same line (difference, of course, is IRS), but picked up his 14th hold. Rauch also gave up 1 run off of 1 hit (HR) and struck out 1 batter while pitching the 7th inning. Rivera made things interesting (1 hit, 2 walks) before he was through pitching the 8th inning, and Cordero acquired his 4th blown save and 7th win for his work in the ninth inning (giving up 2 runs off of 2 hits).

The Nationals lead the entire way until the 9th inning, when Cordero gave up 2 runs. Fortunately, that gave the Cardinals just a 1 run lead, so the Nationals tied and won when Vidro singled and Lopez & Johnson both scored with 1 out in the 9th inning.

Player of the game: Michael O'Connor.

Nationals Lose 2-0, winning streak over; O'Connor is today's starting pitcher (O'Connor pitches five innings, gives up 3 H, 1 BB) Nationals LEAD! 1-0

2006-09-06T12:12:00.000-05:00

O'Connor is starting today's day game and has already acheived 1 out by getting Preston Wilson, leading off, to fly out to start the game. Then he walked Taguchi. Pujols up now. (see below)

Last night's game:
Pedro Astacio picked up his 5th loss of the year, but actually pitched a very solid quality game. He was out-pitched by the Cardinals Suppan who gave up zero runs. None of the Cardinals pitchers gave up any runs (Nationals shut-out), and none of the Nationals relievers gave up any runs. Only Rauch gave up a hit and walk, while both Wagner (whose ERA has now fallen to 3.86) and Rivera combined for 1.2 innings of zero runs/walks/hits/strike-outs (Wagner relieved Astacio and pitched the for the last 2 outs of the 7th inning, while Riveria pitched the ninth inning).

Castro committed an error (started, played 2B, went 0-4, average now .236), and the team managed to make two double plays in the game while hitting into zero double plays. Logan again started in CF, and went 1 for 3. His batting average is now .357. There is nothing more to say about this game other than: After last night's game, the Nationals are now 60-78.

And to include a picture of a real live bald eagle:

- O'Connor throws first pitch at 6/30/06 game.
Right Now:
O'Connor got out of the first inning without giving up a hit, while Soriano has lead off the Nationals half of the inning with a "reached on error." Lopez then came up and singled, which moved Soriano to second base. Zimmerman just popped out. Nick Johnson up. Johnson Doubles! Soriano scores! Not sure how Lopez didn't score off of a Johnson double, but he is now on third base. 2 men on, third and second base, 1 out, Church up, and out (ground out). 2 out, 2 men on, Jose Vidro up. Vidro flies out (long fly out to warning track in center field). Inning over. 6 batters up for Nationals in first inning, score 1 run, leave 6 on base. 4 batters up for Cardinals in first inning, zero score, 1 walk, 2 left on base.

2nd inning: Spiezio singles, Belliard Grounds into Double Play. Catcher Molina up. Molina Grounds Out!. 2 innings so far for O'Connor, 1 hit, 1 walk given up, 1 GDP induced. Now up for Nationals: Fick, Logan, then O'Connor.

Fick hitting .236 with the bases empty (which is better than his .222 average against RHP). Fick Singles! Average rises to .226 from .217. Nookie up. Logan hitting .500 with runners on. .357 vs. RHP. 2 balls, 2 strikes. Come on Nook! 3 balls 2 strikes. Interesting, Fick actually has a SB recorded. Sorry, waiting for the sixth pitch to occur. Foul! Runner Running! Sixth pitch was almost exactly in same spot as second pitch, which was a called strike. Another foul. And another. Fick running on each foul ball (3). Trying to tire him out, I see (Fick, that is). In Play! No Out Recorded! Seemingly hours roll by as I wait to see what happened in the play. Still waiting. Um . . . did hit a bird? What's the hold-up? What happened? Ok, not seemingly hours going by, actual hours going by waiting for the result of this play. Ah, I see, complicated. Fick at second base now, Logan at first due to error. Logan's average falls from .357 to .333. O'Connor up. 2 outside balls.

Update 1: Fick caught stealing while O'Connor bats, O'Connor strikes out, Sorinao grounds into force out. Third inning, SS Miles leads off, out, pitcher Carpenter now up for Cardinals; strikes out. Wilson up for second time. This will be the test, second time through the order. Odd, they have Wilson wearing the wrong hat on GameDay. 1st pitch to Wilson - in the dirt. Foul, then apparently another ball in the dirt (at least looks that way on GameDay graphic). Another foul. High outside ball. Ball in play (was in strike zone). Wilson grounds out. O'Connor has now made it through 3 innings while giving up just 1 hit and 1 walk. Now up for Nationals: Lopez, Zimmerman and Johnson.

Update 2: Lopez grounds out, Zimmerman grounds out. Johnson up. Hit a double last time up. 6th pitch, ball in play. Johnson singles! Church up. Ground out first time up. Church grounds out again. Inning over, update 2 over.

Update 3: O'Connor would have lead off the bottom of the fifth inning, so Robinson pulled him for Mateo, who is called out on strikes for O'Connor. Now it's up to the bullpen (after this inning over, Soriano has strike out, and Lopez has walked, currently on 1st base, Zimmerman up).

Today's Nationals Line-up:
LF Soriano (.290)
SS Lopez (.274)
3B Zimmerman (.284)
1B Nick Johnson (.292)
RF Ryan Church (.253)
2B Jose Vidro (.289)
C Robert Fick (.226)
CF Nook Logan (.333)
P Michael O'Connor (.077)

Against: RHP Chris Carpenter 13-6, 2.87 era.
LF Wilson (.263)
CF Taguchi (.271)
1B Pujols (.321)
RF Encarnacion (.287)
3B Spiezio (.264)
2B Belliard (.281)
C Molina (.219)
SS Miles (.271)
P Carpenter (.143)

Received an e-mail yesterday about the Scouting Report by the Fans for the Fans for 2006. I had forgotten, but I had participated in this in 2005. Well, if you are interested in expressing your views about the Nationals players, head on over to the website.

Washington Wins! Washington Nationals Win Fifth game in a row!

2006-09-05T08:20:00.000-05:00

Ortiz adds another win to his total, moving to 10-12 after pitching 8.2 innings, and coming within 2 hits of first Nationals no-hitter. Ortiz ended up giving up 1 run off of 2 hits (home-run) and 3 walks, striking out 5 in 95 pitches (62 strikes). Cordero finished the game and got the last out. Ortiz also went 2 for 3 at the plate, including his first major-league home-run in the 8th inning (after which he promptly turned around and gave up a home-run in the top of the ninth).

Everyone except Schneider got a hit in the game, and only Ortiz had a multi-hit game for the Nationals. Castro’s hit was his 1st double of the year, as was Logan’s hit. Soriano (36), Zimmerman (40), and Johnson (41) also hit doubles, while Kearns (22) and Ortiz (1), as mentioned, hit home-runs. Lopez stole his 34th base.

Box score

I’ve mentioned Nook Logan before, but didn’t realize that he was actually acquired from Detroit for either cash or a player to be named. 2005 was Logan’s first full-time season: .258 batting average, 17 RBI, 23 SB, and “Logan's speed allowed him to rank second among AL leaders in outfield putouts per 9.0 innings (2.9), infield hits (sixth with 27), stolen base percentage (eighth at 79%) and stolen bases (tied for ninth with 23).” If I’m reading the press release correctly, Logan was “named the third-fastest runner in the American League in a Baseball America survey of league managers” in 2005.

Logan press release

And I had mentioned the call-ups before, but didn’t actually mention all five or link to the press release. On 9/2/06, the Nationals called up infielder Melvin Dorta (age: 24), outfielder George Lombard (30), RHP Chris Booker (29), Brett Campbell (24), & Beltran Perez (24). All but Perez come up from the New Orleans squad, and Perez is from AA Harrisburg. Dorta was hitting .433 in New Orleans (8 games). Lombard hit .302 with 10 doubles and 10 home-runs, 24 RBIs, and 19 SB. Booker pitched with three minor-league teams this season, combined record of 2-2, 4.29. Campbell also pitched with three different minor-league teams, and has a combined record of 3-5, 16 saves, 3.12 ERA. Perez has pitched both in the starting rotation and out of the bullpen. He has a record of 8-6, 1 save, and an ERA of 3.11.
Press Release

Tonight (if it isn’t rained out):
RHP Pedro Astacio leads the team towards their possible 6th straight win with his record of 3-4, 6.12 ERA. RHP Jeff Suppan, 10-7, 4.61, will start for the Cardinals and try to stop the Nationals streak.

A Look Ahead:
Wednesday: Cardinals RHP Chris Carpenter (13-6, 2.87) vs. LHP Billy Traber (3-3, 7.36) (home)
Thursday: Rockies RHP Aaron Cook (9-13, 4.15) vs. Jason Bergmann (0-1, 6.24) plus start of regular season of NFL (away)
Friday: Rockies RHP Byung-Hyun Kim (8-10, 5.35) vs. RHP Tony Armas (8-10, 5.23) - watch this game, some want to add Kim to our rotation. (Away).
Saturday: Rockies RHP Josh Fogg (9-9, 5.36) vs. RHP Ramon Ortiz (10-12) (away).

Washington Wins! DC United Wins! Slump Over!: MLS Examination, Part III: Second game watched on TV

2006-09-03T20:17:00.000-05:00

My seats weren't the best at RFK at my one and only time at RFK to watch the United team, but I now realize, after seeing my second United game on TV, that the seats were great compared to what is available on the tv. At times, it looked like I was watching ants kick something small and white on the tv screen. Really makes me appreciate attending an MLS game live and in person. So, apparently, the MLS is slowly approaching the position of being one of the few sports that I prefer watching live (sports in this category: baseball, hockey, auto racing (as in Indy 500)).

Tonight's game (or today's as the game occured on the West coast), was very exciting. A 2-1 victory by DC United, that featured great play by Christian Gomez, and the introduction, at least in a regular season game, of Matias Donnett. I'm a beginning fan, and not yet comfortable with examining the game in something like a recap, so I'll just say: United scored first in the 3rd minute, as Gomez kicked a free kick into the net on minute 2:39. Oh, and first foul at minute 1:56 by Kjestan of Chivas. Minute 17:21: Yellow Card issued to Bobby Boswell. Minute 22:16: Yellow Card issued to Alecko Eskandarian. 29:21: Gomez receives Yellow Card for dissent (dissent?). 31:07 Goal scored by Chivas during penalty kick, scored by Claudio Suarez. Immediately thereafter Gomez ran down the field with the ball and scored in minute 32:39, Gomez's second goal of the match. HALF: Matias Donnett enters game. More Yellow Cards issued, and two red cards issued (Chivas Juan Francisco Palencia (Abusive Language) & United's Joshua Gros (Abusive Language)). No more goals scored, game over after 6:09 of stoppage play.

As I said, not yet ready to recap MLS games. Mostly in imputing my thoughts and opinions.

5 game slump ended.
Box Score.

Next Game: 8:30 @ Chicago - 9/06/06 - US Open Cup
Next Regular Game: 7:30 @ RFK - Real Salt Lake (9-12-5) - 9/9/06.

Nationals win three come-from-beyond games in a row, Sweep Diamondbacks; Sept. call-ups greatly help team

2006-09-03T17:00:00.000-05:00

As mentioned, Friday's game postponed to Saturday.

Saturday: Game 1:
Arizona took early 2-0 lead in the top of the second inning, and Nationals responded with 1 run in the bottom of the inning. Diamondbacks pull into 6-1 lead after end of top half of 8th inning (Nationals run: Castro singled in Church in 2nd inning). Diamondbacks will obviously win leading 6-1 in top of 8th, right? Wrong.

Bottom of 8th inning:
Pena pitching for Arizona. Lopez strikes out to lead off inning. Zimmerman then strikes out. Looking bad. Johnson up, doubles with 2 outs against Nationals chances. Kearns walks. Church up. Church hits 8th home-run of the year. Three runs score. Schneider strikes out to end inning. End of 8: Arizona 6, Nationals 4.

Rauch pitches 9th inning, does not allow a runner to score (also, no runners on base).

Bottom of 9th. Old Orioles closer Jorge Julio enters the game. Castro walks. Fick strikes out for Rauch. Soriano hits his 44th home-run. 2 runs score. Game tied. 1 out. Will Nationals use last 2 outs to win? No. Lopez walks, Vizcaino relieves Julio, Zimmerman grounds out (FC), Johnson strikes out.

Bottom of 11th:
Castro walks, Fick sac hit - Castro to second. Soriano IBB, Lopez unintentionally walks. Basses loaded for Zimmerman with 1 out. Zimmerman walks, Castro scores, game over score 7-6 Nationals.

Box Score

Saturday: Night game: The Return of Hernandez:
Jason Bergmann vs. Livan Hernandez.
Bergmann pitches 7 very solid innings, giving up just 3 runs off of 4 hits (1 HR) and 2 walks (4 Ks). Lowers ERA to 6.24. Unforunately, Bergmann leaves game before Nationals win, and Rivera picks up his second career victory. Cordero saves his 24th game. Hernandez went 7.2 innings, giving up 11 hits (2 HR), 4 runs, 1 walk and striking out 7.

Arizona lead 3-1 until bottom of 8th inning when Nationals scored 3 more runs to win game (Save by Cordero in top of 9th). Fick started at catcher, lowered average to .220. Schneider enters mid-inning as catcher as Cordero didn't want to pitch to Fick anymore. Dorta started at SS, goes 2 for 4, average now .400. Nook Logan started in CF - makes good defensive play, gets two hits in 4 plate appearances, leaves with .400 average. Johnson hit 40th double of year. Zimmerman hit 18th home-run. Kearns hit 21st home-run. Soriano stole his 35th base, and Dorta caught stealing for 2nd time this year.

Box Score

Today's (Sunday) win:
Armas pitched 6.1 innings, gave up 3 runs off off 4 hits (1 HR), and 4 walks (plus struck out 2). Wagner pitched rest of 7th, and all of 8th inning, picked up his 3rd win of season (now 3-2, ERA of 4.00). Rauch picked up his first save of his career by pitching 9th inning.

Washington got the early lead in the first inning scoring 1 run. Kept that lead until the 5th when the Diamondbacks tied the game off of home-run by Tracy (16th). Diamondbacks add two more runs, take 3-1 lead, but Nationals respond in bottom of 8th inning with 4 runs, take 5-3 win from Diamondbacks, and sweep them. Nationals managed just 7 hits with their 5 runs, plus just 3 walks. Still left 11 base runners on base. Kearns hit his 30th double of the year, Soriano stole his 36th base of year. Soriano needs just 4 more stolen bases for magical 40 (SB) - 40 (HR) season. Needs 6 HR and 14 SB for even more magical 50-50 season.

Sorry for bad recap for today's game - did not see nor watch - family affair, then watched movie "The Illusionist" (though I did watch Saturday games, and provided bad recap). Good movie.

Box Score

Call-ups help:
Some guy named Chris Booker with a career era of 29.25 pitches 5th inning in Saturday day game (Traber pitched only 4 innings). Booker struck out 1 and gave up zero runs/hits/walks. Ended up with an era of 27 for his efforts (according to box score, stats page lists his era as 0.00 for 2006). Some guy named Beltran Perez made his major league debut (according to stats), and pitched 6th and 7th innings, giving up just 1 hit. Logan PH in day game, started night game, went 2 for 5 for day (and started today, went 1 for 3 with 1 run scored, average dropped to .375). Dorta went 2 for 4 in Saturday night game. Some guy named George Lombard pinch hit in 7th inning of Saturday night game, struck out (did not help).

Barry Svrluga's National Pastime book:
Much better book than expected, really gives a deeper connection and feeling to the names and people that I either have seen used, or never knew existed.

Covers first season, and return to Washington, D.C. of baseball. Recommend this book. I'm not a book reviewer, just a fan, so take this comment as it stands. Sorry can't provide a "book review" for the readers. I haven't done a review in more than a year.

Friday's game postponded until 1:05 pm Saturday September 2, 2006

2006-09-01T16:26:00.000-05:00

Probably everyone that would care about this information already know, and those that don't are not likely to visit here.

So, tickets for Sept. 1, 2006 game can either be used for the make-up game scheduled for 1:05 Sept. 2, 2006, or "exchanged for comparably-priced tickets and are subject
to availability. Tickets may be exchanged at the Nationals
Box Office located at RFK Memorial Stadium or mailed to
the following address:

The Washington Nationals
C/o Season Ticket Services
RFK Stadium, Gate F
2400 E. Capitol Street, SE
Washington, DC 20003"

The information is vaguely confused in the e-mail I received:
"Please note that tickets for the September 1 game will
not be valid for the second game of the doubleheader on
September 2, scheduled for 7:05."

and then later:

"you may exchange your September 1 tickets for
any remaining 2006 regular season game (including the
second game of the September 2 doubleheader)"

I assume that they just mean that you can't see the Sept. 2 game and the make-up game scheduled at 1:05 pm. Just as those ticket-holders with Sept. 2nd tickets can't use their tickets to see both Sept. 2 games.

"Tickets must be received by the Nationals at least five
(5) days prior to the game requested for exchange.

Certainly, should you have questions or if we can be of
help, please contact us at 202/675-NATS (6287)."

So, anyone with 2 tickets for both tonight's game and tomorrow's game could, conceivably, exchange their Sept. 1 tickets for night game tickets, and have four people go to the game, sitting in similarly priced seats, though likely not near each other. Of course: "subject to availability." Oh and that 5 day issue, I assume they are referring to mail, or they would not have mentioned the possibility of using the Sept. 1 tickets for the night game.

Right, as mentioned, everyone probably has already been informed. This means, of course, that I have only two things that I could blog about tomorrow: 1) the pictures (the few) that I took for Thursday's game; 2) the "Today in Baseball History" segment (assuming that games were played some time in history on Sept. 9th; I assume it is possible, but highly unlikely, that no games have ever been played on Sept. 9th).

Nationals Win Exciting Game (6-5), Ship Ward to Atlanta and Anderson to the Dodgers

2006-09-01T09:44:00.000-05:00

Last night’s game was exciting to see in person. The game was colder than expected, but at least none of the expected rain shower hit during the game.

Astacio started and actually made it past the third inning for the first time since his complete game. He made it to the sixth inning, and recorded two outs in that inning before being relieved by Rivera. Astacio gave up 4 runs off of 8 hits and 2 walks in the 99 pitches he threw in 5.2 innings of work (with 62 strikes).

The Nationals scored first in the bottom of the first inning, when Kearns hit a sacrifice fly, which allowed Lopez to score and Zimmerman to move to third base (Johnson had walked, and was on first base after the sac fly, if I remember correctly). Anderson then was up and hit a single to drive in Zimmerman and move Johnson to third. Score after 1: 2-0, Nationals.

The Phillies then scored a series of unanswered runs in the second inning (1 run), fourth inning (1 run off of Howard’s 49th home-run (Phillies record) to tie the game 2-2), and 2 more runs in the sixth inning to take a 4-2 lead.

Bottom of the ninth, score 4-2, Nationals up. Anderson pushes the ball forward, pitcher retrieves ball, and makes a throwing error - Anderson safe at first (going somewhat by memory here). Schneider then doubled, moving Anderson to third base. Castro then struck out. 1 out, runners on first and third. Mateo PH for closer Cordero - grounds out. 2 outs, runners at first and third. Soriano up. Soriano had been 0 for 4 up to this point, but Rhodes didn’t want to face him, and intentionally walked Soriano. Lopez now up, bases loaded, 2 outs, game on the line. Lopez hits a single, Anderson and Schneider score the Nationals third and fourth runs of the game, and Soriano moves to second. 2 outs, tie game, runners on 2nd and first, Zimmerman up - and out (strike-out).

Cordero is out of the game (PH for in ninth), so Wagner comes in to pitch the tenth inning. Gets the first batter he faces to ground out. 1 out. Hits the Phillies catcher. 1 out, runner on first. Nunez up, the sub .200 batter. Nunez hits into what, if I recall correctly, should have been a double play, but Johnson misfired the ball. Lieberthal (the catcher) was out at second, but due to the nature of the throw, and catch, there wasn’t a good shot at getting Nunez out at first. 2 outs, runner at first. Jeff Conine comes up to bat for Rhodes. Yes, the 40 year-old Conine who had appeared in 4 previous at-bats this year. Conine singles, Nunez to third. Wagner misfires the ball, or as it is officially recorded, Schneider lets the ball get past him, and Nunez scores during the play for the potential winning run, and Conine moves to second base. 2 outs, runner at second, and Phillies in lead by 1 run. Rollins is walked. Inning finally over when Victornio is struck out.

Bottom of 10th, Nationals at-bat. Johnson leads off with a single (a strange little single, with Johnson stumbling down the basepath, and the ball apparently misplayed, no error given though). Kearns out, fly out. Anderson singles, Johnson moves, slowly, to second base. Schneider up. 1 out, runners on first and second. Schnedier singles, Johnson scores (I guess Johnson really can run, then), Anderson moves to second. Game tied 5-5. 1 out, runners at first and second. Castro up - and out, though, and importantly, Anderson moves to third. Church PH for Wagner. Pitch to Church, pitch rolls past catcher, Anderson runs home, catcher retrieves ball and fires it to the pitcher who lunges towards Anderson, Anderson slides past the tag and is safe at home (I suppose the play is somewhat confused in my mind). Nationals WIN!

Wagner picks up his second win of the season. Lopez committed another error (Harper threw the ball to get a base-runner out, who was trying to steal second, but Lopez missed catching the perfect throw), but also went 3 for 5 with 2 RBI. Zimmerman was 2 for 5, Johnson was 2 for 4, Anderson made a great catch in centerfield and was 3 for 5, with 2 runs scored and 1 RBI (and then traded). Harper started, but went 0 for 2. When a reliever came into the game, Schneider stood in the batters box to PH for Harper, but after the inning went to two outs, Ward PH for Harper. Schneider came in to play catcher, and went on to go 2 for 2 with 1 run and 1 RBI. Astacio went 1 for 2.

Box Score - the pictures from the game will be posted tonight, hopefully, though there is supposed to be a game tonight.

Daryle Ward traded to Atlanta Braves for pitching prospect Luis Atilano
Atilano is a right-handed starting pitcher who is both 21 years old and on the DL (had Tommy John surgery on August 10th). Atilano was drafted in the first round (35th pick) in 2003 (First-Year Player Draft).

According to the Baseball Cube, Atilano pitched in 2003 with the Gulf Coast Braves (Rookie level), and posted a 3-2, 3.83 ERA in 12 games started (1 CG, 1 SH; line: 54.0IP 61H 25R 23ER 5HR 7BB 24SO). In 2004, 19 year old Atilano pitched with Danville at the Rookie level. He went 5-1 with an ERA of 4.20 in 13 games started (64.1 IP, 64 Hits, 54 strike-outs, 10 walks). 2005: Rome, Single A team, 8-9, 4.17 in 24 games started, 136 IP 138 hits 32 walks 66 strike-outs. 2006: Myrlte Beach, High A level, 6-7, 4.50 in 19 games, 18 started. 116 IP 134 hits 27 walks 45 strike-outs.

Press release

Anderson (and cash) dealt to the Dodgers in return for pitching prospect Nunez
The 20-year-old Nunez is a right-handed pitcher and in 2006 has a record of 6-0, with an ERA of 1.58 in 10 games (7 started). 57 IP, 56 strike-outs. First two years were spent in the Dominican Summer League, where he went 8-4 in 26 games (18 starts). Overall, combining the rookie level work this year, and the two years in the Summer League, gives him a minor league career total of 14-4, 2.02 ERA in 36 games (25 starts).

Press release

Tonight: Probably Rain-out, or:
RHP Miguel Batista (10-5, 4.46) vs. LHP Billy Traber (3-3, 7.14)
Traber did not do well in his last start, 2.2 innings pitched, and has lost his last two games. Batista worked 8 innings in his last start, giving up just 3 runs off of 8 hits, but did not pick up a win (or a loss).

Today in Baseball History & Nationals Lose 1-5 last night

2006-08-31T09:10:00.000-05:00

40 years ago on this date (August 31, 2006):
Washington Senators played two games at Municipal Stadium against the Kansas City Athletics. The Kansas City Athletics had started life as the Philadelphia Athletics and played from 1901-1954 in Philly, winning 5 World Championships, and 9 Pennants. The Athletics moved to Kansas City for the 1955 season and stayed there until 1967. They moved to Oakland and have been the Oakland Athletics ever since 1968. As the Oakland Athletics, the team has won 4 World Championships, and 6 Pennants. This verison of the Washington Senators was the one that started in 1961 immediately after the older verison of the Washington Senators moved to and became the Minnesota Twins. This version of the Washington Senators played in Washington, D.C. from 1961-1971, before moving to and becoming the Texas Rangers.

The games:
Game One: Mike McCormick pitches a complete game 4 hit shutout for the Senators and won his 9th game of the season (ended 11-14 with an ERA of 3.46 for the 1966 season). McCormick appeared in two seasons with the Senators, 1965 & 1966 wearing number 16 and earning a salary of $24,000 per year. Gil Blanco started and pitched 5 innings for the Athletics, giving up 3 runs off of 5 hits and 4 walks. Blanco only appeared in two seasons in the majors, in 1965 with the Yankees and 1966 with the Athletics. Blanco wore number 28 with the Yankees and number 30 with the Athletics and made $6,000 for his 1966 efforts.

The runs: LF Frank “Hondo/Capital Punisher” Howard hit a 2 run 2 out home-run in the first inning, his 17th of the year. 3B Ken McMullen drove in Howard with a hit in the sixth inning. Senators win 3-0.

Game Two:
Senators lose 0-4 to the Athletics in their second game of the day. Barry Moore started for the Senators and picked up his second loss of the season, and Paul Lindblad started for the Athletics and picked up his 5th win of the season.

40 years ago the Washington Nationals franchise did not exist in any form. The franchise started in 1969 as the Montreal Expos.

On this day (8/31) in 1969, the Expos played two games, winning one 6-1, losing the other 2-5.

Game One:
The Expos lost their first game of the day 2-5 against the San Diego Padres (which, oddly enough, an organization tried to bring to Washington DC in 1973, but the effort, obviously, failed; NL voted on December 6, 1973). Jerry Robertson, wearing number 27, started for the Expos (Robertson played appeared two seasons in the MLB, first with the Expos in 1969, then with the Tigers in 1970). Robertson picked up his 12th loss of the season after pitching for 6 innings, and giving up 4 runs off of 5 hits and 1 walk. Dave Roberts (wearing number 15) started for the Padres but lasted only 3.1 innings, giving up 2 runs off of 5 hits and 2 walks. Roberts was also a rookie in 1969, and his last year playing in the MLB came in 1981 with the Mets.

The Runs (for the Expos): Rusty Staub hit a 1 out 1 on home-run in the third inning (his 25th HR of the year). That was all the runs the Expos scored in this game, but not for the day.

Game Two:
Rookie starting pitcher Steve Renko, wearing number 18, pitched a 1 run, 5 hit complete game win for the Expos (Renko’s sixth win of the season). Veteran Joe Niekro, wearing number 37, started for the Padres and lasted 7 innings, giving up just 2 runs off of 7 hits and 2 walks (Niekro took the loss, his 13th loss of the season).

The Expos runs: SS Bobby Wine hit his 3rd home-run of the season in the 2nd inning with 0 on and 1 out. LF Mack Jones hit his 21st home-run of the season with 2 on and 0 out in the 8th inning. Not sure how the other 3 Expos runs scored, though I know that Staub had 1 RBI in the game, and Fairly also had an RBI in the game (in addition to Wine’s 1 with his HR and Jones 3 with his HR). Expos won 6-1.

Tonight:
And on this date in 2006, The Nationals will face the Philadelphia Phillies tonight at 7:05 pm at RFK Stadium. The game, though, might get rained out.

RHP Pedro Astacio, with a record of 3 wins and 4 losses (6.10 ERA), will take the mound for the Nationals, and LHP Randy Wolf (3-0, 5.58) will start for the Phillies. This will be Wolf’s seventh start since coming back from Tommy John surgery. Astacio will try to make it past the third inning tonight, after failing to do so in his last two starts (remember, though, that three starts ago, Astacio pitched a complete game).

Last Night:
And on August 30, 2006, the Nationals faced the Phillies and lost 1-5.
Ramon Oritz, wearing number 26, took the mound for the Nationals and lasted six innings, giving up 3 earned runs (4 total) off of 5 hits and 2 walks. Schroder relieved Oritz and pitched the seventh and 8th innings. Rauch relieved Schroder and pitched most of the ninth inning, but gave up 1 more run. Wagner finished the ninth inning (1 out) and gave up zero runs, hits and walks. Ortiz picked up his 12th loss of the year.

Rookie starting pitcher Cole Hamels, wearing jersey number 35, started for the Phillies. Hamels pitched 8 innings and gave up just 1 run (HR) off of 4 hits and 2 walks. Hamels picked up his 7th win.

The runs: Soriano hit his 43rd home-run in the 8th inning with 1 out in the inning.

Box Score.

Nationals Almost Came back near the end, But failed, they still lost 6-10; Vidro: "Worst year I have ever been involved"

2006-08-30T14:59:00.000-05:00

Phillies take early 2-0 lead in first inning off of starting pitcher Tony Armas (with two out, and bases loaded, Burrell singled, driving in Rollins and Victorino), and eventually drive him from the game after 3.1 innings pitched giving up 5 runs (3 in the 4th) off of 8 hits (1 HR) and 1 walk (and 1 strike-out). Wagner pitched the rest of the 4th inning, and the fifth. He walked one batter, but gave up zero hits and runs, lowering his ERA to 4.80. Gryboski allowed the game to get out of reach when he took over the pitching duties in the sixth inning when he gave up 4 runs off of 4 hits. Gryboski’s ERA is now 14.29. Rivera pitched the seventh and allowed 1 more runner to score. Bergmann relieved Rivera and pitched the 8th and 9th innings. For a fifth starter, Bergmann sure is seeing a lot of time working out of the bullpen. Bergmann gave up 1 hit and 1 walk, but struck out three and allowed zero runs to score.

The Nationals pulled within one run when they scored a run (Soriano’s 42nd home-run) in the bottom of the third to make the score 2-1, but Armas, as mentioned, gave up three more runs in the fourth inning (2 run home-run by Lieberthal, double by Rollins which scored Nunez from second base), and the Nationals were never again so close to winning the game (they never lead, so you have to look for the closest score).

Nationals pulled within 2 runs after Zimmerman hits a triple (his 2nd) in the 5th inning (one of his 4 hits in the game, which also included a double (39th)), and both Castro and Soriano score. Score 3-5 when Gryboski entered the game. You need to look no further than the group of relievers that pitched in last night’s game to understand how bad the pitching has gotten at this point in the season. The game was winnable, in that there were 6 runs scored by the Nationals, but most of the pitchers should a distinct lack of major league pitching ability and this assessment includes Tony Armas. Of course, Wagner and Bergmann were good, but . . .. As I was saying, with the score 3-5, Gryboski entered the game in the top of the sixth and then gave up 4 runs (Nunez scored on throwing error by Johnson according to ESPN; Howard then hit a 3 run home-run). Game over 9-3? Might as well be, though the Nationals would score 3 more runs, those three runs would not have tied or won the game. Oh, and Rivera walked in a run in the 7th inning.

The Nationals rallyed in the 8th and ninth innings. Church singled in Vidro in the 8th, and in the ninth Zimmerman doubled in the to drive in Mateo, and Zimmerman scored off of Johnson’s ninth inning single. Kearns then doubled with 2 outs in the bottom of the ninth inning. With Johnson on third and Kearns on second, and with 2 outs, Vidro struck out. Three run home-run, Nationals would have been down by 1 run with 2 outs and with Church at the plate (or a PH). That scenario did not occur, and as mentioned Vidro struck out.

Vidro believes, with the exception of left fielder Alfonso Soriano and third baseman Ryan Zimmerman, nobody has played up to their capabilities. Vidro thought the Nationals would be better than the team that went 81-81 last year, but they were 55-75 and in fifth place in the National League East entering Tuesday's action.

- Nationals.com article

and: "This has been the worst year I have ever been involved -- by far," - Vidro is quoted as saying in that article.

Tonight:
Cole Hamels (6-7, 4.79) vs. Ramon Ortiz (9-11, 5.38).

Oh, and the Nationals will start 2006 at home.

Somewhat annoying that I started writing this about 7 hours ago, but kept getting interrupted, and then a long break. Oh well.

Blogger: What's going on?; Escobar out for rest of year

2006-08-29T10:14:00.001-05:00

Anyone know what's wrong with Blogger? For the last week I've been having problems working with blogger here on my own blog and on some others. The actual blogs appear to load (maybe slower, maybe not slower) reasonably well, but I can't seem to get my comments on some other people's blogs (quick note for any viewers of, or runners of The DCentersblog - thanks for the mention and link, lately I've just had 1 blog comment make it onto the blog, the others end up with an error message (something along the lines of "blog does not exist")). Sorry, to all who can't read my comments (brillant comments, I'm sure). :) Beyond the comment situation, I can't seem to get to Blogger.com 9 times out of ten (and the comments are through Blogger.com, not the individual blog). Odd that the blogs themselves are about 90% accessible, but Blogger.com is about 10% accessible.

Sorry to all looking for blog entries from me. Gets somewhat frustrating when I can't upload them.

And because this is a Nationals baseball blog, and entries on here tend, but do not always, automatically show up on some sports blogs:

Alex Esobar's season is over:
Escobar joined the DL on August 26 (RHP Kevin Gryboski rejoined the team, taking Esobar's now open spot) with a separated shouldar. MRI taken.

"Nationals center fielder Alex Escobar had an MRI on his right shoulder on Monday and it revealed that he has a tear in his right labrum and will have surgery within the next seven to 10 days. Escobar will miss the rest of the season, but is expected to be at 100 percent for Spring Training." Nationals.com article.

While I was “Away”, Weekend in Review: Nationals lost twice and won once

2006-08-28T10:36:00.000-05:00

The Nationals actually picked up a win on Friday, August 25th, 2006, breaking a five game losing skid. Ramon Ortiz pitched just 5 innings and gave up 4 runs off of 6 hits and 3 walks, and also struck-out 6. Ryan Wagner picked up his first win of the year by being the pitcher of record when the Nationals pulled ahead. He pitched the sixth and seventh innings, giving up zero runs off of 1 hit and struck out 3. His ERA dropped to 5.84. Rauch pitched the 8th and got a hold, and Rivera picked up his first major league save by pitching the ninth. Rivera did give up 2 runs off of 3 hits and 1 walk in that effort. Kearns hit his 20th home-run of the year and drove in 3 runs (and stole 1 base). Escobar went 3 for 3 with 1 RBI. Soriano picked up 2 more stolen bases, and went 2 for 4. Odd as it might seem, the Nationals committed zero errors in the game. Oh, and Damian Jackson was released by the team on Friday, and Robert Fick was reactivated.

Nationals won 7-6

Box score

Well, that was the win. Nationals then lost the series and two games in a row to the Braves.

Pedro Astacio lasted just 2.2 innings, again, on Saturday. After his complete game effort on August the 15th, Astacio has had back-to-back games of at most 2.2 innings pitched (2.0 on August 20th). On Saturday, Astacio gave up 6 runs off of 8 hits and 5 walks (and struck out 1). Schroder gave up an unearned run in relief, and Wagner pitched another scoreless inning. Gryboski returned and gave up 3 runs (1 earned) in his 2 innings of work. Johnson had two errors and Mateo had 1. Braves won 10-1.

box score

And then there was 1 game - Sunday: Nationals lost 6-13. Billy Traber had done will in his short time as a major league starter, but on Sunday he lasted just 2.2 innings. Traber gave up 8 runs off of 8 hits (1 home-run) and 2 walks while striking out 3. He now has a record of 3-3, and an ERA of 7.14. Rivera pitched the next 2.1 innings and gave up 3 runs off of 4 hits (1 HR) and 0 walks. Bergmann was called upon to return to relief work and pitched the sixth and seventh innings. He gave up 1 run off of 3 hits and also struck out 4. Cordero finished the game, and also gave up 1 run.

The Nationals jumped out to a 3 run lead in the top of the first inning, but this didn’t help Traber. Traber gave up 2 runs in the bottom of the first. Trying to help, the Nationals offense added 1 more run in the top of the 3rd inning to move the game to a 4-2 lead for the Nationals. Unfortunately, the Braves would then tie the game, and then add another 4 runs to take a 6-4 lead. They would add 3 more runs in the bottom of the 4th, while the Nationals tried to come back by scoring 2 runs in the top of th 5th. Score after 5: 6-11. The Nationals were done offensively, and the Braves would add two more runs, 1 in the 7th, and 1 in the 8th, to win 13-6.

Highlights: Soriano went 4 for 5 with 3 doubles (35), and 2 more stolen bases (34). Castro started, hit second, and played second - he went 1 for 5. Ward hit fourth and started at firstbase, he went 2 for 5 (1 double). Kearns went 2 for 3 with 2 RBI.

Box score

Tonight: Off day

Nationals end August with three games at home hosting the Phillies, Tuesday-Thursday.

My First MLS Game, Part II: Physical Presence at the Game, or They Live (and are not weird ghosts in the TV)!

2006-08-28T08:42:00.000-05:00

On Saturday August 26, in the year 2006, I attended the match at RFK Stadium in Washington DC between the best team in the MLS, DC United, and the worst team in the MLS, LA Galaxy. The game was DC United’s 24th regular season game (there are 32 regular season games, and during the season the team also plays “friendly” exhibition games and “U.S. Open Cup” games).
- View from our seats (with zoom); the ones wearing red are DC United players - warm-up/practice uniforms.
DC United entered the game slumping, having not won a game in their last four regular season games (3 ties, 1 loss), but still had just 2 losses before their game against the LA Galaxy got under way. United would have set a record if they had ended the year with just 2 losses. What happened? They lost. To the worst team in the MLS. They lost badly, 5-2. The LA Galaxy scored first and early, with Alan Gordon scoring on the fourth minute. In the ninth minute the score became tied 1-1. No, United didn’t score. One Galaxy defender was trying to clear the ball in front of his own net, the ball slammed into another Galaxy defender and bounced into the net for a goal. The recap on the MLS website says that the Galaxy defender that scored on his own team was Chris Albright - but I’m not sure if that is the one that kicked the ball or the one that had the ball bounce off him into the net. Half, score 1-1.
- for those Nationals fans - that’s the Nationals dugout.
Albright scored another goal to lead off the second half (2 minutes in), but this time knocked the ball into DC United’s net. Galaxy lead 2-1 at that point, and never lost the lead after that. Landon Donovan scored a penalty kick in the 66th minute to give Galaxy it’s needed winning goal. Needed? Because DC United was able to score another goal when Facundo Erpen scored his third goal of the season in the 69th minute with an assist by Christian Gomez. Bryan Namoff then scored on his own team in the 71st minute to make the score 4-2, and Landon Donovan picked up his 2nd goal of the game to lead Galaxy to a 5-2 win. That goal came during the injury play.
- DC United’s mascot.
Both Freddy Adu and Christian Gomez entered the game, but did not start due to injury. The team was overwhelmed by the play of Galaxy, which obviously means something is wrong, because a last place team should not have so dominated the game (DC United looked listless, and I would not be surprised if Nick Rimando took over as goal-keeper; remember three things: 1) Rimando is the higher paid, more experienced goalie, 2) Nowak likes to constantly change his goalies and his actions this year of allowing Perkins to start every game is unlike him, 3) Perkins played poorly in this game) . Oh, and DC United sure did get a lot of yellow cards in this game. Odd, didn’t realize until I looked at the recap, that both teams received the same number of yellow cards - three each.
- On Field reporter.
The ninety minute game ended up taking 1 hour and 51 minutes to complete and did not start on time, but about 10 minutes late. The late start time was surprising. The 1:51 was not (90 minutes of play, 15 minute overtime and about 6 minutes of injury time).
- La Norte - Screaming Eagles and Barra Brava
The large number of LA Galaxy fans was surprising and unexpected. The small number of La Norte fans was equally surprising. Screaming Eagles and Barra Brava, the other two DC United “supporters” were well represented. It just seems odd to see fans jumping up and down and screaming for ninety minutes without regard to the action on the field (the 5-2 loss).
- View from our seats, no zoom (or what the naked eyeball sees).
Right - the non-MLS fan perceptive (or new fan, not sure yet): We had great seats in terms of position of the field - we sat on the mid-field line. Bad seats otherwise, because the seats were the last row of the lower seating area - against the wall. The overhanging upper deck blocked the view of the scoreboard and time clock (for all I know, there wasn’t an active scoreboard/minute clock). And every time I stood up, I lost sight of the field. United scores, I stand up excited and cheer - lose sight of the field. Not as important as when I had to stand up every five minutes for the other people in the row to enter and exit and I lose sight of the active game.
- ball in play.
The game was interesting, and though I had an early impression that it might turn out to be somewhat similar to an in-person football (NFL) experience (in that I find it easier and more enjoyable to watch an NFL game on TV instead of in-person), I found that I had no problem following along and watch the little tiny ball bounce around. Tiny - well, if I ever attend another DC United event, I will want to sit much closer, some place where the players do not look so tiny.
- Ihemelu tries to score on his own goal (not really).
The game: I was and am annoyed that my first experience at a live MLS regular season game involved “my” team losing 5-2. Especially as they lost to the worst team in the MLS (both leagues). Of course, the Galaxy team is now not the worst team in the MLS after their win.
- National Anthem.
Would I attend another MLS game? All the regular season games for the rest of the season, except for two (9/13 - Wednesday game @ New England, and 10/07 Saturday New England game - what’s the deal with not broadcasting New England games?) will be televised. None of the non-regular season games will be televised (both games are in the other team’s stadium). I will probably try to watch the rest of the season, but will likely not see another game in-person this season. The only game that I might decide to attend would be that 1 New England game at RFK on 10/07, since that one will not be televised on anything I can see. I will see if I can get into and be excited by the rest of this year’s games, and then make a decision on whether I add a third sport to watch (add to NFL, and MLB; I'll likely readd the NHL at some point, I was a causal fan, they had a strike, and I haven't seen a game since - the question is whether I readd the NHL as my third sport I watch, or my fourth).

Right, sorry that this is more of a recap of the game than a recap of my experiences.
Recap (as in a professional write up of the game).

The Nationals Don't Lose! The Nationals Don't Lose!

2006-08-25T12:13:00.000-05:00

Oh, I'm sorry, they didn't play last night, my mistake.

Three points to be made:
1) I'm taking today off as there is nothing to blog about.
2) Ortiz pitches tonight against James and the visiting Braves.
3) I will be attending tomorrow night's DC United game and will likely not have anything to post until after I see that game. As the game starts at 7:30 pm, I will probably also take Saturday off from blogging. There will be the United game to blog about on Sunday, though that isn't baseball. I hope the Nationals win tonight and tomorrow night so I'll have something good to say about the team.

The Solar System lost a planet on Thursday

2006-08-24T09:38:00.000-05:00

The planet swung to a new heading and headed off to find a more attractive location. We will all be saddened to see the planet go, but if it is it's time to move on . . .

The Redskins can't win a preseason game (those games don't matter), the United have lost the ability to win a regular season game (they didn't lose, but tied, and won their most recent non-regular season game - a cup game), and the Nationals are in a 5 game losing skid (um, can't think of anything nice to say). What more can happen?

That planet flying off to look for a new location to sit and stay frozen? Well - it didn't leave, it's still in the solar system, so how did our solar system lose a planet? Simple enough. The people that decide whether a particular body of dead frozen rocks is a planet or a particularly large moon/asteroid/comet/ancient spaceship hidden in rock, have decided that the ninth planet in our solar system is not in fact a planet. Goodbye Pluto, you are no longer a planet. Sorry.

Oh, and Pluto isn't a planet anymore.

Now let us all sing that theme song from the television series "Enterprise." Or not (it had something to do with getting from here to there, or something).

What does this have to do with the Nationals? Well, it could be worse for the Nationals, they could be stripped of their status and become nothing more than a group of men wearing funny clothing and swinging at small white objects with sticks torn out of trees. Or demoted to a minor league team. Nope, that has not yet happened. The Nationals remain a major league ballclub. Pluto, though, is now nothing more than a dwarf planet.

Odd, NASA sent a probe to Pluto that will not arrive for 961/27 years? What the heck is 961/27 years? 96,127 years? NASA set a probe that will not arrive for 96,127 years? It's not days/years because 27 years in days is 9855 days (9855/27; days/years).

It was unclear how Pluto's demotion might affect the mission of NASA's New Horizons spacecraft, which earlier this year began a 961/27-year journey to the oddball object to unearth more of its secrets.

I'm sure the Ape men that will come to dominate earth will be happy to receive the data from the probe. On the other hand the sun will be dead at that point . . .

DC United finally pulls out of it's slump and wins a game

2006-08-24T08:08:00.000-05:00

Unfortunately, it isn't a regular season game but a U.S. Open Cup game. Oh, and a slump without losses, what a league, eh (the slump involved the team picking up three ties in a row)?

So that Cup game - 8,637 people watched the game in person, and no one else watched, as far as I can tell. No tv coverage, no radio coverage. Might have been internet coverage. Read about what happened in the game in this article on the DC United official website.

Why am I talking about DC United, and not the Nationals? Simple. I was tired of the Nationals losing yesterday, and then they went and lost again.

Once again the Nationals took the lead early only to see the lead immediately overtaken by the other team in the bottom of the first inning. End of 1: a manageable 2 run deficit with the Marlins ahead 3-1. Then the Marlins added 5 more runs in the bottom of the 2nd and that was all the runs the Marlins would need, though they would add 1 more run in the third. The Nationals? They would make it interesting, yet again, by picking up an additional 6 runs to add to their initial 1 run scored in the first. They lost the game 7-9, and were swept in the series.

Highlights (and the lowlights, eh?): Good thing they demoted Hughes and didn't bring up another pitcher, right? Oops, Armas lasted only 1.2 innings, giving up 5 earned runs (8 total) off of 10 hits (1 home-run) and 2 walks (and struck out 1). Schroder relieved Armas and pitched a surprising 3.1 solid innings, giving up just 1 run off of 1 hit (a home-run) and 1 walk while striking out 4. Lopez went 3 for 4, stole a base (his 33rd of the year) and committed two more errors (24 errors now). Escobar returned to the line-up and went 2 for 4 - a double (3) and a triple (2). Mateo started and covered third base, giving Zimmerman the night off, and went 2 for 5, with his first home-run of the year. Harper again started, this time going 1 for 3, lowering his batting average to .412. Castro started at second and also went 1 for 3. Jackson also entered the game, but at least only as a pinch hitter. He somehow didn't commit an error while pinch hitting.

Odd starting line-up, with Ward at 1st, Mateo at 3rd, Castro at 2B and Harper as catcher.

The Nationals have now lost 5 in a row. They have an off day today, and then visit the Braves.

box score

Cabrera powers historic outcome: Miguel Cabrera hit two homers to help Scott Olsen become the third Marlins rookie to win at least 10 games, the first time that has happened since 1952

'Frustrated' Nationals Irk Bowden - Washington Post recap

The door to the visiting manager's office at Dolphin Stadium swung open late Wednesday night, and the entire coaching staff of the Washington Nationals marched in. There, they met General Manager Jim Bowden, blue blazer on his back, a piercing gaze emanating from his eyes. These are not happy times around the Nationals, who have all but embarrassed themselves in the midst of a nine-game road trip.

Washington Times recap "With key regulars getting the night off and a lineup that resembled a Class AAA affiliate, the Washington Nationals desperately needed a good outing."

I have nothing more. I don't really care about the DC United team, and their win is not as helpful as it might seem. No games tonight involving anyone (as in DC United or Washington Nationals) I'll have nothing to talk about tomorrow. Maybe tomorrow I'll pretend to have an interest in fly-fishing.

You know, I was thinking about this on the way to work today - Washington DC now has an MLS team (which continues to shine with little fanfare; DC United), an NHL team (I don't recall the last time I watched; Washington Capitals), an NBA team (are they still called the Wizards?; Washington Wizards), a WNBA team (WNBA, right?; Washington Mystics), an NFL team (Washington Redskins), and a MLB team (Washington Nationals). No college sports that I care about, though. Sometimes basketball gets interesting, but I don't care for basketball. Of all the sports mentioned, I seem to only pay attention to the Nationals and the Redskins. The Nationals are not expected to be any good until the turn of the next century (oops, I mean 2010), and while the Redskins are interesting now, I need something more. I'll give soccer a shot. If you find me at an WNBA game, you know I've fallen far and am really grasping at straws (and actually say the same if you saw me at an NBA game, I'm boycotting basketball (the team I played on never lost a game, I've mentally crossed basketball off the list of sports to life through as a player or spectator). Tennis is sometimes amusing to watch, but I don't really have good access to it. NASCAR is rapidly overtaking America, but I also don't have in-person access to that. Soccer it is, then. Oh, just to further bore you - I've always been a casual fan of the Washington Capitals, which is why when I decided to add a third sport to pay attention to, I went with the DC United. I wanted something new, something I've never paid any attention to before, in my entire life (other than playing the sport a couple years when I was something like 5). That and the team seems to keep winning championships, and the Caps just flirt with the playoffs. Hopefully, this time next year I'll have four sports to pay attention to: baseball, football, soccer, hockey. Too bad the local (short-drive; my school won the 2004 I-AA football championship, but they are too far away to go to more than 1 game a year) area college programs are not particularly good in anything except basketball.

So tired, so very very tired

2006-08-23T07:59:00.000-05:00

As all probably already know, the Nationals lost yet again. And they've lost yet another series. One more meaningless game against the Marlins then an off day. Then three days in Atlanta, then an off-day, and then return to RFK to host the Phillies to end August. Then three Arizona games, three Cardinals games and then back on the road again with Willie Nelson (just for the record, I included the Nelson reference before I noticed the Ring of Fire reference, oh and you can hear the song if you go here, and find Cash's name and then click on the audio symbol).

Right, yesterday's meaningless game and recap: Florida jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the first inning, but the Nationals, eventually, came back and tied the game in the top of the third inning. Game tied until 5th, when the Nationals pull out to a 1 run lead, but the Marlins respond immediately in the bottom of the 5th to even up the run total. Back into the lead again for the Nationals in the top of the sixth, only to see the Marlins tie the game again the the bottom of the sixth and then pull out into the lead. To make things interesting, almost, the Nationals then tied the game in the top of the 8th, before the Marlins got tired of all this excitement and scored three runs in the bottom of the 8th to take the game. The Nationals would add 1 more run in the 9th, but that's that.

Reliever Bergmann pitched 6 solid innings, giving up 4 runs off of 6 hits, 2 walks and gave up 2 home-runs. He also struck-out 3 (solid? - he's a relief pitcher). Wagner lost the game by giving up 3 runs, though all were unearned. Judging by the various recap headlines, I expected to see more than just two errors. Two is enough to cost the game. Zimmerman committed his 11th error (fielding) and Lopez committed his 220th error (oops, 22nd error - throw). For two days running, Jackson was, thankfully, not anywhere near the game play. Before the game relief pitcher Hughes was sent down and infielder/outfielder Mateo was brought up (ah, who needs a bullpen? not that I don't mind Hughes demotion, but Mateo? can he pitch?). Mateo entered last nights game and grounded into a double play for Church in the 8th, leaving 2 men on base. Harper started and picked up 2 more hits (his second double), 1 more run, and left 2 more runners on base. Harper is now hitting .429. Instead of a race to see if Harper can be the backup next year, how about having him start next year. No? Oh, and Kearns hit a home-run (his 18th home-run and his only hit in the game), and Johnson hit a home-run (his 19th).

Box Score
Press Release about Mateo joining team
"Nationals' Defense 'Springs a Leak'" - Post recap.

This is how it goes for the Washington Nationals in these long, dreary days of August. Take the lead, then give it right back. Make a good pitch to a savvy hitter, then watch a fielder boot the ball. Tie the score in the top of the eighth inning, then give it away in the bottom half, tossing in a bit of unsightly defense for good measure.

"We seem like we're the kid at the dike, you know?" Manager Frank Robinson said. "Put one finger in this hole, and another one springs a leak. Put one over there, and the other one springs a leak. We're losing ballgames in any way, all ways, that we can. It makes it tough."

"Nationals fall apart behind late errors" - Times recap

The Washington Nationals lived up to their billing last night as baseball's worst fielding team, giving up three unearned runs in the eighth inning of a 7-5 loss to the Florida Marlins before 10,260 at Dolphin Stadium.
The Nationals' poor performance in the field ruined a solid outing by starting pitcher Jason Bergmann and Nick Johnson's big game at the plate.

10,260 attendence at Dolphin Stadium?

" Marlins Capitalize on Zimmerman's Miscue" - AP recap of the game on WTOP.

"Ring of Fire" - "The Curly W"'s take on the game. The game was an old helium balloon. Um, ok. Much better entry than mine, though, as he gives the game and the team the right amount of attention.

Mateo story in the Times

The move comes after Damian Jackson's three-error game Sunday in Philadelphia. With off days tomorrow and Monday, the Nationals didn't need to carry an extra pitcher. And with baseball's rosters expanding to 40 players on Sept. 1, the Nationals think their pitching will hold up until then.
In 113 games this year for the Zephyrs, Mateo hit .254 with two home runs and 35 RBI. Mateo leads the Pacific Coast League with 33 stolen bases and was caught just 11 times.

All about those team unwearable team jerseys Unwearable? Because the jersey has the name of a player no longer on the team.

"Jim Bowden: When a deadline is not exactly a deadline" "Most fans don’t understand waivers. So I’ll explain it to you." - Bowden explains how he was able to trade Hernandez after the trade deadline had passed.

Unconditional release

If a player is placed on waivers with the intention of unconditional release, the other 29 teams can claim his contract for $1. If no team claims the contract, the team who placed him on waivers will continue to pay the player’s contract until he signs with another team. This type of waiver usually applies to players who no longer provide a benefit at the major league level and make too much money to continue playing in the minors — Luis Matos, for example.
Assignment to the minors, without the right of recall

Like the previous condition, the other 29 teams can claim his contract. This time the waiver fee is $20,000. If no team claims the player’s contract, the player reports to his assigned minor league team.

Outright waivers remove a player from the team’s 40-man roster. This type of waiver usually applies to players who do not make as much money and could serve a purpose in a team’s minor league system. One such example is Marlon Byrd, who is now with our Class AAA in New Orleans.

and then there are revocable waivers.

Tonight:
DC United (13-2-6) vs. New York Red Bulls (5-6-9) at 7:30pm.
The game will not be on tv, and no, you will not be able to hear it on the radio. At least according to the official DC United website. You can, though, see it life, as the game will be at RFK (if you live near RFK). This is not a normal game, it is a "Open Cup affair". Read about it at DC United's website.

I read the article. I'm still confused about what's going on at RFK, so I'll turn my attention back to the Nationals:

try to pick up another sport to watch, then that sport suddenly starts doing odd things like play for Cups in the middle of the season (actually slightly past the middle)

Also Tonight:
Tony Armas (8-8, 4.73) pitches for the Nationals and LHP Scott Olsen (9-7, 4.49) pitches for the Marlins in the last game in the series. The series that the Marlins have already won.

So sorry

2006-08-22T08:31:00.000-05:00

The Nationals are not making it easy for me to find something to write about. Only so often can I write “Nationals lost, here’s how” (not that I’ve actually ever used those words before).

Well, here’s something - a question and answer about Damian Jackson in the Mailbag segment on Nationals.com.

Isn't it time the Nats stop using outfielder Damian Jackson in important situations? Sunday's three-error performance was atrocious.
-- Robert L., Leesburg, Va.

No, I do not. Not playing Jackson will only make it worse. He made the errors, in part, because of lack of playing time. I have to commend Jackson for coming forward on Sunday and admitting that he was at fault. He didn't make any excuses.

Well, Rob, not to disagree to violently with Bill, but I believe that Damian should be immediately dropped from the team. What’s the point of continuing to employ him? Was there reason to have ever employed him? The answer to that question is: no. Jackson has made $2.23 million in his career from 1998-2003 according to Baseball-Reference (notice: he played in the majors in 2004 and 2005 and is currently in the majors, his salary for those years is not included in the $2.23 million). According to Cot’s Baseball Contracts, Jackson is making $700,000 this year, so it’s just 2004 and 2005 that are unclear. He has played at least 6 years in the majors and has made at least $2.93 million dollars. The time has come for Jackson to retire. Except for the few games he played in the majors as a 24 year-old in 1998, Jackson has never shown that he could play at the major league level, or should play at a major league level. He was somehow good enough for a series of teams to allow him to play in the majors and he has become a multi-millionaire for his efforts. There is no reason to believe that Jackson has any real future in the majors, and so he should immediately retire and go off an play with his millions, or whatever is left. He is currently a multi-millionaire 32 year-old man, in the prime of his life. He has money and youth, why waste it showing how poorly he can play baseball?

Right, sorry, I was supposed to mention last night’s game, right? Ok, the Nationals lost. There, happy? No? Ok, so sorry.

Strange as it might seem, Traber actually pitched a quality start for the Nationals. Unfortunately, though Traber gave up just 3 runs in his 6.2 innings of work, and all three runs in the 7th inning, the Nationals were able to manage just 1 home-run against the Marlins. The Marlins won 3-1.

The game was tied 0-0 until the top of the sixth when the Nationals jumped to a seemingly unsurmountable lead when Soriano hit his 41st home-run of the year, giving the Nationals a 1-0 lead. Traber kept the Marlins from responding in the bottom of the sixth, and all was going well, until . . .

With two outs in the bottom of the sixth, the Marlins loaded the bases. Traber got Ramirez to ground out to lead off the inning, and struck-out Uggla for the second out. Then Traber stopped being able to pitch. He walked Cabrera and Willingham and then hit Helms to load the bases. Then Traber got Ross to foul out. So, struggling, Traber got out of the sixth inning successfully, but was not so fortunate in the seventh inning.

Olivio grounded out to start the inning, but trouble started immediately thereafter when Traber put Hermida on base by hitting him (Traber would hit two batters in the game, the other team hit none). Traber was able to get another out, but only by getting Abercrombie (PH for pitcher Sanchez) to sacrifice himself, moving Hermida to second. Two out, Hermida at second, sixth inning was more scary at this point, no? Ramirez then up. He hits a triple and Hermida, with no bases available for him to stand on, heads home and is safe across the plate. 2 out man at third base, tie-game. Uggla singles, Ramirez scores, Marlins ahead by a run. Robinson pulls Traber and Rauch takes over. Cabrera singles, Uggla scores and Cabrera to second on error by Soriano. Marlins up 3-1. They win 3-1.

box score
Washington Times recap

Left-hander Billy Traber gave the Washington Nationals quality pitching, but it was not good enough to compensate for inferior hitting.

Washington Post recap

It's as if they're playing basketball, and they go to the free throw line, where they haven't made a shot in a month. Or perhaps they're golfers with the yips, unable to stride confidently to three-foot putts and knock them solidly into the back of the cup. For the Washington Nationals, the free throws clank off the back of the rim, the gimme putts lip out, and there's almost no chance they'll get a key hit with runners in scoring position.

Tonight:
Reliver Jason Bergmann against RHP Josh Johnson (11-6, 2.84).
Unlike Bergmann’s last start, where he faced a fellow starting reliever, this time Bergmann faces a starting pitcher, one who has an era of 2.84 and has won 11 games. Johnson currently has an era of 5.06 in August and pitched only 1 quality start in 3 August starts (5 runs given up in 3 innings on August 5th, 4 runs given up in 6 innings in his last start on August 16, and 0 runs given up in 7 innings pitched on August 11th).

Nationals lose on Sunday 12-10 because of Damian Jackson; Brown - Stop the Construction!

2006-08-21T08:35:00.000-05:00

Astacio, like Ortiz on Saturday, barely made it into the second inning. Unlike Ortiz, Astacio was able to complete the second inning without getting himself ejected from the game. Astacio pitched two innings, giving up 6 ER (7 total) off of 6 hits (1 HR), and 4 walks (strike-outs: 0; Astacio picked up his third loss of the year). Schroder replaced Astacio and pitched the third and 2 outs of the fourth. He gave up 3 runs off of 3 hits (1 HR) and 1 walk. Schroder’s ERA is now 7.04. Hughes pitched the rest of the fourth and the fifth, and finally a Nationals pitcher was able to keep runners from scoring. Hughes gave up zero hits and zero walks, and struck-out none. Rivera gave up run (off of 2 hits and 2 walks) in the seventh inning having relieved Hughes. Rivera pitched the 7th and got 2 outs in the 8th. Rauch finished the 8th (1 out), and Cordero pitched the ninth. Cordero gave up 1 unearned run and gave up one 1 hit. Cordero was the only Nationals pitcher to record a strike-out.

Offensively: Soriano went 0 for 4, Lopez went 2 for 4 (1 double - his 20th; and was CS once), Zimmerman went 0 for 3 and left 6 runners on base, Johnson . . . See the box score.

Highlights: Harper hit his first two major league home-runs, drove in 4 runs and now is hitting .400. Schneider pinch hit for him in the 7th and would end up going 2 for 2 with 2 RBI. Astacio went 1 for 1 at the plate, and Hughes also went 1 for 1 at the plate. Hughes is now hitting 1.000.

Those ERRORS: Johnson had a throwing error (his tenth error), Soriano also had a throwing error (9th), and for some reason Jackson continues to somehow sneak into games - this time he committed his 8th, 9th, and 10th errors (throwing, fielding, and missed catch).

Injuries, or why did Robinson send pinch-hitters in to hit for Zimmerman, Escobar, and Harper? Zimmerman had gone 0 for 3 and had left 6 runners on base when he left the game, but he hadn’t committed any errors, and he wasn’t immediately replaced at the plate but in the field. Jackson trotted out to play third base for the bottom of the 5th inning, after Zimmerman lined out in the top of the fifth inning. Was/is Zimmerman hurt? Nope, Robinson wanted to give Zimmerman a breather:

replacing Ryan Zimmerman in the bottom of the fifth with the Nationals down, 10-2. Manager Frank Robinson wanted to give Zimmerman a breather.

The number one reason that the Nationals lost the game? Robinson. The score was 10-2 when Zimmerman came out of the game, but before Robinson could fix his mistake (in putting Jackson into the game), Jackson would commit 3 errors and cost the Nationals the game. The Nationals would end up getting the score as close as 11-10, one of Jackson’s three errors allowed the 8th inning to build up in opportunity for the Phillies (0 outs when error occurred), and by the time the inning was over, the Phillies would add one more run to their total. That extra run cost the game. The top of the order was up, but they saw that the team was down by two runs, and they couldn’t find the energy within them to make up 2 runs, 1 run maybe, but not 2 runs.

- Jackson

Oh, and for Escobar and Harper, I can not find any information as to why they were pulled.

AP recap
Washington Post Recap - "What if Ryan Zimmerman had stayed in the game?" - Game too fast for him, admits Jackson:

"The game is just a little fast for me right now," said Damian Jackson.

Harper's Great game - as mentioned by Washington Post writer Barry Svrluga

Before Sunday, Brandon Harper had played in exactly three major league games, had been to the plate precisely eight times -- all after spending eight seasons in the minors, and another injured, since being drafted out of Dallas Baptist University in 1997.

Oh, so that's why Harper was pulled after hitting two-homers - he is a right-handed batter, and a right-handed reliever had entered the game.

Schneider, who singled when he hit for Harper in the seventh and later added a two-run single, heard Harper talking and joked, "You'll remember getting pinch-hit for more." Schneider, a left-handed hitter, came on to face right-hander Ryan Madson.

Washington Times recap

To Washington Nationals manager Frank Robinson, it wasn't the season-high five errors that prevented his club from erasing a nine-run deficit yesterday. The difference was a couple of calls.

Not his calls, like the call to replace Zimmerman with Jackson, but the Umps "bad" calls ("Robinson said two rulings turned the game in the favor of the Phillies").

President's Race
All about "First president for a day" - The day (Thursday) that Zuckerman was George Washington.
- President's - not Thursday but July 25th.
Todd Jacobson of Fredericksburg.com - "Mascot infamy" - Jacobson also ran in the President's race.
"A rough ride for Teddy Roosevelt in this presidential race" - By HOWARD FENDRICH, AP Sports Writer and his day at the races.
Picture
Picture shows Howard Fendrich as Teddy Roosevelt, an intern (Ryan Thomas) as Thomas Jefferson, and Mark Zuckerman of the Washington Times as George Washington.

Politics:
If elected Washington DC Mayor, Michael A. Brown promises to stop construction on the new baseball stadium and instead:

refurbish RFK Stadium for the team.
"The city is going to build a stadium for the team or refurbish, from my standpoint. ... I think the city should've selected the location. I don't think [Major League Baseball] should've forced us as to where," Mr. Brown said during an interview with editors and reporters at The Washington Times.
"When this deal is done, it's going to be $1 billion. What I'd like to do is reprogram some of those dollars to other things here in the District of Columbia and at the same time refurbish RFK."

- from the Washington Times article.

Tonight:
Three game series with Marlins in Florida, begins tonight at 7:05pm (see 5 Q's asked by a Nationals blogger (CurlyW), and answered by a Marlins blogger, and 5 Q's asked by a Marlins blogger (Fish Stripes) and answered by CurlyW). Billy Traber tries for his 4th win of the year, and the team hopes that this time their starting pitcher will make it past the second inning, unlike their last 2 games.
LHP Billy Traber (3-1, 5.49) vs. RHP Anibal Sanchez (4-2, 3.70)

Tuesday:
RHP Jason Bergmann (0-1, 7.31) vs. RHP Josh Johnson (11-6, 2.84)

Wednesday:
RHP Tony Armas (8-8, 4.73) vs. LHP Scott Olsen (9-7, 4.49)

Thursday:
Off-day

DC United Ties Colorado Rapids

2006-08-19T17:39:00.000-05:00

Today's game (match?) is the first complete MLS game that I've watched (saw about ten minutes of a previous DC United game). Both NFL Football and MLB Baseball can end in a tie, but an MLB Baseball game ending in a tie is so rare that I'm not sure that it actually can happen, and while NFL games are much more likely to end in a tie than a MLB game, they're still rare enough to create much talk when they occur.

Glad United didn't lose, but . . . they tied. How am I supposed to respond to a tie? A vague feeling of happiness, mixed with sadness? We are talking about a first place team with just 2 losses playing a 9-8 team, and United did not pick up a win in their last three matches, so how exactly can I be happy with a tie? Only in thinking "at least they didn't lose." On the other hand, the game announcers mentioned that last years champs lost 13 regular season games (32 regular season games, ended up with a record of 19-13? nope, can't tell because of the fact ties exist, could have been 0-13-19, except I doubt a team that never won a game in regular play would win the Championship).

Interesting game to watch and I believe I see one reason beyond the low scoring reason, for why Soccer has so much trouble advancing further into USA culture. That reason is the game itself - the 45 minutes of game, 15 minutes of break then another 45 minutes of game. I saw this in the rules before I watched the game on TV, but I didn't really think about it until I saw the game. That's 45 straight minutes of game. No TV breaks, no breaks except for the half-time break. If the broadcasters go to commercial, the game does not stop, the game continues. Broadcasters don't take a break, game continues. What does the audience do? Never move, that's what. At least never leave the vicinity of the TV screen. I now know why in some movies from "soccer" countries there is a big point of having a TV in the restrooms.

Soccer, being soccer, ends up with a lot of low scoring games, if you get up for any reason, you will likely miss something important. Stay and watch people kicking the ball around. Get up and miss goals.

I was fortunate. I put off eating supper or doing anything else (like getting a drink of some kind) until after the game was over (of course I did get up at half-time). Therefore I saw the two goals.

All other major sports (with two+ exceptions), Baseball (inning breaks/side changes/pitching changes), Football (the NFL kind, quarters), Hockey (do they call them periods?), Basketball -> all have built in time for broadcasters to show commercials. Soccer doesn't. The two+ exceptions? Auto-racing and golf. Both involve more than two competitors, and both can somewhat get away with taking a commercial while action continues to happen (The + is for Horse-racing - the only major events in Horse-racing, these days, are the big events - the Kentucky Derby races and the like, events that go by so quickly that there's plenty of commercial time - the pre-race talking, broken up with commercials, and the post race talking, broken up with commercials, the race itself is over before you know it).

Right, sorry, just my thoughts after watching a Soccer game/match/whatever. Not sure why I included these thoughts in a baseball blog, other than I have no where else to express these thoughts.

Nationals defeat Phillies 6-4 in Game 1 of the 4 game series

2006-08-19T08:48:00.000-05:00

The Nationals jumped to an early lead off of a Soriano lead-off home-run, single by Lopez, and then a two run home-run by Zimmerman. Armas kept the Phillies off the board until the 6th, and meanwhile the Nationals added to their run total with two more runs in the second, and one more in the fourth. Entering the bottom of the sixth inning, the Nationals lead 6-0. That would be the extent of the Nationals scoring, and the start of the Phillies scoring. The Nationals needed three innings to put up 6 runs, and the Phillies ran out of innings. They scored 4 runs in two different innings, but were not able to tie the game.

Highlights: Armas picked up 8th win, now 8-8, but gives up 3 runs and pitches only 5.1 innings (giving up 6 hits, 2 walks and striking out 2 in 88 pitches). Soriano went 4 for six with his 39th home-run (which the radio mentioned match's Soriano's career high), 79 RBI, and 30th stolen base (and was caught stealing for the 13th time). Soriano is once again a 30-30 player (for fourth time). Lopez went 2 for 4 and scored 3 times (plus 19th double). Zimmerman went 3 for 5 and knocked in 5 RBI off of his 38th double and 17th home-run. Johnson went 2 for 4 and stole his 10th base. Vidro rejoined the team and went 2 for 5. Church and Escobar both started (Kearns sat) and all three went hitless (Kearns in a PH for Church). Schneider faced 5 straight balls before his first strike and walked three times (went 1 for 2; did not score). Cordero picked up 23rd save.

box score

Washington times recap

Alfonso Soriano put on a clinic and reached two milestones last night against the Philadelphia Phillies.
Rookie Ryan Zimmerman offered a strong supporting role and the Nationals beat the Phillies 6-4 in front of 30,123 at Citizens Bank Park.

- Soriano joins Vladimir Guerrero as only 30-30 man for Expos/Nationals franchise. Needs just 1 more home-run and 10 more stolen bases to reach "exclusive 40/40 club" that includes "Jose Canseco, Barry Bonds and Alex Rodriguez."

AP recap

"It is good, but I'm working hard to get better in the field and to make my team better," Soriano said. "So whatever number that I put (up) this year, maybe I want to enjoy after the season, but not now. It is more important for me to win and make the team better."

Washington Post recap.

Ryan Zimmerman was in the dugout preparing for his first at-bat Friday night when Alfonso Soriano blasted a gargantuan home run on to the concourse in center field at Citizens Bank Park. "He's an amazing player," Zimmerman said hours later.

Soriano had barely settled back into the dugout himself when Zimmerman laid into a fastball from Philadelphia's Brett Myers, a two-run shot to left, and the Washington Nationals were rolling. "He's unbelievable," Soriano said.

Article about off-season/roster. - Nationals have some flexibility/choice in the Soriano part of their off-season action, but "[a]t second base and shortstop, though, the Nationals have what could be two anchors weighing down their goal of payroll flexibility." Expensive Vidro "coming back from injury" at 2B, and "not-so-feared shortstop, Cristian Guzman." Vidro was praised for his committment to the franchise when he signed the 4 year deal for $30 million, but is now seen as a liability.

$23 million in salary locked up in players who no one would really like to see out there next year. Add in newly acquired shortstop Felipe Lopez, who appears to be a flawed player but a better option than either Guzman at short or Vidro at second, and you have a problem that is harder to fix than the uncertainty over Soriano.

- what to do? Read that article.

Today: 4:00 pm in Washington DC, RFK stadium:
The first place DC United squad (13-2-7) host the last place Colorado Rapids (9-8-4). The game takes place at RFK stadium and will be televised on ESPN2.

The United enter the contest in a slump. They are the league leaders in goals and assists, and have three of the top 8 scorers, b ut enter today's contest in a three match slump - having scored just two goals in those three matchs and having "to settle for a pair of ties and a loss."

Read more about it in the Washington Post article.

Tonight: 7:05pm in Philly
RhP Ramon Ortiz (9-10, 4.88) vs. LHP Cole Hamels (5-6, 4.50)

Please bear with me as I adjust to something called “Soccer”

2006-08-18T16:30:00.000-05:00

This here entry might be the only one I make, ever, about soccer, or the next week(s) might fill up with talk about soccer. The reason? I’ve decided to see, in person, that other pro-sports team that plays at RFK. I’ve seen the Nationals (MLB), and I’ve seen the Redskins (NFL) at RFK (and I’ve seen the Washington Capitals and the Washington Bullets/Wizards (saw under both names), but did not see the CFL Washington team, nor have I seen any of the other local pro-sports teams (past or present)). On Saturday August 26th, I’ll attend the 7:30 pm showing of the first place DC United (MLS) team compete against the last place Los Angeles Galaxy of the Western Standings (wait, that Standings part might not be part of the division’s name).

At home (RFK): DC United has a record, so far, of 8-0-2 with 20 goals for and 7 goals against. Away: Los Angeles Galaxy has a record, so far, of 4-6-2 with 11 goals for and 15 goals against. Current standings.

Let’s see, DC United has 26 players on its roster (apparently, according to the MLS website, teams are supposed to have 28 players, 18 on the Senior Roster, 10 on the Development Roster, and all 28 eligible to be part of the Gameday Squad; DC United is missing 2 players). I recognize #9 Freddy Adu from local radio announcers talking about him and his age, but I do not recognize anyone else on the team. Adu is currently 17, and has played two seasons in the MLS. He has played 22 games (20 started) so far this year and has 1 goal and 6 assists. The stats on his page almost mean nothing to me. I assume: GP - games played, GS - games started, MIN - minutes (1,750), G - goal, A - Assists, SHT - ? Shots? (41), SOG - Shots on goal? (21), FC - well in football that would be fair catch, but here?, FS - free safety, here?, C - catcher, here? (Oh, I see in the “Laws” thing mentioned below, Cautions - does the C in the stats stand for cautions?), EJ - ejected?. Adu is listed as playing the M position.

Also on the team are: Forwards: #99 Jaime Moreno, #11 Alecko Eskandarian, and #20 Matt Nickell. Moreno has 10 goals and 5 assists and has started and played in every game (22; 1930 mins.). Moreno is from Bolivia, and has played in 239 games, and started 231. Eskandarian has 7 goals and 2 assists, and has started in 13 games and played in 17. Eskandarian is from New Jersey, and has played in 76 games, and started 44. Nickell has 0 goals and 0 assists, and has played 6 minutes in 2 games. Nickell is from Iowa, and has played in 6 games.

Those listed as playing M-F number 2 on the team: #6 Domenic Mediate and #23 Jamil Walker.

Those listed as playing M-D number 1 on the team: #24 Jeff Carroll.

Those playing the M position: Adu, #16 Brian Carroll, #15 Rod Dyachenko, #10 Christian Gomez, #22 Devon McTavish, #8 Justin Moose, #14 Ben Olsen, #19 Clyde Simms.

D players (defensive?): #32 Bobby Boswell, #5 Facundo Erpen, #4 Brandon Prideaux, #12 John Wilson.

Goalkeeper - #1 Troy Perkins. 81 saves.

DC United - 1996, 1997, 1999, 2004 MLS Cup Champs, 1996 US Open Champs, 1998 CONCACAF Champs, 1998 Interamerican Cup Champs,

Looking for information, I head to MLSnet.com. Notes: League is in its 11th season. 80 million soccer fans in USA. 32 regular season games, playoffs in mid-Oct. and MLS Cup is Nov. 12. Los Angeles Galaxy play in The Home Depot Center. New team in 2007 - Toronto FC.

Interesting, accidently downloaded the “Laws of the Game” .pdf file. Apparently “fields” can be anywhere between 100-130 yards long and 50-100 yards wide. Goal area has an 8ft height and 8 yard width. 2 equal periods of 45 minutes each. 15 minute half-time.

Start: coin toss to decide which goal to attack. Kick-off like Face-off in Hockey. At kick-off - initial “kicker” cannot kick ball again until another player has “touched” the ball. The winning team is the team that scores the most goals, if no team scores the most goals, then the game is a tie (I suppose they need something like that in the “official laws”).

Interesting - must memorize Referee Signals section so that I’ll know what is going on. Starts page 58. Gee, read whole 84 page guide and still don’t know how to read the statistics pages.

Salaries.

Ran out of time, will examine the other players and rest of this league later.

Finally, something to write about: Bowie on DL, Vidro activated joins major league team

2006-08-18T13:09:00.000-05:00

Only LHP in the bullpen joins the long deep crowd "lounging" around the DL. Micah Bowie was brought up the the majors on July 6th, pitched in 15 games, and then pitched one last time on August 9th. He has a "left latissimus dorsi strain."

Jose Vidro readded to active roster. Marlon Anderson, I assume, is now sad.
- Jose Vidro

- Marlon Anderson looking sad.

Tonight
As previously mentioned, the pitchers tonight are: RHP Tony Armas (7-8, 4.72) vs. RHP Brett Myers (8-5, 4.12)

Armas hasn't won a game since July 23 and is looking to snap a personal three-game losing streak.

- from Nationals PROBABLE PITCHERS page.

Myers currently has an ERA of 8.10 in Auguts, but has picked up 2 wins in the three games started in August.

The Braves relief pitcher (Villarreal) is better than the Nationals Relief Pitcher (Bergmann)

2006-08-17T14:39:00.000-05:00

The Nationals and the Braves put up two relief pitchers as starters today, and the Braves came out ahead in the relief pitcher as starters duel. Villarreal lasted 1 inning less than Bergmann, but gave up just 1 hit and 1 walk while striking out 4 and allowing no runners to score (all on 65 pitches). Our relief pitcher as a starter, Bergmann, actually lasted a relatively respectable 6 innings, but ended up giving up 4 runs, most of which scored in the 5th inning. Meaning that our relief pitcher did well for longer than most relief pitchers pitch in relief (can I somehow throw in more uses of the word relief?), in that he pitched 4 solid innings and gave up just 1 run in those 4 innings. Unfortunately, Bergmann gave up three runs in the top of the fifth to give the Braves a 4-0 lead. The Braves would tack on one more run in the top of the 7th off of reliever Schroder (whose ERA is now 6.75, and the reliever that hit a batter) and win the game 5-0. The Nationals score zero runs off of 4 hits and left 8 runners on base.

The proclamation that announced that Escobar was the starting center-fielder from here until the end of the season was lying, as Church started today in CF. Church went 1 for 2 with the team’s only walk and only double, and left 1 runner on base. Lopez, Kearns, and Escobar (PH) picked up the other three Nationals hits.

The wind was 7 mph out to RF and the temp was 81 degrees F. It was also sunny.

All of the above was gathered by watching the game-day as the game unfolded, and therefore I have nothing that I can link to at this time.

Oh, but there is something that I can link to: Ladson plays with fire by announcing that Johnson has avoided the injury bug all season:

The 2006 season marks the first time since 1999 that Nationals first baseman Nick Johnson hasn't been placed on the disabled list

- what’s Ladson trying to do? Get Johnson hurt?

No news yet on the Soriano/Armas/Astacio on waivers deal.

Braves even series, win two, Nationals win two. Now off to Philly. I will not announce the probable pitchers, just so I can have at least a one-liner for tomorrow's blog (Armas vs. Myers - ok, now I have nothing to write about tomorrow).

Nationals win 9-6, Traber picks up 3rd win of 2006

2006-08-17T08:52:00.000-05:00

Zimmerman in the 8th of May 26th game
Originally uploaded by MichaelBriggs.

Wednesday:
Zimmerman committed his tenth error of 2006 that started a rally, then made a great catch to end that rally. He also hit his 16th home-run (drove in himself and 1 runner), drove in 3 runs and left 1 runner on base and struck out once. Interesting game for Zimmerman, I’ll call him the player of the game. Can’t call Traber the player of the game. Traber went just 5.2 innings (81 pitches), giving up 5 runs (4 earned) off of 6 hits, 1 walk and also struck out 3 batters (52 of his pitches were strikes). Rivera continued to do well in relief, Rauch gave up a run in his 1 inning of relief and Cordero picked up his 22nd save.

The game: The Nationals jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the 2nd inning, that they kept until the 4th inning. The Braves scored three runs in the top of the 4th to come within 1 run of tying the game, but the Nationals immediately responded with two runs in the bottom of the 4th to pull to 6-3. The Braves get 2 more runs in the 6th to pull within 1 and this time the Nationals didn’t respond until the seventh. Good think Rivera was in there in the 7th to keep the Braves from tacking on any more runs. The Braves make things slightly more interesting by scoring 1 more run in the 8th, but in the end, the Nationals win 9-6.

Soriano went 1 for 5 with 1 RBI, Lopez went 2 for 4 with 1 walk and scored 2 runs (1 SB), Zimmerman went 2 for 5 with 3 RBI (and HR), Johnson went 1 for 2 with 3 walks and 1 RBI, Kearns continues slumping going 0-5 and leaving 7 runners on base, Escobar starts against a RHP and goes 1 for 3 (Anderson will walk for Rivera, who moved into Escobar’s slot in the sixth), Schneider shows that he actually can hit the ball with 2 hits in 4 at-bats including a 3 run home-run , Castro improves his average to .300 with 2 hits in 4 chances, Traber walks and screws up on the base paths, Church takes over for Escobar in the field (hitting in Traber’s spot) and goes 1 for 2.

Castro: read the Nats notes on The Beltway Boys most recent blog entry.

I've never quite figured out what Bernie Castro has to do to win a full time job in the major leagues.

Traber: the running error - Traber on second, Soriano on first, Lopez at the plate. Lopez hits what should be a double, Soriano runs to second, stops. Why did he stop? Because Traber was just standing there looking blank. He would eventually run to third base, Lopez, apparently not paying any attention, like normal, runs to second, and Soriano stands between second and third looking for some base that he can stand on. Soriano, without a base to stand on, is out. Traber and Soriano should have scored, Lopez should have been on second if not for Traber’s running, or lack of running. Bases should have been loaded if not for Lopez’s lack of attention to the runners a head of him. Sure, he hits a double, runs hard to second, but he still should have looked around to see if second is open. For all he knew, Traber tripped and was lying on the ground, blocking Soriano’s path to second/third . . . etc (instead, of course, Traber just wasn’t moving).
Traber’s quote in the Washington Post recap: “I just went blank, I’m not very used to being on base.”

When Traber came back to the dugout, Robinson asked him if he knew the ball was a base hit. Traber, according to Robinson, said, "I haven't been out to second base for a long time." Robinson laughed.
"What are you going to do?" Robinson said.

Soriano on waivers: Soriano surprised by waiver

"I don't know what to think," Soriano said. "It happened to me in Texas, too. But I'm surprised [the Nationals] put me on waivers. But as I always said, it's as if it's part of the game. If they didn't trade me before the trade deadline, why are they going to put me on waivers now?"

Times article on Soriano on waivers.

Although Alfonso Soriano reportedly was placed on waivers Tuesday, the possibility of the Washington Nationals parting ways with their star left fielder this season appear slim. Once the trade deadline passes, it's a fairly common practice among clubs to place high-profile players on waivers to gauge interest.

- no mention of Soriano’s surprise.

Minor leagues:

The Nationals have now signed seven of their top eight picks from the 2006 First-Year Player Draft. "Looking back at the draft this year, it's turned out to be a real successful endeavor for us," assistant general manager Mike Rizzo said. "We filled a lot of needs we wanted to. We feel we got some depth into the system that we felt we needed. We checked off all the boxes that we are trying to check off."

- quote from same article as mentions Soriano’s surprise above.

Escobar: Despite injury, Escobar will be the everyday CF from here-on out, according to the same article linked above about Soriano’s surprise.

Washington Times recap.

For all the heat Brian Schneider has come under in recent days, it should be noted that the Washington Nationals' beleaguered catcher is in the midst of his hottest stretch at the plate all season.

Nationals.com box score

Today at 1:05
Braves series comes down to this game, will the Nationals defeat the Braves and win the series, or will Braves save themselves and pick up the win today and the tie for the series.
RHP Oscar Villarreal (8-1, 4.48) vs. RHP Jason Bergmann (0-0, 7.62)
- Bergmann’s first pitch on July 3rd.
Not mentioned above are in the articles is that Astacio and Armas were earlier reported to have been placed on waivers at the same time Soriano was. If Astacio and Armas leave, how will the Nationals put out to start? Maybe more relief pitchers like Bergmann. Bergmann makes his third start in the majors and second in 2006. Bergmann started once in 2005. On August 12, 2006, Bergmann started and went 5.0 innings, giving up 3 ER off of 4 hits and 2 walks (while striking out 4) and posting a 5.40 ERA for the game (which actually lowered his ERA from 8.14 to 7.62). Bergmann threw 91 pitches, 60 for strikes.
Villarreal is also a relief pitcher, but unlike Bergmann, this is Villarreal’s first start this season. Villarreal has appeared in relief in 47 games this season (60.1 innings pitched) and acquiring a record of 8-1 with an ERA of 4.48. He has 36 strike-outs to 21 walks in those 60.1 IP. So far this season, Villarreal’s longest outing occurred on June 23rd, when he pitched 4.1 innings giving up 2 hits and 1 walk while striking out 2 (50 pitches). Villarreal started 1 game in 2003 for the Diamondbacks. He went 10-7 with an ERA of 2.57 that year, but I can’t seem to locate the game he started.

On the Road again
After today’s day game, the Nationals head on the road again, stopping first in Philly for three games before heading to Florida to face the Marlins. At the moment, Armas is scheduled for Friday against Brett Myers (8-5, 4.12), Ortiz is scheduled to pitch against LHP Cole Hamels (5-6, 4.50), and Astacio is scheduled to finish the series on Sunday against LHP Randy Wolf (1-0, 4.35).

Nationals win 5-0 off of an almost perfect game pitched by Pedro Astacio

2006-08-16T08:41:00.000-05:00

Attempting to fool the batter, Astacio throws two balls
Originally uploaded by MichaelBriggs.

Wednesday
The Nationals provided their starting pitcher with both outstanding fielding (in that they didn’t commit any errors), and effective batting (in that they scored 5 runs), and their starting pitcher, Pedro Astacio, rewarded his team’s defensive and offensive efforts with a 9 inning complete game 2 hit shut-out. Astacio pitched 87 perfect pitches (in that no walks, hits, HBP, were given up on those pitches), and had just two pitches that were “bad.” Those two pitches were: 1) the hit by LaRoche, and 2) the hit by Francoeur. Think about it. Astacio was two pitches from pitching a perfect game.

Offensively: Soriano went 2 for 4 with 1 run, Lopez got a hit in four at bats and left 2 runners on base, Zimmerman struck out three times in 4 at-bats and left 2 runners on base, Johnson drew 2 walks scored twice and went hitless, Kearns went 1 for 4 (his 28th double) and drove in 2 runs while also striking out once, Escobar went 1 for 3 with 1 run scored 1 RBI and 1 LOB (and 1 SF), Schneider went 1 for 3 with 1 walk and 1 LOB, Castro went 1 for 4 (another bunt hit that drove in a run (2 out 1 RBI)) and LOB 2, and even Astacio got1 hit in his 3 times at-bat - though he did leave 2 runners on base.

Astacio is now 3 and 2 with an ERA down to 4.64.

Nationals.com box score.

Washington Times recap

He's the wily veteran of the Washington Nationals pitching staff, a 36-year-old right-hander whose better days are clearly behind him but who still has a gem in him every once in a while.

Washington Post recap

They saw a visiting lineup that had pounded their pitching staff for 14 hits, 10 runs and 4 homers an evening earlier. And they checked on the probable starter and saw 36-year-old journeyman Pedro Astacio, whose 16 career losses to the Braves ranked him among the dozen worst all-time against the Atlanta franchise.

Minor league news
Six of first eight selections from 2006 draft have agreed to terms

Tonight:
RHP John Smoltz (10-5, 3.41) vs. LHP Billy Traber (2-1, 5.14)

While Astacio pitched his first complete game yesterday, Smoltz pitched his third in his last start on Friday.

This will be Traber’s first start against the Braves. He went 7 plus 1 batter in his last start and picked up a win.

Bowden's article in the Examiner
"Nats prospecting for gold this offseason"
In an effort to expand the payroll budget, Bowden plans on spending some part of the offseason prospecting for gold in the Rocky Mountains. Other GM's are dubious of Bowden's plan and believe that he has finally . . . . Oops, that is not what Bowden's article is about.

As we enter the middle of August, offseason planning is in full swing. Our baseball operations staff has begun to make offseason plans for all major league and minor league players. The offseason is not a time to sit around for five months. Players need to get into shape, make personal improvements and become better ballplayers. . . . This offseason will see the return of Major League Baseball’s relationship with the Hawaiian Winter Baseball League. . . . Among the players we plan on sending: shortstop Ian Desmond and pitcher Marco Estrada.

I don't actually see anything about prospecting for gold. How odd. Just talk about winter ball.

New header/banner

2006-08-15T13:50:00.000-05:00

I created a new header/title/banner for the blog and it has been up for a little while. For some reason I can't get it to line-up correctly. I'm glad that the title of my blog is in the address bar, because you won't be able to tell from the new banner.

"Nationa"[ls] from a uniform + a picture of a baseball + blood-red lettering, as if my blog were a horror movie ("oh no, it's written in blood!" "The wall! It's bleeding! . . . For some reason it's bleeding FAN, the word isn't too scary, but still, giant drops of blood are falling down and coating my head")* FAN = nothing really, because: 1) Hard too see; 2) more prominent titles are "Go Nats!" and "No Parking On Either Side of the Roadway <->"; 3) if visible, looks more like Nationa [picture of baseball] FAN. Maybe I should just rename my blog "No Parking" . . .

Oh, and the sidebar (which takes about an hour to load now . . .) includes a new style to listing the blogs:

- the blogs whose titles/banners I can "copy" and make into buttons (still need to fix size of Banks and Ball-Wonk).

That's all - I have nothing, at this time, to say about the Nationals.

* - sorry about all the talk about blood - nothing bad intended, it's just that I was examining the blog and noticed that FAN looked like it might have been written in/with blood, which briefly created a startled laugh. My blog is vicious.

Nationals lose, again; Game tonight

2006-08-15T09:08:00.000-05:00

Braves series:
Nationals lose 4-10 to the Braves in the first of the 4 game series. The Braves are in third place, 16 games behind the Mets and 4.5 games ahead of the last place Nationals. The Nationals lost their previous series against the first place Mets, but did pick up 1 win in the three game series. Hopefully that means that the Nationals will at least pick up two wins against the Braves (it doesn’t work that way).

As mentioned, the Braves won on Monday by a score of 10 to 4; the less said, the better right?

Ortiz (recall when he was called the ace of the team?) picked up his 10th loss of the season after pitching just 4.2 innings and giving up 7 runs off of 9 hits, 3 walks, 2 home-runs and just 4 strike-outs. Wagner relieved Ortiz and finished the fifth inning and pitched the sixth. Wagner let 1 runner score in 1.1 inning of work, lowering his ERA to 12.00. Travis Hughes pitched the 7th and 8th, and gave up 2 runs off of 3 hits (1 home-run; the pitchers, together, gave up 4 home-runs). Rick Schroder had nothing to do with the game, but Chris Schroder pitched the ninth inning. Schroder (Chris) gave up 1 hit in that 1 inning of work - lowering his ERA to 6.00. Monday’s game was Chris Schroder’s 3rd game in the majors. He pitched on August 8th: 1 inning, 1 strike-out (7 pitches, 5 strikes), on August 12th: 1 inning, 2 runs off of 2 hits - 1 strike-out (22 pitches, 17 strikes), and yesterday (11 pitches, 9 strikes).

Offensive highlights: Soriano went 2 for 4, scoring twice, walking once, and knocking in 1 run. and hit a double (30th) and a single. Sorinao also picked up his 29th stolen base of the year. Just one more for that magical 30-30. Castro went 2 for 4 (he is now 3 for 12 as a National, and 26 for 92 in the majors). I’ll give the player of the game trophy (or award, or whatever) to Church for his 9th inning pinch-hit 2-out home-run with the game winding up and the score 10-3. The announced attendance was 21,550, and most of those ticket holders were probably in their cars when that home-run was hit.

Anyone with pictures, and/or for other reasons want to include the name of the umps when referring to this game: behind the plate: Tony Randazzo. 1B: Jim Wolf. 2B: Joe West. 3B: Ed Rapuano.

And for those keeping track of this stat, the Nationals left 10 runners on base.

Series continues tonight at 7:05 pm with 2-3, 6.12 Cormier pitching for the Braves against 2-2, 5.56 Pedro Astacio pitching for the Nationals.

Washington Post recap for Monday’s game:

Jones smashed home runs in three consecutive at-bats, Diaz collected hits in his first four at-bats to tie a National League record and by the time the Braves' 10-4 demolition of the Nationals was complete, Ortiz's deficient effort had been long forgotten by the thinning crowd of 21,550.

.

Washington Times recap for Monday’s game.

Diaz entered the game with six straight hits, so he was already on a roll by the time he walked into the ballpark. By the time he walked out, he had etched his name into the record books, thanks in large part to a Nationals pitching staff that kept deciding to pitch around Adam LaRoche to get to him.

Presidents’ Race
See pictures "From the inside".

A look at the headlines:
Pedro Martinez viciously injuries baby cow: “Mets Ace Pedro Martinez Injures Calf”. Oops, sorry, the article is actually about:

The New York Mets ace tweaked his calf during warmups, got roughed up for six runs and left his terrible outing against Philadelphia after getting only three outs.

- The article title confused me.

This day in History: “Phil Wood: Still a fab moment at RFK Stadium”: Beatles played RFK 40 years ago August 15th. Tickets were in the 3-5 dollar range, but the band attracted only 32,164 fans at RFK (called DC stadium at the time).

The idea of a ballpark rock concert was still unusual; The Beatles had played the first-ever stadium show a year to the day prior to playing D.C. That one was at Shea Stadium in New York, before 55,000-plus fans. They sold tickets behind the band at Shea, which accounted for the huge crowd; a year later they drew 32,164 here, with the outfield seats essentially vacant.

Washington Post - 2 players angry on Sunday: "Nationals Try To Toss Aside Controversy"

Catcher Brian Schneider, who got upset with reporters before storming off after Sunday's 3-1 loss to the Mets . . . The other incident Sunday involved utilityman Damian Jackson, who tossed a chair before the game.

Washington Times - All about the fielding: “New players lead to more errors”

Last season, the Washington Nationals committed the fewest errors in franchise history with 92. The Nationals surpassed that total with 93 after three miscues in Sunday's loss against the New York Mets. Entering last night's game against the Atlanta Braves at RFK Stadium, the Nationals were tied with the Florida Marlins for the worst fielding percentage in the majors at .978.

Nationals win and Lose since my last entry

2006-08-13T09:27:00.000-05:00

Interesting, anyone watch the replays of the game on MASN? As I started to write this blog, I turned on the tv to be background noise and lo and behold there's the game. I believe it was 4-1 when I started, and it is now 4-4. Do you think the Nationals will somehow win this time? Want to make a small bet?

Friday
Right, the games. On Friday Billy Traber pitched a great 7 inning (and 1 8th inning batter), and gave up just 1 earned run off of 4 hits (1 hr) and zero walks (and 2 SO), dropping his ERA to 5.14 from 9.00. Rauch continues to shine in the set-up role (at this point, he is too good of a relief pitcher to now go back to starting, unlike, say, Jason Bergmann), and pitched 1 great inning. Cordero pitched the 9th, and while it had a slight excitment from a walk being given up, as normal, Cordero still picked up his 21st save (the as normal part is about the walk, not the save).

Let's see, highlights from Friday's game: Escobar SB (2nd of year); Kearns CS (4th), error by Lopez (21st), pick-off by Traber; doubles by Schneider (11) and Zimmerman (36); RBI by Schneider 2 (37; who also left 2 runners on base); Traber entered with a batting average of .333 and ended the game with a batting average of .167. Considering that Schneider had the most hits and drove in the two Nationals runs, the case can be made to make him the player of the game; but the Nationals would not have been in position to win off of just 2 runs without the great pitching of Traber.

Last night's game is distracting me, so I'll end my talk of this Friday's game. First, though, I'll provide some links: Nationals.com box score; Met's fan blog - much better use of my photos (which reminds me that I probably should include something more about the Negro Leagues Tribute Night - probably need to turn off the losing game, really distracting).
- Friday's game was between the New York Cubans (Mets) and the Homestead Grays (Nationals).
Former Negro League players turned up:
and 1 of the three women that pitched in the Negro leagues threw out the first cermonial pitch:

Meanwhile, the Nationals played in the Gray's jersey's, and Billy Traber made his third start of the season (first: April 20th, second: April 25th):

Traber got lead-off Reyes out, which is a good thing, because the second batter he faced, Lo Duca hit a home-run:
- that 1 run home-run was the total offense for the Cubans/Mets (at least run scoring).

Glavine pitched for the Cubans/Mets: . Glavine entered the game with a 12-4 record, but picked up his 5th loss of the season after this game. He gave up 2 runs, in 6 innings, off of 7 hits and 1 walk (and he also had 7 strike-outs).

As I mentioned, the Nationals won because of a 2 RBI hit by Schneider, well, here is Escobar - the second to score:

Some more things happened at the game, check out my photo set, and/or MissChatter's photo set on Flickr.com (includes a photo I should have gotten, but didn't think of until much later - thanks for stopping by MissChatter).

Saturday:
I had tickets for Saturday night, but I went to the zoo instead. Don't worry, my ticket was used.
- see the tongue sticking out? - that's the young Panda at the zoo.

I did get back to see the game, so my recap (and even if I hadn't, I've been rewatching the game while I wrote this blog - might have been a closer game if hitting a guy's shirt doesn't put that guy on base, and if the umps hadn't taken away one of Soriano's assists (runner out, called safe).

Nationals lose 6-4 to the Mets, today's game decides the series. Interesting - looked to see when they called up Bergmann, what do I see, Matos dropped from team, Bergmann recalled. That line had previosly only noted Matos unconditional release.

Right, so Bergmann. Bergmann made his second major league start (just looked, didn't realize he had a start in 2005), on Saturday. Bergmann pitched 5 innings, gave up 3 runs off of 4 hits, and 2 walks (while also striking-out 4). Bergmann faced 22 batters and threw 91 pitches (60 strikes).

Mets jumped out to early 3-1 lead by the end of the fourth inning (3 runs for the Mets in the 3rd and 1 run for the Nationals in the 4th), and added another run in the top of the sixth. That sixth inning run by the Mets was off of reliever Travis Hughes. Game over, right? 4-1 going into bottom of the sixth inning. But no - Nationals score 3 runs in the bottom of the sixth to tie the game. Unfortunately, that was all the runs the Nationals were able to pick up in the game, and unfortunately, the Mets were able to add 2 immediate runs in the top of the 7th. 8th and 9th innings basically didn't matter (other than great pitching by Rivera; need to start using him when the game is tied, instead of after game lost), Mets win 6-4.

Highlights: In 7th inning, Soriano threw out a base-runner, but the runner was incorrectly called safe. Game might have gone differently, but almost every team has wrong calls like this in their memory bank. Saturday's crowd: 42,507; Castro picks up his first hit as a National; Jackson again used as a PH, despite not being able to hit; Johnson hit his 18th home-run of the year, Soriano hits his 37th HR of the year. Lopez picks up 31st SB; constant talk on the TV broadcast about Preston Wilson being dropped by his team.

Total of 8 runners LOB in last two games (5 Friday; 3 Saturday).

Box score on Nationals.com.

Sunday: in a couple of hours, Mets series ends:
11-5, 5.03 RHP Steve Traschsel vs. 7-8, 5.04 RHP Tony Armas
A difference of 0.01 runs in the ERA of the pitchers?

Don't feel like doing original research this time, so:

Scouting Report:
His ERA is higher than 5.00. He hasn't completed the seventh inning in 11 starts, or the sixth in six of the 11. But when Trachsel pitches, the Mets usually win -- nine times in those 11 starts, to be exact. From June 9 through Tuesday night when he defeated the Padres at Shea, Trachsel won more games -- nine -- than any pitcher in the big leagues. What else need be said?

Armas hasn't won a game since July 23 and is looking to snap a personal three-games losing streak. In his last start, Armas frustrated manager Frank Robinson by continually falling behind in the count and having to throw 104 pitches -- only 59 of which were for strikes. Armas lasted six innings and gave up four runs -- two earned -- nine hits.

- from Probable pitchers page.

Upcoming
Braves at RFK Monday-Thursday
Monday: LHP Chuck James (4-3, 4.69) vs. RHP Ramon Ortiz (9-9, 4.60)
Tuesday: RHP Lance Cormier (2-3, 6.12) vs. RHP Pedro Astacio (2-2, 5.56)
Wednesday: RHP John Smoltz (10-5, 3.41) vs. LHP Billy Traber (2-1, 5.14)
Thursday: RHP Kevin Barry (0-1, 7.71) vs. RHP Jason Bergmann (0-0, 7.62)

Nationals lose; Unconditionally release OF Luis Matos; Still haven’t promoted a fifth starter to the major league roster

2006-08-11T08:37:00.000-05:00

Nationals Lose:
Astacio came within 2 outs of matching his season long start of 6.2 innings pitched, but that comment is deceptive as he was pinch hit for in the bottom of the sixth and never had the change to get those two outs. Florida jumped out to a 4-2 lead by the 5th inning (Marlins: 2 score in 2nd, 1 in 4th and 1 in fifth; Nationals: 2 score in 5th). Neither team scored in the sixth, and neither starting pitcher acquired a win or lose for their efforts. Score 4-2 at beginning of 7th, how could the starters not matter in the decision?

Florida tacked on two more runs in the top of the 7th to pull into a seemingly easy win (6-2), but the Nationals rallied in the bottom of the 7th to score 4 more runs (which included the wearing of hats by some (mostly ushers) as if they were shark fins - bill sticking up from top of head). End of 7, score tied 6-6. The damage was mostly done by Mitre who ended up throwing 12 straight balls and gave up 2 walks and 3 runs.

Score tied, who does the manager bring in to pitch the critical 8th inning? Ryan Wagner of the above 12 ERA. During the inning Wagner’s ERA will drop to 10.something before jumping up to 13.50. Wagner pitched the complete inning and gave up 2 runs off of 3 hits and 1 walk. Score after Wagner’s work: 8-6. Rivera would pitch the ninth and give up 1 more insurance run to drive the score to 9-6. The Nationals will not be able to come back again and lose 9-6.

Final note: A game of hit batters - Church was hit by Sanchez, Caberera was hit by Hughes, Soriano was hit by Mitre seemingly in retaliation (though Mitre only threw balls when he was on the mound in the 7th) and Ross was hit by Hughes (7th inning).

Luis Matos:
According to the transaction page, Matos was unconditionally released today (8/11/06). No story, just what’s written on the transaction page. My mistake, forgot official press releases: “Nationals unconditionally release outfielder Matos: Right-hander Bergmann expected to be recalled Friday”.

WASHINGTON -- Following Thursday night's game, the Washington Nationals unconditionally released outfielder Luis Matos. The club on Friday is expected to recall right-handed pitcher Jason Bergmann from New Orleans. Nationals Vice President/General Manager Jim Bowden made the announcement.

Matos, who signed with the Nationals as a free agent July 14, appeared in 14 games (one start), and was 3-for-15 (.200) with two doubles and two runs scored. He was 2-for-10 (.200) as a pinch hitter.

Bergmann has gone 8-2 with four saves and a 3.28 ERA in 26 games (four starts) for New Orleans. Each of his last four appearances have been starts, and he is 3-1 with a 3.63 ERA (9 ER/22.1 IP) in those games.

The 24-year-old has no record and an 8.14 ERA in 17 relief appearances over a pair of stints with the Nationals in 2006.

Fifth starter/Saturday’s starter:
Depth chart still only has four starters, and Bergmann is still rumored to be the upcoming fifth starter, and the starter for Saturday’s game (Bergmann still on New Orleans roster). Bergmann is currently 8-2 with an era of 3.28 in 26 games in New Orleans (4 games started over the past month: 3-1 ERA of 3.63 in starts).

Note: The press release above, I now notice, also has Bergmann’s stats.

Tonight:
“Washington Nationals pay tribute to Negro Leagues on Friday, August 11 vs. New York Mets”

In honor of the Negro League legacy, Washington Nationals players will wear replica 1944 Homestead Grays home uniforms; while the New York Mets will wear replica 1944 NY Cubans road uniforms. Negro Leagues alumni Mamie "Peanut" Johnson, Hank Mason, Jose Piloto, and Bert Simmons will be recognized during a pre-game ceremony and will also be available to sign autographs from the 3rd through 5th innings near behind Section 302, outside of the Diamond Club, located on the 300 Level Concourse. (Short bios of alumni attached).

Pitchers: LHP Tom Glavine (12-4, 3.96) vs. LHP Billy Traber (1-1, 9.00)
Despite a 12-4 record Glavine had a high ERA in both June (4.93; still won 3 games in 6 GS) and July (6.00; lost 2 in 6 GS). First start in August, though, was a 7 inning 3.86 ERA effort. Gave up 3 runs off of 5 hits, 2 walks, 1 home-run, and 2 strike-outs. The probable pitchers page notes that Glavine was ill during that game.

Traber makes his third start in 2006 in the majors. Traber’s first two starts weren’t great (total of 7 innings between the two starts, gave up 8 runs). Traber pitched in 33 games in Cleveland in 2003, 18 as a starter. He went 6-9, with an ERA of 5.24. He also had 1 complete game and 1 shutout.

Quick Note: Pitcher Mock currently pitching in first Nationals minor league game

2006-08-10T12:01:00.000-05:00

The game started at noon, and you can access the box score at the Harrisburg Senators website. Unfortunately, the game appears to either have become overcome by rain, or the website itself has frozen, because the game is stuck right before Mock was to through his first pitch in the bottom of the first inning.

Oops, well . . . Apparently the page I was looking at, despite the numerous "reloads" wouldn't tell me what was happening. But the main page shows that Mock has given up 5 runs in the first inning off of 6 hits. No clue if inning over as it is just the box with the runs per inning.

Mock's Nationals debut (minor league) isn't going well.

Oh, and they are playing the Portland Sea Dogs. Dorta lead off and is playing 3B.


Harrisburg  POS  AB  R  H  RBI  AVG
Dorta, M  3B  1  0  0  0  .258
Dement          2B  0  0  0  0  .238
Casto, K  LF  1  0  1  0  .293
Redman          CF  1  0  0  0  .293
Diaz, F  DH  0  0  0  0  .273
Whitesell, J  1B  0  0  0  0  .265
Guerrero  RF  0  0  0  0  .212
Emmerick  C  0  0  0  0  .148
Bynum         SS  0  0  0  0  .235
Mock, G  P  0  0  0  0  .000

If they have DH in AA, then why is Mock on there?

Well, now Harrisburg has put 2 on the board at the top of the second (Harrisburg is "our" (Nationals) team). Score is now 5-2.

Hope Mock is still in the game and pulls himself together.

Nationals defeat Marlins 5-2; Now it's Astacio's turn

2006-08-10T08:28:00.000-05:00

Wednesday:
Both teams end up with 9 hits and 1 error, but Nationals win 5-2. The game started off with the Marlins in the lead, worrying to fans. Amezaga lead off with a single, and moves to second base during wild pitch by Ortiz. Uggla out - strike-out. 1 out, runner on second. Jacobs singles, Amezaga scores from second. 1 out, runner on first, Marlins ahead by 1 run. Two straight outs and top half of the inning over.

- Soriano doubles (July 26th game) to lead off the game.
Bottom half of the first inning. Marlins leading 1-0, will the Nationals lose again? Soriano leads off with a double, but Lopez strikes out. Zimmerman singles, Soriano to third base, and Zimmerman to second off of a wild pitch by Willis. Johnson then walked. Bases loaded, 1 out. Kearns up. Wild pitch - Soriano scores and Zimmerman moves to third. Tie game, 1 out, runners at third and first. Kearns still up - hits into a fielder's choice (Johnson out at second), but Zimmerman scores on the play. Kearns then caught stealing - inning over. Nationals up 2-1. Nationals will lead the rest of the way and win 5-2. Nationals will add another run in the third (sac fly by Escobar allows Zimmerman to score), fifth (Zimmerman scores while Jackson grounds out to pitcher), and 8th innings (Escober gets another RBI off of another sac fly, this time Lopez is the runner that scores), while the Marlins will make it slightly more interesting with a scoring run added to their total in the top of the 7th inning (error by Lopez (fielding Jacobs hit) - Olivo scores).
- Soriano scores during wild pitch (July 21st game).

Ortiz pitches 6.2 very solid innings (as the headline for the Times recap puts it Nats find new 'ace' as Ortiz delivers", giving up just 1 earned run (2 total) off of 8 hits and zero walks while also striking out six. Bowie picks up hold (fifth) for his 0.1 innings of work in the seventh (allowed just 1 walk, ERA now 1.37). Rauch picked up 10th hold for his work in the 8th, and Cordero picked up his 20th save for his work in the ninth inning (1 hit, 2 strike-outs).

Highlights: Escobar's 2 RBI's off of sac flys, Ortiz's 6.2 solid innings of pitching (now 9-9 with an era of 4.60), and Brandon Harper's MLB debut (at least Nationals.com doesn't have any other career stats for him). Harper went 1 for 2 (double first time up, hit by pitch second time up and left 2 runners on base on third time up). Oh, and for some reason they had Jackson and his .207 batting average (that's after going 0 for 3 and leaving 4 runners on base) starting and playing second base.

From that earlier linked Times article:

He's the closest thing the Washington Nationals have to an ace right now. With Livan Hernandez gone and John Patterson on the disabled list, Ramon Ortiz finds himself in the unusual position of being manager Frank Robinson's most accomplished and most trusted starter. . . . "He's not my best pitcher," the manager insisted. "He's my most effective pitcher right now."

- Ortiz, Nationals Ace.

ESPN play by play. Nationals.com box score. Florida's take on the game: "
Awash in wildness, Willis plain woeful":

The Marlins are supposedly battling for a wild-card spot.

Wednesday they lost a game that dropped them within two games of the National League East basement. . . . It was a game as ugly as the RFK Stadium it was played in,

- them's fighting words

Examiner's take on the game: "When it was over, the Nats somehow emerged 5-2 victors in front of a home crowd of 21,390."

Tonight:
RHP Anibal Sanchez (4-2, 4.27) vs. RHP Pedro Astacio (2-2, 5.49)

Rookie Sanchez has faced the Nationals twice in his short (7 GS) major league level career. His first start wasn't pretty - at RFK, on July 6, Sanchez gave up 5 total runs (4 earned) in 105 pitches (5 IP; 58 strikes) off of 6 hits, 5 walks, and 1 strike-out. Sanchez dominated the Nationals in his second appearance against them in Florida on July 19th (aren't pitchers supposed to do great in their first go-around and then get slammed in their second - haven't faced that pitcher before, then they have and know what he is like). Sanchez pitched 7 innings and pitched 1 extra pitch than his last Nationals appearance (106 pitches, 64 strikes), giving up 1 hits, 5 walks and zero runs, while striking out 5 (back-to-back 7 inning shut-outs).

Astacio has pitched 6.2 innings so far in August in 1 start, but gave up 5 runs in that start and picked up his second loss of the year (ERA of 6.75 for that game and for August). Astacio's first start of the year came on July third against the Marlins. He lasted 5 innings and gave up 1 run off of 3 hits and 1 walk while striking out 2 in 71 pitches (45 strikes).

Weather: tonight: 71° F; 30% chance for rain (day: 84° F with an 60% chance for rain; currently: raining and 72°F).

Starting pitchers:
Probable pitchers still has Bergmann penciled in for tomorrows start but he still hasn't joined the team, and the club still has just 4 pitchers on the depth chart.

Update: Still 4 pitchers on the depth chart, but probable pitchers changed, Traber now scheduled for Friday and Bergmann scheduled for Saturday.

Nationals Lose; Nationals Still have just 4 starting pitchers; Bowden defends himself against Reds claims

2006-08-09T07:40:00.000-05:00

Nationals Lose
Armas pitches 6 outstanding innings and gives up only 9 hits and 4 runs (2 earned) and 1 home-run (he also strikes out 4). Armas picks up the loss, falls to 7-8. Chris Schroder makes major league debut (that or the Nationals/MLB need to update the "career stats" page) in relief of Armas and pitches 1 inning - striking out 1 batter and giving up zero hits, zero walks and zero runs. Rauch also pitches one great inning (1 strike-out) in relief, and Wagner, surprisingly, also pitches 1 great inning in relief (a great inning involves no runners scoring).

Errors: Soriano caught stealing (12th of year); Church makes his 2nd error of the year; Johnson makes his 9th error of the year; and Anderson makes his 7th error of the year (throw). As the Times headline for their recap notes Nats’ errors lead to loss: “It doesn't matter how good a team's pitching is if it can't field.”

"The ball game tonight was not a good ballgame, period," Nationals manager Frank Robinson said. "It was a very uninspired and lack of energy type game. No execution."

47,258 people watched the Redskins scrimmage August 5th at FedEx field. No, not a preseason game, not a regular season game, a scrimmage. Number of people attend the Nationals first home game in 9 games (last home game July 27th)? 24,922. 47,258 turn up to yell and scream and chant players names during warm-ups at a scrimmage, but only 24,922 people turn up for a baseball game.

Getting back to the game: Both Church and Johnson tried to make amends for their poor fielding by hitting home-runs - Church’s sixth and Johnson’s 17th. Unfortunately both were 1 run affairs. The Marlins would end up winning 4-2, and while the Nationals were close, the Marlins lead from the beginning and never seemed to be in any real trouble.

Nationals have 4 starting pitchers:
A long at the transactions page, and the depth chart, show that the Nationals still have just 4 starting pitchers (Armas, Ortiz, Astacio, and Traber). Traber made two previous starts for the Nationals in 2006. On April 20th, in Philly, Traber went 5.2 innings, gave up 3 runs off of 2 hits and four walks while striking out 3 and picking up a win. On April 25th, Traber pitched at RFK against the Reds. He lasted just 1.1 innings, giving up 4 runs off of 4 hits and 2 walks. Traber would pick up a loss for that game and have his ERA move to 9.00 (Home ERA: 27.00; Road ERA: 4.76).

Traber went 6-9 with an ERA of 5.24 in 33 games (18 starts) for the Indians in 2003. He had 1 complete game and 1 shut-out in 111.2 IP. 88 SO vs. 40 walks and just 15 home-runs given up.

The Probable Pitchers page has Traber penciled in for Saturday’s game. Ortiz will pitch tonight, Astacio Thursday, and who is pitching Friday? The probable pitchers page has a career reliever penciled in to start on Friday (Jason Bergmann). Bergmann currently has an ERA of 8.14 (this season in the majors; though not currently in the majors according to transaction page and roster page).

Bowden claims he did nothing wrong in Reds trade

Nationals general manager Jim Bowden said on Tuesday afternoon that there was no wrong doing when he traded reliever Gary Majewski to the Reds on July 13 as part of an eight-player trade that sent outfielder Austin Kearns and shortstop Felipe Lopez to Washington. . . . "A month later, after 11 relief appearances? I don't think (the Reds) feel that way," Bowden said. "If they did, I know one thing: Wayne Krivsky would call me directly. The media wouldn't ask me that, and our organization is always forthright, honest in any transaction we make. We supply every documentation that's ever asked on every single player. I think that's just a media report. I don't think there's any truth to it. The Reds certainly have not called us and they certainly would call us if there was an issue."

- Ladson on Nationals.com.

Despite Bowden’s claim, the “Reds Mulling Action On Majewski's Injury” according to Sheinin of the Washington Post.

Krivsky said he left a message Tuesday morning with Nationals GM Jim Bowden, but had not heard back from him as of early Tuesday evening.

"I did call him," he said. "I just wanted to have a conversation.”

Tonight:
Don’t forget, tonight it’s Dontrelle Willis (7-8, 4.05)vs. Ramon Ortiz (8-9, 4.76).

On-line chat:
Oh, and there is an on-line chat with Barry Svrluga of the Washington Post, today at 2 pm.

Majewski coming back to the Nationals?

2006-08-08T07:52:00.000-05:00

That's what the Reds would like to have happen. Apparently overlooking all indications of a sore arm and tendinitis, the Reds completed a deal that allowed them to have the brief services of Gary Majewski. For whatever reason (sore arm, overworked arm, prior undisclosed injury), Majewski pitched 9.1 rather poor innings in 11 games with the Reds, giving up 21 hits and acquiring an ERA of 12.54 (and blowing two save opportunities; he also struck out 7 in those 9.1 innings, and only walked 3 batters, and gave up just 1 HR).

The part about him coming back? According to the Cincinnati Enquirer:

There is a precedent for the team returning a player involved in a trade because of an injury.

Pat Listach was part of a four-player trade with the New York Yankees and Milwaukee Brewers Aug. 23, 1996. Six days later, the Brewers sent Ricky Bones back to New York after it was discovered Listach was hurt.

Apparently the Reds are quite confused about the situation and never knew anything about the tendinitis or overworked arm. From that Enquirer article: "All he had was ice after the games," Krivsky said. "He wasn't in the training room." Of course, as noted by Chris Needham of Capitol Punishment, anyone with half a brain, or anyone involved in due diligence for the trade would have noticed something about the tendinitis. The links can be found in Needham's blog. Basically the "injury" was all over, in the news, on the web, and even from the pitchers own mouth (though, apparently, not directly to the Reds organization until Monday).

Zimmerman had a hit taken away the other day after the ball bounced off the foul pole and was called foul. The umpire was wrong. The Reds are wrong. But, the result of all this whining might be the return of Majewski to the Nationals and some player/cash whatever, going back to the Reds. That would be the wrong result, but wrong results happen all the time in major league baseball.

Hernandez Traded; Rizzo makes his impact (two prospects drafted under his supervision)

2006-08-07T14:14:00.000-05:00

Livan Hernandez, as the many oddly very similar news stories note, has been traded to the Diamondbacks for some pitching prospects (RHP Garrett Mock (apparently has only played in AA this year; though the Cube has 1.1 innings pitched in the majors) and LHP Matt Chico - played in both advanced A and AA; and maybe 1 IP in majors, according to the Baseball Cube).

Official Release:

The Washington Nationals today acquired a pair of 23 year-old starting pitchers, righthander Garrett Mock and lefthander Matt Chico, from the Arizona Diamondbacks in exchange for right-handed pitcher Livan Hernandez. Nationals Vice President and General Manager Jim Bowden made the announcement.

"I'd like to thank Livan Hernandez for the many contributions he made to this organization during his four years with the club," said Bowden. "Ultimately, the opportunity to acquire two young starting pitchers is consistent with the organization's goal to build toward long-term success."

The 6-foot-4, 215 lbs. Mock entered 2006 rated as the Diamondbacks' No. 7 prospect, per Baseball America, after going 14-7 with a 4.18 ERA (81 ER/174.1 IP) in 28 starts for Single-A Lancaster last season despite pitching in the California League, which is arguably minor league baseball's highest-scoring circuit due to a combination of dry climates, high elevations and small ballparks. Mock's 160 strikeouts (8.3 per 9.0 innings) led all Arizona minor leaguers in 2005. Using Mock's top-flight performance in his first full pro campaign as its guide, Baseball America rated Mock as the second-ranked pitching prospect in Arizona's system.
...

Right, before I end up quoting everything, information about Mock and Chico can be found in the press release.

The current ESPNstory was just the AP story, until two seconds ago when the official press release was merged with the AP story, and some additional reporting was also uploaded.

ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney is reporting that the Diamondbacks also received $2 million from the Nationals in the swap.

The Nationals tried to force Livan Hernandez through waivers so they could make a deal with any team, but Arizona blocked the move, limiting Bowden's options. But Hernandez helped his own value by winning his last four decisions, a remarkable turnaround following his early season struggles.

So, the Diamondbacks received $2 million and Hernandez, and the Nationals received two 23 year-old pitching prospects.

The current Examiner.com article is just the AP story.

The move is symptomatic of last-place Washington's desire to build for the future under new owner Ted Lerner, while Arizona is looking for an edge in the competitive NL West. The Diamondbacks trailed first-place San Diego by two games entering Monday's play.

The SI.com article disagrees with ESPN as to the amount of money going to Arizona.

The Nationals agreed to pay about $1.5 million of the approximately $2.4 million owed Hernandez for the reaminder of this year, SI.com has learned. Also, the Diamondbacks will pay Hernandez's entire $7 million salary for 2007. Hernandez was placed on waivers on Tuesday and claimed by Arizona on Thursday.
....
Bowden said the Nationals have yet to figure a plan to replace Hernandez in the rotation the rest of the season. He said the team will purchase the contract of right-hander Chris Schroder from New Orleans on Tuesday. Schroder will be assigned to the bullpen.

The Washington Times only have a seemingly slightly different AP story (only thing different appears to be the last line).

The Washington Post actually took the time to work in their own words - create their own article about the trade (unlike, say, me). The article is by Svrluga.

The Washington Nationals today traded workhorse right-hander Livan Hernandez, the man who brought baseball back to the nation's capital by throwing the first pitch at RFK Stadium last year, to the Arizona Diamondbacks in exchange for two pitching prospects.

The move -- in which the Nationals acquired 23-year-olds Garrett Mock, a right-hander, and Matt Chico, a left-hander -- is the kind of transaction most in baseball expected the Nationals to make before last week's non-waiver trade deadline, a deal that sent a veteran to a playoff contender in exchange for young players that might help the Nationals in coming years.
... Both players were third-round picks . . . taken under the supervision of former Arizona scouting director Mike Rizzo, who was hired last month to oversee the Nationals' scouting operation. ...rank first and second in the Diamondbacks' system in strikeouts this season

The best article, oddly enough, can be found in a blog. "Livan to the Diamondbacks" by Brian J Oliver of the Nationals Farm Authority.

Gone:

and others not pictured (including Brandon Watson).
PDF (with images) via RSS2PDF

Nationals lose Padres series, Today a Travel day, tomorrow starts Marlins Series

2006-08-07T08:54:00.000-05:00

Nationals won the first game in the Padres series 6-2, but lost 3-6 on Saturday and close extra-inning 2-3 game on Sunday. Ramon Ortiz, Pedro Astacio, and Livan Hernandez pitched in the series, who do you think picked up the win?

Ortiz pitched 6 innings on Friday, giving up 7 hits, 1 HR, 5 walks, and 2 runs while only striking out 3. Bowie, Rauch and Cordero pitched behind Ortiz. The Friday night game was something of a pitchers duel until the 6th inning when the Nationals scored 4 runs (including a 2 run home-run by Zimmerman (his 14th home-run of the year). The Nationals scored first in the third inning, off of a Lopez home-run (his 11th of the year), and added a run in the fifth to take 2-0 lead into the bottom of the fifth inning. The Padres finally scored in the bottom of the fifth and would score another run in the sixth (Bowen home-run), but would fall to the Nationals 6-2.

On Saturday, the Padres jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning. They would add another run in the third, before the Nationals finally scored 1 run in the fourth, and then 2 in the fifth to tie the game. The tie would last until the seventh inning, when the Padres would score two runs to take the lead for good (and score 1 more in the 8th as insurance). Astacio struggled through 6.2 innings and would end up giving up 5 runs, 6 hits, 4 walks, and struck-out 4 (Astacio is now 2-2). Zimmerman hit another home-run in the game, his 15th of the year, and Marlon Anderson hit his 5th home-run of the year.

On Sunday, the Nationals jumped out to an early 1-0 lead before the Padres scored 2 in the 7th to take the lead. The Nationals would immediately respond with 1 more run in the 8th to tie the game. The game would go into extra-innings, and would be won by the Padres in the 10th after they scored 1 run. Of note: Zimmerman hit a long ball that bounced off of the foul pole in the late innings. He had to run back to the batters box from second or third because the hit was called a foul ball. Apparently the bouncing off of the foul pole was not seen by the decision maker (whichever one called it foul). Zimmerman would then fly out to lead off the 9th inning instead of being on second or third after hitting that ball that hit the foul pole. Game was tied 2-2 at that point. Not sure how the game might have turned out without that blown call. Hernandez threw 7 quality innings, giving up just 2 runs off of 1 walk and 7 hits (1 a home-run) while striking out 7. Bowie picked up the loss for giving up that winning run in the bottom of the 10th inning (other than finding errors - mostly wrong word-choice, rereading my own blog means that I'll know that at least 1 person has read it; I need to do it more often).

As mentioned, today is a travel day. Tomorrow starts a 10 game homestand against the Nationals NL East rivals. Marlins up first for Tuesday-Thursday, then Mets for Friday-Sunday, and finally the Braves play four, on Monday through Thursday. Without a break, the team will immediately thereafter go on a road trip. They will visit the Phillies for three games, then visit the Marlins for three games Monday-Wednesday before having an off-day on Thursday.

Tuesday:
RHP Ricky Nolasco (9-7, 4.23) vs. RHP Tony Armas (7-7, 5.16)

Nolasco has a 2.76 ERA for the year (if, as the Probable pitchers page notes, you remove his starts against the Mets, against whom he has a 19.96 ERA). “The 23-year-old is 2-1 against Washington this season.” If it means anything at this point, Nolasco is 4-4 with an ERA of 4.66 on the road.

“Armas has now given up 12 runs in his last 6 2/3 innings.“

Wednesday:
LHP Dontrelle Willis (7-8, 4.05) vs. RHP Ramon Ortiz (8-9, 4.76)

Willis has good months (April - 1-1, 3.13; June 4-1, 2.51; August 1-0, 0.00) and bad months (May 0-5, 6.45; July 1-1, 5.52) and, unfortunately for the Nationals, August is turning out to be a good month for Willis, though he has only started one game so far in August.

So far Ortiz is 1-0, with an ERA of 3.00 in the month of August after 1 start.

Tuesday:
RHP Anibal Sanchez (4-2, 4.27) vs. RHP Pedro Astacio (2-2, 5.49)

The rookie, Sanchez, has now pitched in 132 innings this year (including his time in double-A). His ERA as a starter is 3.21.

Astacio pitched in his longest outing, 6.2 innings, in his last start, but ended up with the loss.
Call-up
Oh, and some LHP pitcher named Billy Traber, who has gone 7-7, with an ERA of 4.05 in New Orleans (AAA), has been called up by the Nationals. He is reportedly going to pitch out of the bullpen, and then start. Most likely his first start will be against the Mets on August 12th, according to the Nationals.com article.

A Look at the Competition: Padres and Marlins (blogs & newspapers)

2006-08-04T09:27:00.000-05:00

San Diego Padres: First place in NL West with a record of 56-52. Nationals play them Friday and Saturday at 10:05 pm & Sunday at 4:05.

Probable Pitchers:
Friday (tonight): RHP Ramon Ortiz (7-9, 4.84) vs. RHP Chris Young (9-4, 3.57)
Last start for Ortiz, he pitched 6.1 innings and gave up 3 runs. Last start against the Padres (only start this season against them) Ortiz pitched 6.1 innings and gave up 2 runs. Nationals lost.

Young’s second start since skipping start due to “stress reaction in his right foot” (whatever that means). Young was 2-1 with an ERA of 5.74 in 5 starts in July. He faced the Nationals on July 8th, and won the game, 6 innings pitched, 2 runs given up off of 7 hits and 0 walks (+ 1 HR), while striking out 9 (102 pitches, 67 strikes). This season, Young is 4-4 at home with an ERA of 4.77 in 11 starts (vs. 5-0 with an ERA of 2.42 in 10 road starts).

Saturday: RHP Pedro Astacio (2-1, 5.23) vs. RHP Mike Thompson (3-3, 4.34)
While Astacio has lasted at least six innings in his last three starts (and picked up a win in his most recent), Astacio lasted just 3.2 innings against the Padres on July 8th. He gave up 5 runs (4 ER).

Thompson is apparently a good (or consistent) emergency starter (according to the probable pitchers notes). 7 quality starts in 11 starts. 3 GS in May (2-1, 3.50), 5 GS in June (1-1, 4.82), and 3 GS in July (0-1, 4.42).

Sunday: RHP Livan Hernandez (9-8, 5.48) vs. RHP Jake Peavy (5-11, 4.81)
Hernandez has done quite while in his last several starts. Will face the Padres for the 15th time on Sunday (probably start; 8-1, 3.10 ERA against Padres).

Both Hernandez and Peavy went 7 innings in their 2 starts. While Hernandez picked up 2 wins, Peavy went 1-1 (even though he had only given up 1 run in that loss). Peavy is currently 0-1, with an ERA of 1.29 in August. He had a rough July (1-2, 7.13 ERA in 4 starts), but has had two good starts going into Sunday’s game.

Local newspaper: San Diego Tribune.

Nick Canepa: “Petco Park: Cursed place in National League West “

If you go by the first play of yesterday's game at Petco Park, the Padres may not need a third baseman more than they need an exorcist. Or, with exorcists being in great demand these days, at the very least an allergist with a witch background.

Blogs: Ducksnorts: No entry yet about the Nationals visiting. Sample from most recent entry (8/3/06) about Padres vs. Astros.

I guess now we know why last year Bruce Bochy wouldn’t stick a guy at third who hadn’t played the position in a while. Todd Walker went 1-for-3 at the plate in his first Padres start, and 2-for-4 in the field. Just a guess here, but I’m thinking we already had guys in the organization who could do that.

Gaslamp Ball: Nothing yet on the upcoming Nationals visit. Sample from most recent entry (8/3/06) about Padres vs. Astros:

I think the Padres think that if they just play half assed baseball that they will win the NL West.

San Diego Spotlight: Nothing yet on upcoming Nationals games. Most recent entry: “Padres Juggle The Roster, Trying To Hold On”:

The San Diego Padres have watched their northern neighbors tear their club apart but have decided that pitching, and not just starting pitching, is the way to the promised land. . . . Meanwhile, there have been changes. Todd Walker has flown out from the midwest for a shot at filling the hole at third base. Ben Johnson came off the DL and probably had to be stopped from packing his bags for Portland by reflex. Finally, a distinguished veteran has been reluctantly given his release for the second time in less than a month.

I’m sure there are other Padres blogs out there, but none of the other Padres blogs listed on Baseball Blogs are currently active.

Monday is a travel day, then three games at home vs the Florida Marlins (51-57, 3rd place - at moment).

Probably too far out to determine, but at present, RHP Ricky Nolasco is probable for Tuesday. No news on any other pitcher for this series.

Local newspaper: Miami Hearld
Marlins defeated the Mets on Thursday (article
Greg Cote: Marlins are just as wild-card worthy

Somebody is going to win the NL wild-card ticket, not necessarily by merit, but because it's required. It's sort of like somebody on the ballot is going to be elected. The résumé might be dubious and there might be hanging chads where a majority might have been -- but someone will be elected.

Blogs:
Marlins Ball: Marlins blog version of Nationals minor league blog: Nationals Farm Authority

FishStripes: most recent entry sample:

The team is only 4 games out but there are six teams ahead of us. In order to win the spot, the Fish have to stay hot, hot, hot, and hope that none of the teams that are already ahead us puts together a championship run.

The Marlins Ballpark News: Most recent entry was on July 29, 2006.

Marlins Today: Most recent entry is a video “I’ll be ready for Billy Wagner in the 9th.”

And the blog on my sidebar: Marlins Nation: Most recent entry is from July 31st and mentions that the Marlins are “making a bid for Soriano.”

Soriano would offer the Marlins a win/win gamble, and seems to be the type that has been a calling card of the Loria group. The Marlins would benefit offensively from landing Soriano, who most likely would man CF for the Marlins - albeit with a defensive risk built in. It wouldn't cost the Marlins any immediate pitching help - Pinto, Vargas and Petit have been unable to secure a spot mostly because the talent is overcrowding the parent club. And the scary thing is, there is more still to come.

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Memories

2006-08-03T14:07:00.000-05:00

Nationals lost last game, won series but did not sweep Giants in San Fran. Armas is a lame race horse. You know what they do with lame race horses, right? That's right, they patch them up and make some money through stud fees (what, you thought they shot racehorses? only if they stud fees wouldn't draw in enough money).

Right, I don't particularly want to wade through a "we jumped out to an early lead through a lead-off home-run by Soriano (his 7th this year, 30th in his career), but Armas can't pitch and the Giants tied it up in the bottom of the 1st inning. Tie would remain until third inning, when the Giants added another run to pull ahead for good. Added 4 more runs in the 4th, during which inning Armas was pulled for Rivera. Nationals added 2 runs in the 7th to pull within 3 (6-3 Giants at time), but Giants covered those runs by scoring 2 more runs in the bottom of the 7th to jump out to a seemingly huge lead of 8-3. But the Nationals rallyed and added 3 more runs in the top of the ninth, to bring the score to 8-6. Man on base, Escobar up, 2 outs in the ninth. Escobar strikes out when an obviously outside ball is called a strike. Nationals lose 8-6. Nationals needed to use the services of relievers Rivera, Corcoran (lowers ERA to 11.57), Wagner (gave up 2 more runs, ERA now 16.88), and Hughes. Oddly enough, the Giants would need to use the same number of relievers, though theirs had to work less innings, since Schmidt actually made it 6 innings" type of a recap (by the way, I'm not quoting anyone, those are my words in the quotes).

So, some pictures to remember the Nationals for no particular reason other than I don't feel like writting a blog (too late now?):

Anyone recognize this game? It's an Astros vs. Nationals game from July 23, 2005.

- there's the fourth inning, Nationals up 4-0.
Recall Brad Wilkerson? He lead off. Vidro? He was second. Guillen, Church, Preston Wilson, can't tell, Schneider, Guzman, and Armas round out the line-up. Remember when Armas could throw 4 innings without giving up a run?

- Remember someone named Matt LeCroy?

- how about Clayton, remember him?

- Remember some pitcher named Ramirez, who ended up getting dropped from the team?

- How about Eischen, anyone remember a pitcher named Eischen?

- Here's O'Connor from June 8th, when he pitched the Nationals to a 5-2 victory over the Phillies (pitched 6 solid innings).

- Harris makes the catch, remember Harris (June 11, 2006)?

- Here's Bray on June 11th. Future all-star reliever/maybe closer.

- Fick homers. June 11th.

- Shawn Hill - what's the latest news on this pitcher?

- Here's Guillen hitting a double. Anyone think we will see him in a Nationals uniform on the field again?

- Remember Chicken man?

- think we are going to re-sign Mike Stanton this off-season, like last off-season?

- Remember when Mickey Vernon played for the Senators?

- Frank Howard? Former Senators player?

- Majewski - former Nationals player?

- Bergmann? Anyone remember Bergmann?

As I said, I have nothing to say today. No roster movements were announced . . . etc.

Nationals Win, Today's game starts at 3:35 EST

2006-08-02T09:36:00.000-05:00

Nationals win second straight, and second since Soriano and team informed Soriano not traded. Hernandez pitched 7 solid innings, giving up just 1 run, 1 walk and 6 hits, while striking out 3 and picking up his ninth win of the season while facing 27 batters (93 pitches, 57 strikes). Bowie continued to impress in relief and Cordero picked up his 19 save. Schneider surprisingly went 2 for four, raising his hitting average up to .229. Castro entered the game and pinch ran for Ward, who had pinch hit for Hernandez in the 8th. Castro would score. Castro has now appeared in several games since being promoted, but mostly as a pinch runner. He has had the chance to bat just twice.

How were the runs scored? Washington pulled out to an early lead when they scored 1 run in the third inning. Schneider lead off in his first at-bat in the game with a single. Pitcher Cain balked, moving Schneider to second. Hernandez grounded out, but Schneider moved to third on the out. Soriano then hit a sac fly and Schneider ran home. With 2 outs, Lopez tripled, but then Zimmerman struck out for the third out of the inning. End of 3: Nationals up 1-0.

The score would remain 1-0 until the sixth inning when the Nationals added an another run in the top of the sixth. They will need that run, because the Giants finally got on the board in the bottom of the sixth with 1 run. Lopez walked to start off the sixth inning. Zimmerman walked, Lopez moved to third. Johnson hit into a double play, but while the Giants were throwing the ball around, Lopez scored. Score end of half inning: 2-0 Nationals.

Hernandez pitched the sixth inning, and gave up a single to Vizquel, who lead off the inning. Vizquel then stole second, Sweeney out (fly out), Alou struck out. 2 out, runner on second. Durham singles, Vizquel runs home. Hernandez gets Finley to hit into a fielder's choice situation. End of inning score: 2-1 Nationals.

The Giants were done offensively, but the Nationals added two more runs in the 8th inning when Zimmerman doubled, allowing Castro and Lopez to score.

Washington Post recap:

Livan Hernandez used to do this all the time. He pitched seven innings every time out, baffled batters with his ridiculously slow curveball, shrugged his shoulders as he walked off the mound, as if to say, "Hit that!"

Washington Times recap:

He was available to anyone willing to take him - and his contract - on. . . . the portly right-hander got his wish and remained with the Nationals . . . perhaps his best seven innings of baseball all season.

AP recap of the game (posted on WTOP website).

The San Francisco Giants have gone from having a half-game lead in the division and a season-best five-game winning streak to their worst skid in 10 years _ all in a span of 11 days.

Nationals.com recap.

THE PRESS DEMOCRAT article about the Giants skid "Giants make it 9 losses in a row".

Just over a decade and four playoff appearances later, the Giants have come full circle, losing their ninth consecutive game, 4-1, to the Washington Nationals before a disgruntled crowd of 37,258 at AT&T Park.

Inside Bay Area.com article "Woes mushroom on Giants"

The Giants made a sunny announcement from the "all is well" school of public relations Tuesday, putting out a release that they surpassed 3 million in ticket sales for the seventh straight season.

Then they gave their fans another reason to check the refund policy.

Roster Moves:
Robert Fick placed on the DL (left rib cartilage separation; expected out 3 to 4 weeks according to the Times) and 6'4" thirty-year-old catcher Brandon Harper of AAA New Orleans promoted.

Harper was hitting .292 in 43 games in New Orleans (120 AB; though his college says that he was batting .276 with 1 home-run in 39 games, the other stats come from the New Orleans team stats page). He had 10 doubles, 2 home-runs, 11 RBI, 15 walks to 21 strike-outs, 3 stolen bases to 1 CS, and had an OBP of .394, a slugging percentage of .425 and an OPS of .819. He played 2 games at 1B, 2 in the OF and 34 games at catcher in New Orleans. He had a total of 2 errors, though it does not mention where those errors occurred.

Harper attended Dallas Baptist University and was drafted in the fourth round by the Florida Marlins in 1997. He is originally from Odessa Texas. According to the Dallas Baptist University website, Harper was NAIA Second Team as a catcher in 1997.

According to The Baseball Cube (see why all this might not be correct, later): Harper has played 8 years in the minors (not including this year), and has appeared in 610 games in the minors. He has a career (not including this season) minor league batting average of .244, with an OBP of .324, and a slugging percentage of .358 (OPS of .682). 232 strike-outs to 223 walks. 11 stolen bases to 8 caught stealing. 40 home-runs, 262 RBI, 5 triples, and 99 doubles. The Baseball Cube website has Harper playing with the Tigers in 2005 for 3 games, the Nationals website has no mention of a MLB debut having occurred yet (and no stats for this year, or any year, though the Baseball Cube site has Harper down for playing 8 games this year with the Nationals). Baseball Reference has no record of Harper. And the Minor League Baseball website only has Harper's stats at New Orleans (stats match up with New Orleans website). So, is the Baseball Cube information usable?

Washington Times article on the revolving door at RFK (roster and injuries - "name tags" needed).

For those keeping track, Harper will become the 50th player used by the Nationals this season, tops in the major leagues. They have promoted an astounding 24 players from either New Orleans or Class AA Harrisburg since Opening Day, 16 of them pitchers.

Nationals promoted Harper -- a 30-year-old who has never played in the big leagues before.

- guess can't trust Baseball Cube stats then.

Today:
Armas (7-6, 4.79) vs. Schmidt (7-7, 3.18)

Jason Schmidt had a great May and June, but has otherwise struggled this year (almost 5 ERA in April and July). Schmidt is currently 5-1, with an ERA of 2.77 at home (11 GS). He is also better, this year, in day games (7-4, 2.71 ERA in 13 GS). After the All-Star game, Schmidt is 1 for 2 in 3 games started, and has an ERA of 6.00.

Nationals have Thursday off, then some more late night games. Friday & Saturday: 10:05 pm EST, in San Diego. And then a "day" game on Sunday (4:05pm EST), before heading home on Monday (travel day). Marlins arrive Tuesday August 8th. San Diego is currently in first place in the NL West with a record of 55-51, and the Marlins are currently in third place with a record of 50-56.

Baseball, MLB, Washington Nationals, Nationals, San Francisco Giants, Livan Hernandez, Brandon Harper, Jason Schmidt, Nationals game recap

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Nationals: #1 losers, according to SI; No, they did the Good/Right thing, according to Boswell

2006-08-01T12:55:00.000-05:00

Boswell, GM Bowden, Pres. Kasden, Zimmerman, et al expressed the thought that Bowden did the right thing in not trading Soriano. But others think Bowden/Nationals is/are a huge failure.

Why:

Zuckerman:

given the mammoth season he's having and a weak free agent class, he easily will command a deal in the neighborhood of five years and upward of $65 million.

Jon Heyman of the Daily Scoop on SI.com picks the Nationals as the number 1 losers.

The Nationals had 7 players on the block, according to Heyman (actually, they had everyone but Zimmerman, and probably except for Schneider and Johnson on the trade block). How many of these 7 players (Soriano, Ortiz, Hernandez, Armas, Stanton, Guillen, Vidro) did the Nationals unload? One - Mike Stanton. Therefore they are the biggest losers of this trade cycle, according to Heyman. Of course Guillen is on the DL, Vidro might as well be, Hernandez is playing through the pain, Armas is on and off the DL, and Ortiz is not exactly a top-tier pitcher.

Boswell looks beyond the bottom line, the fantasy baseball team type analysis and looks closer to the team itself. While it is true that the team could conceivable have added depth to a “barren” farm system by making a trade, any trade, they still have two draft picks available to them if Soriano doesn’t sign with the team (and more if the others leave, the ones who can leave that is). Boswell noted that it might be better to create goodwill with their team (players), fans (attendance down something like 5000, fewer season ticket holders; they like Soriano), and with the rest of the baseball player pool. Boswell points out that a team can become quite hampered by their reputation. The Orioles have a quite bad reputation among the players, apparently, and they have a problem drawing free agents, or even get players to accept being traded to them (Burrell: “reportedly vetoed a trade to the Orioles”) plus management - read owner, has the tendency to turn down good deals (do they really want to win?). The Nationals were starting to go down that route, forcing Soriano to play a position he didn’t want to play, docking his pay (threatening to if he didn’t play left) and basically creating a bad environment. If someone had offered top tier prospects, the Nationals would have made the deal, but the Nationals were only offered, or apparently only offered less than top-tier prospects, so the Nationals didn’t trade Soriano. A certain minor feeling of goodwill will be developed among the Nationals players, those fans that like Soriano will be happy, and the Nationals short-to-long term farm system will take a minor hit for not making a trade. The ball, as they say, is now in Soriano’s corner. If Soriano doesn’t sign the Nationals should be able to draft prospects of a somewhat similar caliber as to those players that the other teams were offering in trade. If Soriano does sign, he can lead the core group of major league level Nationals (Kearns in right, Church in center, Zimmerman at third, Lopez at SS, Johnson at 1B, Schneider at C) as the team redevelops its farm system and fills in the missing pieces (like, say, pitching).

My opinion? What do I know, I’m just a season ticket holder. I want a reason to use my tickets, and therefore want to see Soriano on the field (along with Zimmerman, and the rest). On the other hand, I’ve been through the “rebuilding, no now we are going for it, oops we’re really rebuilding” years with the Orioles. The Orioles are dead to me now. The Nationals better get a plan and follow it. The Expos had a great farm system over the years. The players came up and then left the organization. You can rebuild the farm system while still fielding a major league level team up at the big club. If the team puts a decent group of players out on the field, signs its youngsters (instead of watching them leave like the Expos), and builds a core group of players that lead the Nationals to challenging the Braves for division title champion (Braves, shouldn’t they be challenging the Mets and Marlins?), then they will have accomplished their stated plan. But the team can go through many years of building a farm system without actually ever getting anywhere, and prospects can stumble, injury themselves, fumble around and never get anywhere.

By the way, you do know how high Soriano went in the draft, right? How the teams fought over his services, and he ended up a number 1 pick, right? Actually Soriano entered MLB professional baseball as a free agent signee of the New York Yankees.

Soriano Stays, no one traded on deadline day; Nationals Finally Win another Game

2006-08-01T08:22:00.000-05:00

The deadline came and went, and while rumors flew, no trade was announced at the deadline, nor after.

"At the end of the day, it was a very simple decision for us: Keeping Alfonso was the best thing for the Nationals," Bowden said.

- “I’m Happy” article on SI.com.

Soriano's happy, the players & Robinson appear to be happy, some fans are happy (some would have preferred rebuilding the farm system to renting a player for two months, or signing a long term contract with Soriano which might cause the team to end up with an aging overpriced player that no other team will want in five years; response: see Mike Stanton; response to response: see difference between bullpen pitcher and outfielder/infielder career longivity). Time will tell if Soriano will still be on the team after this season, or if the team will have to settle for the two compenstory draft picks (time will also tell which outcome would have been better).

Hernandez, Ortiz, & Armas were all discussed as possible pitchers to be moved through trade. None were moved. Some talk about whether one, or any could or would be moved through waivers (either attempted trade (up to August 31) or salary dump). Time will again tell what will happen with them.

Last Night:
Nationals defeat Giants, again, this time in San Francisco. The Nationals jumped out to an early lead in the first inning with two outs. Soriano lead off with an out (lined out to left), Lopez was second and he doubled. Zimmerman grounded out, but moved Lopez to third. 2 outs, Johnson up. Lowry throws, misses the catcher, and Lopez runs home. Scoring: Wild Pitch. Score: 1-0 Nationals (Johnson will walk and Kearns will strike out to end the inning).

Astacio kept the Giants off the board in the first inning, and Lowry shut down the Nationals in the second, but the Giants came back and tied the game in the bottom of the second inning. Feliz lead-off and was out. Greene doubled (a pattern?). Lowry singled, moving Greene to third (no pattern). Winn Sac flies, and Greene scores, Vizquel ends inning by striking out. Score: 1-1.

The score remains 1-1 until the fourth inning, when the Nationals add 5 runs. Kearns lead off with a double. Church also doubles, driving in Kearns. Jackson walks. Fick singles, Church and Jackson advance. Bases loaded. Soriano hits it over the fence, but ball bounces first, ground rule double. Church and Jackson score, Fick on third, Soriano on second. Lopez sac fly, Fick scores. Zimmerman singles, Soriano scores. Johnson grounds out to end inning. Score: 6-1, Nationals.

Astacio kept the Giants off the board in the bottom of the 4th inning, but gives up 2 runs in the bottom of the fifth. Vizquel tripled (driving in Winn), and Durham singled (driving in Vizquel) to push the score to 6-3.

Corriea replaced Lowry in the sixth and other than giving up a single to Soriano leading off the inning, Corriea shut down the Nationals. Astacio pitches the sixth and keeps the Giants off the board. Mike Stanton, remember Mike Stanton?, pitched the seventh inning. Stanton gave up a single to Kearns, but otherwise shut down the Nationals.

Astacio starts the seventh and Schneider comes in to catch. Winn leads off with a single, and Vizquel hits another triple - Winn scores (score: 6-4). Ryan Wagner, of the Reds trade, enters the game, relieving Astacio. Durham grounds out to catcher, Bonds walks, Finley attempts sac fly, but Vizquel thrown out at home by Soriano (2 outs in play, 2nd and third outs).

Wilson relieves Stanton for the 8th inning, and gets Wagner, the pitcher, to ground out. Soriano singles, then steals second. Lopez walks. Zimmerman walks. Bases loaded, 1 out. Kline relieved Wilson. Immediately strikes out Johnson - 2 outs, bases loaded. Kearns doubles - clears bases. Score now: 9-4. 2 outs, runner on second. Church doubles, Kearns scores. Score now: 10-4, 2 outs, runner on second. Jackson walks, but Schneider flies out. Nationals ahead 10-4. Up 6 runs.

Wagner starts bottom of 8th (the reason he hit in the top of the 8th). Hillenbrand hit by pitch to lead off inning. Feliz singles, Hillenbrand moves to second. Greene walks. Bases loaded. Sweeney pinch hits for pitcher Kline. Winn hits into fielders choice, runner out at second, only 1 out in play. Vizquel singles, but no one scores. 1 out, bases loaded. Corcoran relieves Wagner. Gives up single to Durham. Score 10-7, 1 out. Cordero relieves Corcoran, Anderson enters and plays second. Bonds flies out. Inning over? 2 outs recorded? Some part of the play-by-play missing. Whatever happened, score at end of 8 innings: Nationals ahead 10-7.

No more runs score. Astacio picks up second win, though gave up 4 runs in 6 innings pitched. Wagner gives up 3 runs in first 1.2 innings as a National, ERA: 16.20. 15 strikes in 27 pitches thrown, faced 9 batters. Cordero picks up 18th save.

ESPN box score

Tonight:
RHP Livan Hernandez (8-8, 5.70) vs. RHP Matt Cain (7-7, 4.87)

Cain faced Hernandez & Washington in last start on July 27, 2006. Hernandez won, Cain lost. In July Cain was 1-1 with an era of 4.02. Cain is better at home (relatively), with a record of 4-4, and an era of 4.36. Also: since All-Star game, ERA: 3.80 in 3 games started.

Hernandez has had three striaght wins, as mentioned (or implied above) last game was against Cain and the Giants. Hernandez was 2-0, with an ERA of 6.18 in July. He is 2-0, with an ERA of 4.26 in the three games since the All-Star game. Hernandez has a better record away from RFK, with a record of 4-3, ERA of 5.23. Hernandez played for the Giants from 1999-2002 (record of 45-45).

Soriano to the Tigers, through the Marlins?

2006-07-31T07:54:00.000-05:00

Not likely, but Stark mentioned the possibility. The Nationals want pitching prospects and the Marlins are loaded with pitching prospects. The Marlins would trade pitching prospects to the Nationals for Soriano, then the Marlins would turn around and trade him to the Tigers for something or other (outfield prospect Cameron Maybin?). There is some indication that the Tigers and Marlins have discussed this particular scenario. And some indication that the Marlins talked with the Nationals. News stories on this particular development: Sun Sentinel (South Florida News)

It is believed the Marlins are willing to part with some upper level pitching prospects such as Yusmeiro Petit, Renyel Pinto and Jason Vargas to land the five-time All-Star and make a run at the wild card.

Nationals General Manager Jim Bowden has not received what he considers a suitable offer for Soriano, particularly from a pitching standpoint. The Marlins can satisfy that requirement.

(no mention of the 'to Tigers' part).
And: Fox Sports:

One rival executive predicts that the Nationals will either make a killer trade or one so poor that 15 teams will end up thinking they could have offered a better package for Soriano.

The Marlins tried to broker a deal for Soriano on Sunday with the idea of flipping him to the Tigers in a three-way trade that potentially could have landed them prime outfield prospect Cameron Maybin.

An official with knowledge of those talks, however, say that such a deal is unlikely to occur.

Abreu and Lidle to the Yankees, Red Sox likes countering the Yankee’s moves so they talked with the Nationals about Soriano. Red Sox have prospects, but don’t really want to trade them. Red Sox still might make a deal, though.

Apparently the Astros, Angels and Twins are also still in the trade talks, Dodgers slipped off radar (along with the other teams not mentioned).

Keep Soriano, trade him, whatever happens has to be decided by 4:00 pm today.

Also: Nationals swept by Dodgers, O’Connor back to minors with sore elbow, Ryan Wagner of the Reds trade up to majors. Travis Hughes, brought up when Stanton traded, pitched July 29th and gave up 1 hit in 1 inning of work, but otherwise had zeros across the board. He has now appeared in 17 games in the majors.

And Also: The other Nationals: Hernandez, Armas, and now even Ortiz are mentioned by Stark as possible pitcher pick-ups through trade. Red Sox, Blue Jays, Yankees, Rangers, Mets, Dodgers, and Reds are interested in pitching, according to Stark. Hernandez has had three straight quality starts, the other two pitchers are “as is” type trade acquisitions.

Oh, and Dontrelle Wills placed on waivers. No, the Nationals can’t quickly claim him. Apparently he was put on waivers to keep other teams from asking for his services (can’t be traded until waivers expire). Anyone claims Wills, Marlins revoke waivers.

Tonight:
Will the losing ever end? Tonight Astacio (1-1, 5.06) faces off against Lowry (5-6, 4.16), again. You might recall that both pitchers last faced each other in their last starts. Lowry lasted 6 innings, giving up 8 hits and 2 unearned runs (and 1 walk) before being pulled (he also struck out 4). Astacio lasted 1 extra out (6.1 innings pitched), giving up 6 hits 3 runs (2 earned) 2 walks and also struck out 4 before being pulled. Neither pitcher picked up a win or loss from the game. The Nationals won 4-3, and Rivera picked up his first win. Recap of that game.

Nationals lose; Stanton gone, hello Martis; Soriano?

2006-07-29T09:13:00.000-05:00

Rookie Billingsley picks up 2nd win as the Nationals are defeated 13-1. Nationals actually lead briefly in the top of the 2nd inning. With 2 out and 2 on (Johnson and Anderson out; Kearns and Church walked), Schneider shows that he can still, occasionally, hit the ball by driving in Kearns off of a single. Unfortunately that was all the offense that the Nationals would produce in the game. The Dodgers immediately responded in the bottom of the 2nd with 4 runs to take the lead for good. They would eventually win by a score of 13-1. Armas lasted just 3 innings, giving up 7 hits, 2 home-runs, 1 walk, and six runs while also striking out 2. Lopez (known for his poor fielding), Ward, and Jackson all committed errors in the game. Soriano was unexpectedly lifted in the fifth inning when Fick pinch-hit for him. Apparently he was lifted because Robinson thought the Dodgers were just too far in front of the Nationals (up 10-1 at the time) that he might as well rest Soriano (according to the ESPN recap).

Stanton – Martis:
Prior to the game, 39-year old reliever Mike Stanton was traded to the San Francisco Giants for a pitching prospect named Shairon Martis. Despite moving from an east coast team to a west coast team, Stanton will have to fly back from LA to Pittsburgh to join his new team. Shairon B. Martis is a right-handed pitcher born March 30, 1987. He stands 6 feet 1 inch, and is listed with a weight of 175 pounds. The 19 year-old is/was currently in Single-A Augusta and had a record of 6-4, 3.64 ERA in 15 games started. He has pitched in 76.2 innings so far this year, giving up 76 hits, 31 ER, 3 HR, 21 BB, 3 WP, and striking out 66 (and has a WalksHitsIP of 1.27). In 2005, Martis pitched for the Arizona Giants, the rookie level Giants minor league team. He started 5 games (appeared in 11), and had a record of 2-1, 1.85 ERA, 1 save - 34 innings pitched, 28 hits, 7 earned runs, 1 home-run 9 walks, 50 strike-outs, 3 wild pitches, 1.09 WHIP.

As has already been mentioned, Martis pitched in the 2006 World Baseball Classic with the Netherlands. The only information from his activity in the WBC seems to be that he threw a 7 inning no-hitter in 65 pitches.

Soriano:
Apparently the Astros and the Twins are now the front runners for Soriano’s services (according to what I read on ESPN, though Stark is reporting what others are saying). Tiger dropped from front-runner status because they don’t want to trade OF Cameron Maybin (10th overall pick in 2005; 19 year old currently in single A, 243 AB, 15 doubles, 5 triples, 5 home-runs, 47 RBI, 22 SB, 2 CS, 35 walks to 80 strike-outs, .317 batting average, .404 OBP, .481 slg, .886 OPS; 4 games in majors with Tigers, 5 AB, 1 strike-out), and the Nationals are concerned about Humberto Sanchez’s elbow (has played in both AA and AAA this year, 11 GS in AA – 5-3, 1.76, 71.2 IP, 47 H, 17 R, 14 ER, 2 HR, 27 BB, 86 SO, 4 WP, 1.03 WHIP; AAA: 5-3, 3.61, 47.1 IP, 45 hits, 20 runs, 19 earned, 2 home-runs, 19 walks, 39 strike-outs, 1 wild pitch, 1.35 WHIP; 2002-2005 minor league career stats: 64 GS (68 overall, 20-25, 4.73, 3 complete games, 331 IP, 321 H, 203 R, 174 ER, 24 HR, 183 BB 317 SO 29 WP 1.52 WHIP – 2002 A-; 2003 A; 2004 A+ & AA; 2005 AA (just 15 games total). White Sox dropped from co-front runner status because they won’t trade RHP Brandon McCarthy (17th round, 2002 Amateur draft; 23, 6-7, 180 pounds, 2006: majors: 3-4, 3.91 34 games, 1 GS, 53 IP, 39 hits, 23 er, 8 hr, 17 bb, 33 SO, 1.25 WHIP; 2005: majors: 3-2, 4.03, 12 games, 10 starts, 67 IP, 62 hits, 30 er, 13 hr, 17 walks, 48 strike-outs, 1 wp; 1.18 whip), nor 3B Josh Fields (6-2, 210 pounds, Dec. 14, 1982; 1st round 2004; currently in triple A, a 3B, so I won’t continue). Twins are said to have wanted Carlos Lee, but Lee is now a Ranger. Twins are apparently deep in prospects, and apparently Soriano is the last impact offensive player out there that will be a free agent in the off-season (as Stark puts it “money entanglements”). Astros want to add something, anything to increase their playoff chances, but are said to be reluctant to part with some of their prospects.

Tonight:
LHP Michael O’Connor (3-6, 4.59) vs. Lowe (7-7, 4.18 era)

I believe the game starts sometime after 4 pm EST, so I'll stick with "tonight".

Nationals win sixth straight, Soriano not yet traded (nor anyone else, like Hernandez), plus tips on taking photos through nets/fencing

2006-07-28T10:05:00.000-05:00

Livan Hernandez wins his 8th victory in 2006 and is now 8-8, and Cordero picks up his 17th save in Thursday’s day game. Since June 5th, Hernandez’s ERA has risen from 5.16 (a low of 5.06) to his present era of 5.70 (a high of 5.94). He is currently giving up almost six runs a game. In the last three games, though, he has only giving up 3 runs a game, and lasted at least 6 innings (and 7 innings on Thursday). Of course the start before that he gave up 7 earned runs in 1.2 innings of work. On the other hand, he has now won three straight decisions (and the team has won all six of the games he pitched in that time period). The point? Hernandez might be traded, team’s are looking for pitchers, and these are Hernandez current stats.

Right, the actual game on Thursday (see photo set of the game by MissChatter):
Soriano lead off with his 32nd home-run of the year, and Zimmerman added his 13th home-run of the year in the third inning. Hernandez was given an early lead and he held it until the third inning when he gave up a third inning lead off home-run to catcher Eliezer Alfonzo (8th home-run of the year). The Nationals responded immediately with Zimmerman’s 2 run home-run in the bottom of the third, pushing the Nationals back into a 3-1 lead. Unfortunately, the Giants immediately responded in the 4th when Alfonzo sac flied, driving in Sweeney, and Vizcaino singled to drive in Durham to tie the game 3-3. The game was tied until the seventh inning, when the Nationals finally jumped ahead for good. Fick walked to lead off the seventh inning, Hernandez bunted, and was out. Soriano then walked. Lopez grounded out, then Zimmerman walked. 2 out, bases loaded. Sanchez then relieved starting pitcher Matt Cain. First batter Sanchez faced: Johnson. Johnson hits a double to right field, driving in Fick and Soriano and moving Zimmerman to third. Chulk then replaced Sanchez and immediately gave up a single to Kearns. Soriano and Johnson score. Game over? Score 6-3? Not quite.

Micah Bowie replaces Hernandez for the 8th inning and faces just three batters, all of whom Bowie gets out. Cordero relieved Bowie for the 9th inning. Score 6-3 Nationals. Sweeney leads off the 9th with a ground out. Durham then singles. Feiliz up and out. 2 outs, 1 runner on, 1 runner at the plate. Worst that could happen at this point and the Nationals still would be ahead. The worst happens and Alfonzo hits his second home-run of the game (and 9th overall), driving himself and Durham. Score now: 6-5 Nationals. Todd Greene up (I believe Greene came into the game in the to play 1B, Hillenbrand moved from 1B to 3B, and Feliz moved from 3B to SS, Vizcaino out; not sure when this occurred though). Greene strikes out, Nationals win 6th straight, Hernandez wins his 8th game, Cordero his 17th save, Bowie his third hold, and the Nationals are now only 10 games under .500.

Tonight: LA; and future
Tonight the team starts a three game series against the LA Dodgers (47-55), and then will face the Giants again, this time in San Francisco for three games before an off day on Thursday (8/3/06; then San Diego for 3, then an off-day, then 10 games at home against NL East division opponents). So do the Nationals have it in them to win 9 games in a row on the road? Pulling within one game of .500 before facing their NL East opponents for the rest of August (13 games at home, 9 games on the road)?

Right, first the Nationals have to try to win tonight before we jump too far ahead.
Tonight Tony Armas (7-5, 4.35) faces RHP Chad Billingsley (1-3, 4.26).
Armas is 2-1, 3.71 against the Dodgers and is 1-1, 3.75 for July. Armas is actually better on the road so far this season. 5-4, with an era of 3.53 in 9 games started vs 2-1 with an era of 5.40 at home in 8 games started.

Billingsley is a rookie who has pitched 8 total games in the majors (1-3, 4.26 ERA). Billingsley routinely lasts just 5 innings, though his first win came in a game where he pitched 7 innings.

Saturday: July 29, 2006
LHP Michael O’Connor (3-6, 4.59) vs. RHP Derek Lowe (7-7, 4.18)
O’Connor’s first start against the Dodgers, and Lowe is currently having some pitching problems (ERA moved from 3.49 to 4.18 over 1 month; see probable pitchers page).

Sunday: July 30, 2006
RHP Ramon Ortiz (7-9, 4.87) vs. LHP Mark Hendrickson (4-12, 4.10)
Ortiz: 7 innings of work in first start against the Dodgers on May 28 (this year), gave up 3 runs. Nationals won.

Hendrickson has pitched just 5 games with the Dodgers as of 7/28/06; yet to win a game with them; era of 4.97 with them.

Monday: July 31, 2006
RHP Pedro Astacio (1-1, 5.06) vs. LHP Noah Lowry (5-6, 4.16)
Both Astacio and Lowry last pitched against each other in their last starts. Astacio lasted 6.1 innings and gave up 2 ER (3 total), and Lowry pitched 6 innings and gave up 2 unearned runs.

Trade deadline day. All of the above pitching match-ups are just “probable.”

A trick to take pictures through a net (like behind home-plate at RFK) or fence-like obstruction:
You want to take a picture of the batter (or runner, or whatever that is viewable through the net). If you point, focus on the batter, and take a picture, the camera is likely to focus on the net (even if the little focus box is around the batter, it is probably focused on the net around the batter, not the batter). So what do you do?
1) Focus on something outside the net, preferably on the field (third baseman is not blocked by the net).
2) Lock in your focus (on my camera, that means that the box is now green).
3) Move your camera back to the net area and take a picture of the batter. (probably better to focus on something the same distance as the batter and same lighting conditions of the batter; but focusing on the third baseman will give you good results).

Hopefully these notes are helpful.

Nationals defeat Giants for second time, Today a day game, Sweep?

2006-07-27T08:33:00.000-05:00

Nationals win their 5th straight game Wednesday in a hard fought low scoring game. Nationals jump to an early 2-0 lead in the bottom of the third and kept that lead until the seventh when Mike Stanton was credited with a blown save after giving up a single to Randy Winn which scored Todd Greene and Linden to give the Giants 3 total runs (a run was scored in the top of the fourth off of a double by Durham). The score was 3-2 until the bottom of the ninth inning, when Fick came in to lead off (despite the scoreboard mistakes, he was not pinch hitting for Rivera, but had come into the game in the last inning as catcher, this comment will be easier to see after I get the pictures uploaded hopefully tonight). Benetiz came in for the Giants to shut out the Nationals. First batter he walked (Fick), second he struck out (Soriano). Fick on first, 1 out. Lopez singled and Fick moved to second (if I recall correctly, the ball was deflected by a diving player, and the other infielder was not in position to stop the ball). Zimmerman, and his heroics of this past season stepped up to the plate as the fourth batter of the inning. 1 out, Fick on second, Lopez on first. Zimmerman singles, Fick scores and Lopez moves to second base. Whatever happens now, the Nationals are in it, tie-game - 3-3. Benetiz goes 3-2 to Johnson before walking him. Johnson on First, Zimmerman on second, Lopez on third, bases loaded. Kearns up, in a slightly similar position in the 7th (bases loaded, Johnson IBB, 2 out, instead of 1), Kearns popped up for the third out. This occasion? So far in this game, Kearns is 1 for 4 and had left 5 runners on base. Kearns hits the ball to shallow left field, the ball is caught, Lopez tags up and runs home, the throw to the plate, and Lopez is safe at home. Game over, Nationals win 4-3 and win their fifth game in a row.

Pedro Astacio ended up being charged with 2 earned runs and 3 overall runs for his 6.1 innings of work. 1 of those earned runs came in the fourth inning, and the other earned run crossed the plate while Stanton was on the mound. Once again, though, Astacio would not get a W or L. Saul Rivera, the pitcher of record win Lopez crossed the plate, earned his first major league win.

ESPN box score

Some Notes from the Diamond Club seating:
1) On Tuesday I sat in 113 on the first base side of the field. 7 rows back, staring straight at the batter while he is in the batters box. No net. One or two balls flew at my seat, but not while I was there (I could see them from up in the Diamond Club food area behind the right field fence, overlooking the Nationals bullpen). Interesting to be that close and in such a precarious position. Much better seats, though, than the ones I had on Wednesday when I sat in 118 on the third base side of the field (10 rows back). 118 is behind the net, and not enough over to be behind home-plate. 113, despite being further over from home-plate, was a much better seating area than 118, both because of the lack of net (quite distracting) and the angle of the seat (though looking over to the scoreboard in the outfield was a little hard on the neck).

2) The food is free up in the food area behind the Nationals bullpen, and in the seating area (except for certain things like beer/wine). Be aware of this fact, don’t stop and buy a hot dog on the way down to your seat. On the other hand, because of one thing or another (somewhat unexplained), you might have to wait until the third inning to get someone to come by and ask if you want anything (even if you sit there, mostly by yourself, from about 6:30/45 on; that was in 118 (where there was apparently only one server; 113 was much better served and had more servers - oh, and I saw the fellow running around in 118, despite my annoyance at not being asked if I wanted anything until the third inning, I still think he needs a raise - he was constantly in motion getting orders and bringing things to the seats, just not specifically to me). If you have the opportunity and choice, I’d say take the 113 seats, you stare into the batters box, and have a great view of the batter (and no net).

3) Plan to either: a) not get home for 2 to 4 hours after the game, or b) leave early. Why? Well, you, the Diamond Club patron, are way down next to the plate, with many many rows behind you in your area alone (which, of course, was the point of having those seats - being close to the field). Add in the 300 level seats, and you will, not might, but will end up standing for about ten to 15 minutes after the game is over (all activity on field over, fireworks, patting on back, etc., over) waiting for people to move forward. If you parked in the parking lot, getting out will take about 1-3 hours (90% of the 2-4 hour commute time home will be attempting to leave the stadium area). There is a trick to get out of the jammed parking area, the non-moving - except when someone decides to leave your lane and race to another lane parking area. Those that know it, apparently three people judging by the traffic, will not thank me for mentioning it now, so I’ll leave it a mystery. A not particularly well hidden mystery, but still apparently a mystery. Of course the trick depends on where you live. If you live where I live, the trick probably doesn’t really cut down on the number of hours in the car. What it does do, though, is put you in a position to be constantly in motion going at or slightly above the speed limit all the way from the stadium to home (just add - highway speed limit).

Right:

To~~night~~day:
Today’s day game will feature the services of RHP Matt Cain (7-6, 4.67) and RHP Livan Hernandez (7-8, 5.80). Cain has pitched in 19 game this year (and 26 overall), and in those 106 (152.1 career) innings, has given up 11 home-runs (15 career) 52 walks (71 career), and has an era of 4.67 (3.96 career). He has also struck out 90 batters (120 career) and has limited batters to a batting average of .219 (.200 career).

Vidro wants Soriano to stay (“Vidro said recently that if left fielder Alfonso Soriano is traded before the July 31 deadline, it would be a devastating blow to the franchise”; oh, and in that same article: “The Nationals are 7-3 when Robert Fick starts behind the plate”). Soriano not yet traded (and my quick glance around the internet notes no new news (other than a Boswell column about losing particular players which I will get around to reading, hopefully)).

Oh wait, I see something for all those “trade Soriano now for prospects, re-sign him in the off-season” people: Soriano says he won't re-sign with Nationals if they trade him . A headline in the Baltimore Sun (a newspaper with more inside dirt on the Nationals, on this particular issue, than apparently any Washington DC area paper).

"To be honest, it's tough to say I'd come back if they trade me because you know if they trade me I'm going to think that I cannot be good for this team, because they traded me, because they [do] not need me anymore," Soriano said.

But Soriano said he likely would never put on a Nationals uniform again if traded.

"I think so. It depends, but that's what I feel now," said Soriano. "It depends on the situation. I don't want to say that I won't sign with this team, but that is going to be very tough."

Headline somewhat stronger than Soriano’s words.

Oh, and as I noticed yesterday, and then just noticed again the Sun article - Sal Fasano now a Yankee.

President's race

2006-07-26T09:23:00.000-05:00

From reading the various blogs, there has been some small desire to see the "live" "critters", so here they are:

The beginning:

The winner:

Some talking Presidents:

Three of the four stand around posing (Abe's behind them):

Oops, games restarting, need to exit the field (right next to me):

Bye bye Mr. President(s)!

Larger pictures of the above available if you click on them and head over to Flickr.

Oh, and just because this picture is from the first time they appeared, here's another picture:

Don't overlook the blog entry below this one, also from today

Nationals Defeat Barry Bonds 8-6, Jose Vidro Placed on the 15-day DL

2006-07-26T08:48:00.000-05:00

The Game:

In the second game in a row (that I’ve attended), Soriano lead off the Nationals offensive side of the game by being hit by the first pitch thrown by the opposing pitcher. And for the fourth game in a row, I believe, the Nationals chased the starting pitcher early in the game. This time, a starting pitcher, Matt Morris, who was going for his sixth win in a row (in games in which he factored in the decision).

The Line-ups:

Recap:
Bonds:

Soriano is hit by a pitch to lead off the game (first pitch)

, and moves to third on a Lopez single. Lopez then steals second base. First run scores when Zimmerman, third up, grounds out to short, and Soriano runs home. Johnson would then hit a single, which allowed Lopez to score. Kearns is the second and Anderson is the third out. Inning over, score 2-0 in favor of the Nationals.

Durham leads off the top of the second, and is out. Finley walks, Feliz singles, Aflonzo singles. Bases loaded for the pitcher, he hits it over the wall. Since it bounced first, it is a ground rule double – Finley and Feliz score, Alfonzo to third, Morris to second. Game now tied with two runners in scoring position and just 1 out. Winn will pop out for the second out, Vizquel will be walked to load the bases, and Hillenbrand will strike-out.

Nothing of significance happens in the bottom neither of the second nor in the top of the third.

Soriano flies out to lead off the bottom of the third, and Lopez singles to get on base. Zimmerman walks, Lopez to second. Johnson singles, Lopez scores and Zimmerman moves to second. Score now 3-2 in favor of the Nationals. Kearns walks to load the bases. Anderson singles driving in Zimmerman, Johnson

, and moving Kearns to third. Anderson will end up on second base after a throwing error. Church then doubles, scoring Anderson and Kearns. Starting pitcher Matt Morris is then relieved after 2 1/3 innings by Correia. Correia promptly gets two outs and the inning ends. Score: 7-2. The game will continue to be a struggle, but never again will the game be tied, nor ever will the Nationals fall behind the Giants in this game. The Nationals win their fourth game in a row.

ESPN Box score

Photos from the game (from Diamond Club).

Micah Bowie:

Vidro

On July 25, 2006, Jose Vidro was placed on the 15 day DL retroactive to July 18. He has strained his left hamstring. Bernie Castro called up from the minors. Castro has not yet played a game in the majors this year. He has appeared in 24 games in his career, 80 AB, with a career average of .288 with 23 hits in those 80 AB, and 3 of those hits were doubles and 1 was a triple. He has scored 14 runs, and driven in 7 runs (RBI). He has 9 walks to 10 strike-outs and 6 stolen bases to 2 caught stealing. An on-base percentage of .360, and a slugging percentage of .350 round out his offensive stats. AAA New Orleans this year: hitting .284 in 69 games (268 AB) with 36 runs, 5 doubles, 3 triples, 2 home-runs, 25 RBI, 18 walks, 34 strike-outs, 22 SB, 2 CS, .329 OBP, .347 SLG, .676 OPS, 7 DP (fielding, not hit into), 56 games at 2B, 13 games in outfield, 7 errors (not broken down by position).

Tonight:

Lowry (5-6, 4.45 era) vs. Astacio (1-1, 5.75 era)

Soriano:
Bowden talked to 27 of the other teams on Tuesday about the possibility, if any, that the other team might be willing to accept Soriano onto their team.

Guillen out for season (Tommy John Surgery); Soriano - White Sox?; New Owners official; tonight: Barry Bonds and the Giants strive for first place

2006-07-25T09:27:00.000-05:00

<_guillen
Jose Guillen now out for the season (see the Nationals note here), and Bowden denies Soriano trade rumors (which means, of course, that a deal is in place and will be shortly announced, going by past indicators). I guess it will be kind of hard to trade Guillen now, right? And with this being his final year on his current contract, that means that the Nationals will not get anything from the loss of his services come the off-season free agent shuffle. Of course he could re-sign with the Nationals at that point, but the likelihood of that occurring are slim (despite the contract being up, the Tommy John surgery, rehab - out for maybe up to 12 months, will be paid for by the Nationals; a great take on Guillen's as a Nationals player can be found on the Nats320 blog by the people that began that Jose song).
<-Soriano Oh, and that trade denial: "All I can tell you is that we don't have a deal in place with any team at this hour on any player. That's the only comment I'm going to have," Bowden said. Apparently there are reports that Soriano would be traded to the White Sox for a pitcher (Brandon McCarthy (White Sox GM: "I have no intention whatsoever of trading him in any sort of deal. He's very much a part of our future. To answer your question, Brandon is not going anywhere.") and a center-fielder (Josh Fields). On the other hand, ESPN said that the deal was very close to getting completed (“A source told ESPN's Tim Kurkjian that a deal that would send Alfonso Soriano to the White Sox is "extremely close" to happening”). Also: The Tigers have turned down a deal to get Soriano (Soriano to Detroit for RHPs Humberto Sanchez and Jair Jurrjens, plus OF Cameron Maybin), and the Nationals turned down the counteroffer (which is not mentioned). The White Sox, Twins, Tigers, Mariners, Yankees, Angels, and Dodgers are all interested in Soriano, but Bowden is asking for a lot in return and so far the Mariner’s interest has faded, the Yankees are looking elsewhere (plus they don’t exactly have a lot of prospects to dangle in front of the Nationals), the Tigers are moving away from a deal, and the White Sox note that the players it would have to trade are part of its future.

Contract Extension for Soriano - Guillen, apparently, wanted a five year $50 million dollar deal, but the Nationals didn’t want to give him one, instead they offered that deal to Soriano before this season started. Soriano rejected that deal, and now says that he doesn’t want to talk about his contract until after the season (see the “denies” link above; also both Soriano and Stan Kasten are very stubborn people - Soriano wants a no-trade clause, and Kasten has never included a no-trade clause in a contract).

Oh, and the team is now officially owned by someone/thing other than the MLB owners.

Tonight:
<-RFK
Barry Bonds and some other San Francisco Giants will be visiting RFK today, Wednesday and Thursday (a day game).
RHP Matt Morris (“going for his sixth straight win” - no decision last game he pitched, a win, no decision, etc.) will face off against RHP Ramon Ortiz. Morris has pitched in 20 games this year and has a record of 8-7, 4.42 ERA. In his last start on the 19th of July, Morris gave up 3 home-runs in 7 innings pitched, increasing his ERA to 4.42. For the year, Ortiz has appeared in 19 games and has a record of 6-9, 4.73 ERA. While Morris is going for his sixth straight winning decision, Ortiz is trying to avoid his fourth straight loss. The Giants (51-48) are currently 1 game back from first place in the NL West division. The Nationals are 16 games back in the NL East division, and in last place (43-56).

ESPN preview; Nationals.com preview

I know I have Ortiz somewhere, but I can't seem to find him in picture form

Projected starters:
Wednesday: Lowery (5-6, 4.45) vs. Astacio (1-1, 5.75)
<-Astacio Thursday: Cain (7-6, 4.67) vs. Hernandez (7-8, 5.80) <-Hernandez
WashingtonNationals

Section 319: The missing seating section at RFK

2006-07-24T12:42:00.001-05:00

On this, an off day, I decided to mention a little issue that I've had with the stadium seating at RFK. My little issue involves section 319, and the brilliant sign work performed by the RFK staff (a second issue, which I'm going to forgo for now, involves the question: "Why, during the game, especially while the Nationals are at bat, does everyone and their cousin Shirley decide to walk directly in front of section 319 to exit, even if they have to walk from the opposite side of the stadium to walk in front of section 319?"). Right, the 319/318 sign.
Here is a picture of section 319, or a small part of it, as seen from the RFK field:

Notice anything wrong with this picture (other than the giant laundry bag and the balloons)?
That's right, the sign reads 318.
I'm obviously looking at section 318, right? Wrong. Another shot, taken from the upper deck (and blurry):

Notice the 319 written on the wall, the blurry hard to read sign that reads 318, and the sign on the railing on the next section over which also says 318.

Almost every game people wander around in front of section 319 trying to figure out where they are supposed to be sitting. And almost every game a miniature debate leads off the game, as those that hold tickets for section 318 (which is actually a better section) battle holders of section 319 tickets for the right to sit in the section 319 seats.

The signage issue has been a cause for concern since the beginning of this year (though the sign correctly read section 319 last year). Oh and those people that walk in front of section 319 while the Nationals are at bat? The ones apparently in need of some refreshment, or the like? Most of the time they are wearing Nationals hats, or shirts, or socks, or whatever.

Until next time, my faithful reader (which, I believe, consists of myself; turning this into a photoblog didn't pan out, and not continuing the entry style of last year removed the rest of the readers). To no one, except maybe as a reminder to myself: I will not be at the Tuesday-Thursday series games in my normal season seat, and will not attend the game on Tuesday nor on Thursday, but on Wednesday I will be attempting to see what the Diamond Club seats are like. I am quite interested to see what kind of pictures I can get from that short distance from the field (if I recall correctly, 10 rows from the field). Also, am I supposed to be getting free food and parking as a with this Diamond Club ticket?

Before I leave, just for fun, here are the new Nationals:
Kearns at bat:

Kearns in the Field:

Lopez at bat:

Lopez in the field:

And hard to see, but this is Luis Matos at bat:

Nationals Defeat Chicago Cubs 7-6

2006-07-21T23:56:00.000-05:00

Jon Rauch picks up the win and Cordero earns his 15th save of the season. Alex Escobar started in center and drove in the tie and winning runs, but pulled up at first injured. News of the injury will be very interesting to find out.

At the game the US Army Chorus and Herald Trumpets performed:

Washington Nationals Jose Guillen effectively removes himself from trade discussions

2006-07-21T07:43:00.000-05:00

Everyone on the team has been made available for trade discussions, except for Ryan Zimmerman (except sometimes the Washington Nationals forget to include that exception; recently the new (has the old one left yet?) team president mentioned that all players were tradable, without including that exception for Zimmerman)? Eh, maybe not. Guillen joins Jose Vidro (who has been rumored in several trade deals, including with the Mets, but indications are that he is too injured/injury-prone to be acceptable in a trade), on the list of unlikely to be traded Nationals players. Vidro's on that list because of injury problems (though he isn't on the DL), and Guillen is on the untradable list both because he has not hit this season, and because he is now on the DL. As of July 20, 2006 (retroactive to July 18), Jose Guillen has joined the long list of Nationals players on the DL.

With Guillen out, Alex Escobar will likely get his chance to start in center-field, and Austin Kearns will return to his more natural position in right-field. The once crowded outfield now consists of Escobar, Kearns, Alfonso Soriano, and struggling Luis Matos.

Another consideration to keep in mind is that with Guillen now off the tradable list, the likelihood of Soriano being traded has increased. There was a somewhat conceivable scenario that had the Nationals trading Guillen and getting the pitching prospects that they want, and in the meantime, signing Soriano to a long-term contract. Soriano wants to stop moving to various different teams, and he has expressed a mild interest in remaining in Washington DC. Even before the injury, though, this particular scenario was quite unlikely, due to the poor play of Guillen, and his still-in-mind-of the other GM's "attitude problem" in the clubhouse.

The tradable assets of the Nationals keeps decreasing (Guillen - DL, poor play; Vidro - injury prone; Nick Johnson - injury prone; Livan Hernandez - poor play (6-8, 5.87 this year, 116-112, 4.21 career; Tony Armas (28) - injury prone . . ..) Hey, maybe someone would be interested in Zimmerman, Kearns, Felipe Lopez, or Alfonzo Soriano. Wait, the Nationals want to keep the youngsters, right (in answer, see Bray, Majewski)?

Anyone want Daryle Ward? He is a great pinch hitter, he is hitting .316 away from RFK, .288 on Grass, .333 on turf, .321 during the day, and is currently hitting .188 in July (.000 after the all-star break). Oh, and he has only committed 19 errors in 451 games started at 1B, and in the OF. Oh course he also has a slightly better range than a scarecrow. He has been described as a great DH, and the reason for his signing by a National League team was for the games played in American League parks.

Pedro Astacio? Currently 1-1 with an ERA of 6.43 in three games started (on the DL most of the year). Career 125-120 starting pitcher with and ERA of 4.63. Any takers? He is only 36 years-old.

Anyone with a good bullpen that wants an innings eater? Ramon Ortiz (33) might not be the best pitcher around, but he does tend to get to the seventh inning (with some exceptions where he barely gets to the fifth inning). He has a career winning percentage (74-69), and has winning seasons with 13, 15, 16 wins.

The Nationals are a sellers team, but what exactly are they selling? Alfonso Soriano, bench players (Ward, Anderson, Fick, etc.), aged and or poorly playing pitchers, injury prone infielders (and outfielders, see Alex Escobar), youngsters in the majors, and prospects in the minors (and remember, we got Matos by signing him, not claiming him off of waivers - unless the transaction page is wrong, the O's outright released him, so how likely is it that someone would want Matos in a trade?).

(note: those few that see this write-up in more than one place: this also appears on ArmChairGM.com (written and posted there by me)).

Luis Matos joins the Nationals

2006-07-14T13:39:00.000-05:00

A relatively old story (11:25 am EST), but first I noticed it was when I looked at their roster. Luis Matos came from the same hometown as Felipe Lopez, I assume there is not a connection with the pickup and that fact.

The O's released Matos on July 7, 2006, and the Nationals signed the free agent today. Matos played seven seasons with the O's (including 55 games this season), and spent five of them on the DL at some point in those seasons (Matos was on the DL for April of 2006). He is a career .256 hitter in 494 games (1590 AB), with 82 doubles, 9 triples, 30 home-runs, 140 RBI, 597 TB, 72 SB 24 CS .313 OBP and .375 SLG. Matos best season came in 2003 when he played in 109 games and ended up with a batting average of .303 with a .353 OBP and .458 SLG. he hit 23 doubles, 3 triples, 13 home-runs and 45 RBI, while also stealing 15 stolen bases. Matos has appeared in 55 games this season, and has hit a very low .207. In his last ten games, Matos hit .227 with the O's. Matos wore #32 with the O's, but as we all know, Chad Cordero wears #32 on the Nationals.

To make room for the addition, Marlon Byrd has been sent down.

Source: Nationals.com

8 Player trade made

2006-07-13T18:24:00.000-05:00

The "untradable" (as in no one would want him as he is too old, according to the Washington Post in an earlier article) SS Royce Clayton, young Brendan Harris, and young relievers Bill Bray, Gary Majewski, and Daryl Thompson have been traded by the Washington Nationals to the Cincinnati Reds for SS Felipe Lopez (26), currently hitting .268, tied for fourth in the NL for stolen bases with 23, and is second in the NL for home-runs by a short-stop with nine home-runs, outfielder Austin Kearns (26) who is currently hitting .274 with 16 home-runs and 50 RBI, plus RHP Ryan Wagner (23) who will be sent to AAA New Orleans. Reliever Roy Corcoran (26) with his 2.45 ERA, is likely to be called up (or "purchased" - last I checked he was on the 40-man roster) to fill the now vacant roster position. Corcoran has an opposing batting average of .169.

Interesting, I went to look for Ryan Wagner's record on the Minor League website, and it already lists him as being on the New Orleans team. He is coming over from the Louisville Bats with a record of 1-3 in 35 games and with an ERA of 6.34 in 38.1 IP. He has allowed 55 hits, 29 runs, 27 ER, 3 HR, 14 walks and strike-out 28 batters. Not exactly earth-shattering numers, no? The Bats, I now notice, are a AAA club. I'm sure there is a way to look closer at his record, but I can't seem to find it at this time. Now on to the other two players.

CF Austin Kearns (I guess Alex Escobar actually isn't going to get that chance to start, unless they move him to right-field in place of the struggling Jose Guillen, but then they are trying to hope that Guillen improves so that they can trade him - to bad, the often hurt Escobar is doing a great job so far) has a career batting average of .267 in 452 games played in the majors. He made his MLB debut in 2002 in April. He has 71 career home-runs, 263 RBI, 206 walks to 412 strike-outs, .468 SLG and .358 OBP. Kearns is currently hitting .316 vs. lefties and .257 vs. righties - platoon him with Escobar? probably not. He is currently hitting .270 this month. He hit .264 in 82 games in 2003 with the Reds, knocking in 15 HR, 58 RBI, and his OBP was .364. In 2004, Kearns hit .230 in 64 games with the Reds, knocking in 9 HR and 32 RBI. IN 2005, Kearns average inched slightly higher to .240 in 112 games, 387 AB, 18 HR 67 HR. I read something somewhere (one of those sporting newspapers) that batter reach their peak at 27 before sliding (I had previously read an older age for the peak, but times change), and it looks like Kearns might be getting better as he reaches that magically age of 27. He won't turn 27 until next year. Kearns would be a definate improvement for CF based on all the other strugglers that tried to play the position, but then Escobar did just start playing great in that position, so . . . Oh, and fielding - currently sporting a career fielding percentage of .986, .991 for 2006.

SS Felipe Lopez has appeared in four seasons with the Reds in the majors, and 2 seasons with the Blue Jays. He is a career .259 hitter in 505 games and 1843 AB. He has hit 93 doubles, 17 triples, 54 home-runs, 216 RBI, has 56 stolen bases to 26 CS, has an on-base percentage of .329 and a slugging percentage of .416. In terms of age and offense, he seems to be a great improvement over Royce Clayton. Fielding? Lopez is currently sporting a career fielding percentage of .959 vs. Clayton's .974. So, a downgrade in defense (and Clayton is hitting .001 point higher than Lopez, but that doesn't make up for the other great offensive number put out by Lopez).

Interesting to see this occur today. I just read an article in the Washington Post that talked about the GM's prior trades, and how most weren't particularly good. Also how the GM will need to be patient to follow the new owners plans. Then I hear about this trade. Youngsters in for youngters and old Clayton. Two major league relievers out the door, one minor league reliever in. So, I noticed that guy they will probably bring up, Corcoran, has great numbers, but will he make up two relief positions?

I'll let others get more detailed, and also to examine the Reds side of the deal.

First pic: Royce Clayton
2nd: Majewski
3rd: Harris
4th: Bray
5th: Harris
6th: Some of these pitchers have been traded, can you tell which ones?

The All-Virginia Baseball Team

2006-07-12T10:58:00.000-05:00

All-Virginia Team

This is a relatively easy task, right? Just look for the players and manager(s) in the Hall of Fame, and this little task will write itself. Except:

1. No player born in Virginia has had a Hall of Fame career except for pitcher Eppa Rixey, who played from 1912-1933.
2. No player born in Virginia was an All-Star except for OF/DH Willie Horton, OF Jim Lemon, 1B George McQuinn, 2B/SS Tony Womack (harder to double check All-Star, could be one that ended up with a bad record, but had an All-Star year - way too many VA players to check all).
3. No manager born in Virginia, except one who managed just 3 games in the 1800s, has a winning record.

Catcher:
[[Larry Woodall]] - born in Staunton, in 1894. Career .268 batter, played 10 seasons with the Tigers. Fielding percentage: .984.

First-Base:
[[George McQuinn]] - born in Arlington, VA in 1910. Played 1936-1948. [[All-Star]] 1939-1940, 1942, 1944-1945, 1947-1948. Played 12 seasons - 1 with the Reds, 8 with the St. Louis Browns (which became the Baltimore Orioles; AL Champs in 1944), 1 with the Philadelphia Athletics (moved to Oakland through Kansas City), and 2 years with the Yankees (MLB Champs in 1947). Career .276 batter with 315 2B, 64 3B, 135 HR, 794 HR.

Second-Base:
[[Jim Pankovits]] - born in Pennington Gap in 1955. Played 1984-1990 for Houston and Boston. Career .250 hitter - no full seasons in the majors. .961 Fielding percentage at 2B. Weak, I know.

Short-Stop:
[[Tony Womack]] - born in Chatham in 1969. [[All-Star]] - 1997. Currently playing, so far played 12 seasons, with the Pirates, Diamond Backs, Rockies, Cubs, Cardinals, and the Yankees. Career .273 batter with 363 SB.

Third Base:
[[Billy Nash]] - born in Richmond in 1865. At the age of 31, Nash managed and played in 130 games for the 1896 [[Philadelphia Phillies]]. His managing record of 62-68 for a winning percentage of .477 is the best percentage for any manager born in Virginia who has managed at least 4 games. The Phillies finished eighth in the National League with that 62-68 record. Nash played in 15 seasons in the majors, from 1884 (when he was 19) until 1898 (when he was 33), for a total of 1549 games. He ended up with a career batting average of .275 in 5849 at-bats, and had an impressively low 384 strike-outs (compared with 803 walks and 1606 hits). Nash hit 266 doubles, 87 triples, 60 home-runs, 977 RBI, and stole 265 bases. Nash also pitched in 2 games, for a total of 1.3 innings. He gave up 1 hit and 1 walk but zero runs. He had an overall fielding percentage of .896. He played 3B (1464), 2B (43), SS (36), OF (8), and pitcher (2).

[[David Wright]] - born Norfolk, VA in 1982. Plays for the Mets. So far - career average .306 in 316 games. .949 Fielding percentage.

OF:
[[Jim Lemon]] - born 1928 in Covington. [[All-Star]]. Career .262 hitter in 12 seasons (career .961 Fielding percentage). 1950-1963. Ages 22-35. Indians, Senators (the one that became the Twins), Twins, Phillies and White Sox. Lemon also managed the 1968 Washington Senators (the one that became the Texas Rangers) to a 65-96 record and 10th place in the American League.
[[Steve Brodie]] - born in 1868 in Warrenton. Played for the Boston Beaneaters (1890-1891; eventually became the Atlanta Braves through Milwaukee) of the National League, the St. Louis Browns (1892-1893; became the Cardinals in 1900) of the National League, the Baltimore Orioles of the National League (1893-1896, 1898-1899; club existed from 1882-1899), the Pittsburgh Pirates of the National League (1897-1898; started as the Pittsburgh Alleghenys in 1882-1890), the Baltimore Orioles of the American League (1901; later became the New York Yankees), and finally with the New York Giants of the National League (1902; became the San Francisco Giants in 1959; started off as the New York Gothams). Played 12 seasons, 1420 games in the Outfield with an additional 16 at 2B and 2 games at 3B. OF fielding percentage of .959 with 3139 PO, 208 A, 142 E, and 52 double-plays. Offensive numbers: .303 career batter, with 1726 hits in 5699 at-bats, 191 doubles, 89 3B, 25 HR, 900 RBI, 420 BB, just 148 SO, .364 OBP, .381 SLG, 289 SB (either 0 CS or a stat not kept while he played).
[[Paul Hines]] - born in 1852 in Virginia. Played 20 seasons and ended up with a career batting average of .302 with 399 doubles, 93 triples, 57 HR, 855 RBI, and 163 SB (and 11 CS, a stat that apparently was kept from 1872-1875 and at no other time that Hines played). Played with the Washington Nationals (1872; just 1 year in existence; then played on another team that called itself the Washington Nationals 1886-1889 in the National League, it also folded), the Washington Blue Legs (1872, 1 year in existence; both Washington teams played in the National Association), the Chicago White Stockings (became the Chicago Cubs in 1903, oddly enough, played for both the National League and the National Association teams), the Providence Grays (which folded in 1885; National League team), the Indianapolis Hoosiers of the National League (which folded in 1889), the Pittsburgh Alleghenys (Pirates), with the Boston Beaneaters (Braves) and finally with the Washington Statesmen (which became the Washington Senators 1892-1899 of the American Association).

[[Michael Tucker]] born in South Boston, VA in 1971. .257 career hitter.

DH:
[[Willie Horton]] - born in Arno in 1942. [[All-Star]]. OF and DH (mostly OF). 18 seasons with the Tigers, Rangers, Indians, Athletics, Blue Jays, and Mariners (mostly with the Tigers). Career .273 hitter with 284 doubles, 40 triples, 325 HR, 1163 RBI, and 3332 TB. Fielding: .972 in 1190 games as an OF, and 1.000 in 1 game at 3B.

Pitchers:
1. [[Eppa Rixey]] * - born in Culpeper in 1891. Played 1912-1933. Ended up with a Hall of Fame career and a record of 266-251 with an ERA of 3.15 in 692 games (552 GS), with 290 CG, 37 SHO, and 14 saves in 4494.7 innings pitched.
[[Doc Ayers]] - born in Fancy Gap in 1890. Played 1913-1921. Ended up with a record of 65-79 with an ERA of 2.84 in 299 games (140 GS), with 58 CG, 17 SHO, and 15 saves in 1428.7 innings pitched (.7?).
[[Charlie Ferguson]] - born in Charlottesville in 1863. Played 1884-1887 (age 21-24, died in 1888). Ended up with a record of 99-64 and an ERA of 2.67 in 183 games (170 GS), with 165 CG, 13 shut-outs, and four saves in 1514.7 innings pitched. Best year: 30-9 with an ERA of 1.98 in 45 GS. One of those odd things: had the most saves in the league in both 1886 & 1887. How many did he have? 2 in 1886 and 1 in 1887 (of course tied for the most in that year). He also had a career batting average of .288 with 13 triples. He also played OF, 2B and 3B. I’m not sure what happened to him, but he was just starting a great career when he died.
[[Deacon Phillippe]] - born in Rural Retreat in 1872. Played 1899-1911. Ended up with a record of 189-109 with an ERA of 2.59 in 372 games (288 GS), with 242 CG, 27 SHO, and 12 saves in 2607 innings pitched.
[[Ed Willett]] - born in Norfolk in 1884. Played 1906-1915. Ended up with a record of 102-99 with an ERA of 3.08 in 274 games (202 started), with 142 CG, 12 SHO and 5 saves in 1773.3 innings pitched.

And:
[[Bobby Witt]] - who actually played in 1986-2001. Record of 142-157 with an ERA of 4.83 in 430 games (397 GS), 47 CG, 11 SHO, 0 saves in 2465.0 innings pitched.

Manager:
[[Pat Sullivan]] - born in Lewisburg in 1854. At the age of 36, Sullivan managed three games for the 1890 [[Columbus Solons]] 1890 and acquired a record of 2-1 for a winning percentage of .667. That team played in the [[American Association]] and finished the year in second place with a record of 79-55. Sullivan would die six years later in 1896, when Billy Nash, also of Virginia, managed the Philadelphia Phillies.
or
[[Billy Nash]] - born in Richmond in 1865. At the age of 31, Nash managed and played in 130 games for the 1896 [[Philadelphia Phillies]]. His managing record of 62-68 for a winning percentage of .477 is the best percentage for any manager born in Virginia who has managed at least 4 games. The Phillies finished eighth in the National League with that 62-68 record. Nash played in 15 seasons in the majors, from 1884 (when he was 19) until 1898 (when he was 33), for a total of 1549 games. He ended up with a career batting average of .275 in 5849 at-bats, and had an impressively low 384 strike-outs (compared with 803 walks and 1606 hits). Nash hit 266 doubles, 87 triples, 60 home-runs, 977 RBI, and stole 265 bases. Nash also pitched in 2 games, for a total of 1.3 innings. He gave up 1 hit and 1 walk but zero runs. He had an overall fielding percentage of .896. He played 3B (1464), 2B (43), SS (36), OF (8), and pitcher (2).

* = in the Hall of Fame

Soriano - All-Star

2006-07-03T09:40:00.000-05:00

Soriano homers1
Originally uploaded by BigCat.

A day late and all that, but I just noticed that article on Nationals.com about Soriano and his historic All-Star selection. I was slightly confused, I mean it's great an all that he was selected, but historic? Then I clicked on the link and noticed what the title was referencing. Soriano, Stan Musial, Pete Rose, and Robin Yount were all All-Stars in more than one position. That's the list, the complete and unabridged list of players selected to the All-Star team for more than 1 position, according to Bill Ladson. Wasn't Cal Ripken selected as both a SS and a 3B (different years)? Ladson Article. According to Baseball-Reference.com, Ripken was an All-Star each year from 1983-2001. He played SS from 1983-1996 (All-Star years, and 6 games at 3B in 1996 and 3 games at SS in 1997). He then played 3B from 1997-2001 (with some DH work in 2000-2001). So, that Ladson article does not include an exhaustive list of the players selected to the All-Star team in more than 1 position.

Oh, and the Nationals won the Devil Rays series 2-1 and will now host the third place Florida Marlins (35-43) for four games, and then the NL West first place San Diego Padres (42-39) will stop by for three games to finish out the first half of the 2006 baseball season. The Padres will first face the Phillies for three games in Philly. Hopefully the Padres will sweep the Phillies and then get swept by the Nationals. The worst the Nationals can do is end up with a record of 35-55 for the first half of 2006, and the best they can do, now, is end up with a record of 42-48 for the first half. Lose all, win all.

Tonight
Rookie RHP Ricky Nolasco (6-4, 3.26 in 8 GS, 19 total games) will pitch for the Marlins, and Pedro Julio Astacio will make his Nationals debut. He has a career record of 124-119, 4.61 era, in 326 games started. 2106.1 innings pitched, with 2183 hits, 1080 earned runs, 277 home-runs given up, 695 walks, and 1622 strike-outs. In the last three seasons, Pedro has pitched for the Mets, Red Sox, Rangers, and the Padres. In that three year stretch, he amassed a record of 9-12 in 30 games started.
According to the probable pitchers information provided on Nationals.com, Pedro is taking the place of Shawn Hill in today's start. Hill was placed on the 15-day DL on 7/1/06, and Pedro was activated from the 60-Day DL. Meanwhile, RHP Santiago Ramirez was released.

July 4th:
Likely: LHP Scott Olsen (6-4, 4.26) against RHP John Patterson (1-2, 4.41).
Olsen had 3 good, low-era, starts in April (2.12 April ERA), raised his ERA to a height of 6.64 in 6 starts in May (before lowering it to 5.83; in May, his ERA was 7.98), and gave up only 8 earned runs in June to lower his ERA to 4.26 (2.12 ERA in June). This is Olsen's first start in July. Will his July be like April and June, or like May?

Wednesday
TBA vs. Michael O'Connor (3-5, 3.77)
After a rocky start in his last appearance, O'Connor has something to prove on Wednesday.

Thursday:
LHP Dontrelle Willis (5-7, 3.96) vs. Livan Hernandez (6-8, 5.46)
Willis' first win this season came off of a Nationals loss, and has recently improved his performance.

Friday:
RHP Woody Williams (3-1, 3.04) vs. Ramon Ortiz (6-6, 4.90)
This will be Williams second start after coming off of the DL. His last start before the DL stint occurred on May 12th. Since then he pitched on July 1st. He pitched six solid innings, giving up just 1 run off of 8 hits and 1 home-run, and struck-out 4.

Nationals currently losing today's day game

2006-06-15T12:52:00.000-05:00

Livan Hernandez
Originally uploaded by BigCat.

Hernandez faces off against the Rockies Jason Jennings. Hernandez made it through 1 inning without giving up any runs, but gave up two in the top of the second inning. The Nationals batters are currently batting in the bottom of the second inning. Oops, didn't write quickly enough, batting with three outs? Inning over. Well, Hernandez will be up again to pitch in the top of the third inning when the game resumes.

Meanwhile: The picture is Hernandez pitching, but it is from the May 26th game. First pitch of that game, actually. I'm stuck at work, so I can't get a picture from today's game.

Let's see, other news . . .
Here's one:
"Patterson's return delayed": Patterson hoped to be pitching in the majors against the Yankees on Saturday, but will instead have one more rehab start on Saturday, with the single A Potomac club.

I don't see any other news I can quickly gather and relay, so I'll go back to studying the gamecast of the game.

Remember when the Nationals used to win?

2006-06-15T12:41:00.000-05:00

Game 4: Phillies lose to the Nationals 6-0 part 2
Originally uploaded by BigCat.

Here is a mosaic (actually the second one) made up of some of the pictures that can be found in my Phillies game four photo set. The last game the Nationals won. And it was a shut-out pitched by Hill.

Forgot to post this particular photo set before . . .

2006-06-15T12:39:00.000-05:00

Game 3: Phillies win
Originally uploaded by BigCat.

For some reason, I forgot to blog about this particular photo set (maybe because the Nationals lost?). Follow the link to Flickr to see my photo set for the third game in the Phillies visit, which the Nationals lost on Saturday.

Philies vs. Nationals: Game 1: Nationals win 5-2

2006-06-09T12:28:00.000-05:00

Philies vs. Nationals: Game 1: Nationals win 5-2
Originally uploaded by BigCat.

Here is a collection of some, and only some of the photos I took while at the June 8th game (the rest are not on the internet).

Nationals Win, O'Connor picks up his third win, Cordero records 12th save . . .

2006-06-09T10:17:00.000-05:00

O'Connor pitching
Originally uploaded by BigCat.

Nationals win 5-2. Michael "Mike" O'Connor picks up his third win of the year and moves his record to 3-3. Saul Rivera pitched the seventh, Mike Stanton pitched the 8th and Chad Cordero picked up his 12th save after pitching the Ninth inning. The Nationals are now 28-33 and closing in on the third place Atlanta Braves. The Braves lost last night to the Houston Astros, dropping their record to 29-32. The Braves have a record of 2 and 8 in their last 10 games (lost their last 2 game), while the Nationals are 7-3 in their last 10 games (current streak: 2 wins).

According the press guide: the Nationals had the best record in baseball over a certain period (14-6, over the last 20 games?, oh I see, over the last three weeks). They are now 15-6 after last nights win.

Tony Armas will battle Brett Myers tonight. Myers is 4-2 with an ERA of 2.90. Myers has started one game in June, a no decision (gave up 3 earned runs in 6.2 innings, an era of 4.05 for June). Tony Armas is currently 6-3, with an era of 3.34. Armas tends to do better on the road, but has done better of late at RFK (better compared to past performance at RFK). Armas has also pitched 1 game in June, a win against the Brewers on June 4th that saw Armas pitch 6 innings, strike out 4 and give up zero runs.

Livan Hernandez (5-5, 5.16) is currently scheduled to pitch during the day on Saturday (a big game for me with relatives arriving). Hernandez is expected to face RHP Cory Lidle (4-5, 4.83 era).

On Sunday, another day game, RHP Shawn Hill is scheduled to his third start of 2006 (or his 6th overall major league start). Hill will likely face LHP Cole Hamels, currently 1-0 with an era of 2.65. Hamels has started three games in the major leagues, all in 2006. He lasted 5 innings in his first start on May 12th against the Reds, and gave up zero runs (while striking out 7, walking 5 and giving up 1 hit). His second start occurred on May 18th, against the Brewers. He lasted 6.1 innings in that game and gave up 4 earned runs off of 5 hits and 4 walks, while striking out 5. Hamels third start occurred on June 6th against the Diamondbacks. He lasted 5.2 innings, giving up 1 earned run off of 3 hits and 2 walks (and striking out 2 batters). Opponents are hitting .000 (lefties) or .237 (righties). Hamels has a 5.68 era during the day (and Sunday is a day game), while having a much lower 0.84 era for night games. He has only started on the road, and on grass.

Washington wins 10-4, currently tied 1-1 in Saturday's game

2006-05-27T14:27:00.000-05:00

Washington Monument and Capitol
Originally uploaded by BigCat.

Livan Hernandez and teammates beat Brett Tomko (who entered the game with a record of 5-1) and the previously 27-20 Los Angeles Dodgers to bring their streak of games won to 4 (after picking up 2 wins off of the visiting O's).

A series of photographs following Friday's game (and Thursday's win) can be found on Flickr.com.

The picture accompanying this blog entry is taken from RFK and shows, in the distance, the Washington Monument and the top of the US Capitol building.

Rivera makes debut

2006-05-25T18:09:00.000-05:00

Rivera makes debut
Originally uploaded by BigCat.

Nationals win 8-5 and the game is "chronicled" through many pictures (tested new camera) that can be found at Flickr.com.

Saul Rivera makes his major league debut (I believe) and pitches 0.2 innings, picks up a hold, strikes out one batter, walks one batter and leaves with a zero ERA.

This "Blog this photo" is a test, so this will be a short blog entry.

Week in Review, and O’s vs. Nationals starts tonight

2006-05-19T09:04:00.000-05:00

Monday:
Off Day

Tuesday:
Shutout by Cubs, Lose 0-4.
Livan Hernandez actually made it past the first inning without giving up three runs, and actually made it through a game without being charged with three earned runs (2 ER, 2 Unearned Runs). Unfortunately, despite past games when the Nationals would score in the top of the inning only to see Livan give the game away in the bottom of the first inning, this time the Nationals were only able to get 4 total hits all game, and were not able to score a run against Zambrano & Dempster (starter and relief pitcher for the Cubs). Hernandez pitched 7 quality innings and lowered his era to 6.04, but increased his number of losses for the season to 5 to put his record at 1-5. Vidro, Johnson and Gonzalez (who was hitting .417 after this game) got one hit each. Clayton and Anderson (PH) got one walk each. And that was the extent of the Nationals offensive powerhouse in operation. Errors: 1 for Soriano (now has 5), and 1 for Clayton (who also now has 5).

Nationals.com recap. ESPN recap.

Wednesday:
Shutout by Cubs, Lose 0-5.
The problem of using a catcher like Gonzalez is that he is a much better offensive catcher than . . . right I can’t keep that up. Gonzalez was brought up to put his stronger arm behind the plate, and supposedly provide some defensive ability, not offensive ability. Point? Zach Day and Wiki Gonzalez struggled to communicate early in the game and together they ended up giving up 3 earned runs in the first 2 innings (and 1 more unearned run; Gonzalez went 0-3 and his batting average lowered to .333). Day’s day (sorry) ended after 4 innings pitched (specifically, after facing 23 batters and throwing 84 pitches). Day’s era increased from 5.85 to 5.94.

Soriano went 1 for 4 with zero walks. The Cubs pitchers also gave walks to Byrd, Johnson, Zimmerman, and Jackson (playing SS). That was the extent of the Nationals offensive abilities in this game. Also: Zimmerman was charged with his fourth error and Jackson was charged with his second.

Nationals.com recap. ESPN recap.

Thursday:
Nationals Win 5-3.
I was in the middle of writing a “game in progress” blog entry when I lost access to the internet. Here’s what had been written and then what happened in the game after that point:

After being shutout twice and on the verge of being swept by the Cubs, the Nationals have finally scored some runs in this the third game of the Cubs series in Chicago. The annoying thing is that I didn't even realize that this was a day game until a couple of seconds ago. The good thing is that the Nationals are leading the Cubs 4-0. Let's try to figure out what has happened so far (currently fifth inning).

Let's see, Ramon Ortiz and his 0-4 record (and 6.30 era) is currently taking on the Cubs Kerry Wood first or second start (hard to tell, I can't get his stats page to open, and ESPN has him down for 1 start going 1.2 innings pitched an a 0.00 era, but the Nats page have him down as 0-0 with an era of 9.00). Ortiz has now pitched 4.2 innings in this game and has given up just 3 hits and no walks, while striking out 3 batters and keeping those three base-runners from scoring. His era has fallen from 6.30 down to 5.64 in those 4.2 innings pitched.

Now, the runs: um, I'm fairly sure that some home-runs are involved, but the internet just stopped working and I have no way to get this posted, so . . .

Right, so Ortiz pitched a total of 5.1 innings and picked up his first win of the season, giving him a record of 1-4. Jackson was charged with another error, and Anderson was caught stealing. Gonzalez’s batting average lowered to .263 after going 0-4 in the game.

Zimmerman (7th total homerun; 0 on, 1 out; 2nd inning), Jackson (2nd, 1 on, 2 out; 2nd inning), Soriano (13th; 0 on 0 out, 3rd inning), and Anderson (1st; 0 on 0 out, 6th inning) all hit home-runs in the game.

Nationals.com recap & ESPN.com boxscore.

Friday-Sunday: O’s vs. Nationals:
Michael O’Connor is scheduled to start tonight in the first ever regular season O’s/Nationals game. He will face 5-3, 4.38 era Kris Benson. Benson has started 8 games, 4 on the road. Half of Benson’s starts made it through seven innings, and 1 additional game made it into the seventh inning (6.2 IP). In 31.1 March/April innings pitched so far this season, Benson has given up 29 hits, 3 home-runs, and 11 walks. In those 31.1 innings, Benson also struck-out 17 batters off of 480 total pitches (278 strikes). In May Benson’s pitching has started to slip and in 18 innings, he has given up 18 hits, 2 home-runs, and seven walks (and 12 ER), while striking out 8 batters off of 301 pitches (175 strikes).

As a team, the O’s are currently 19-22 and are currently 5-5 in their last ten games. They are 5-10 on the road and, overall, have scored 210 runs and given up 242 runs. Both teams enter this series off of a win in their last game played, and lost their series 1-2 (O’s against the Red Sox and Nationals against the Cubs). The O’s had Thursday off.

Brian Roberts, Daniel Cabrera, Chris Gomez, Luis Matos, Tim Byrdak, David Newhan, John Parrish, and Aaron Rakers are currently on the O’s DL.

Batting Order/Roster:
1. Brandon Fahey (.298; 10 games leading off) & Ed Rogers (.200; 1 game leading off) split the duties at the top of the batting order and at 2B (at least they did in the last two games played). Patterson (.289; CF) & Terrero (.000; CF) have both lead-off in two games. Everyone else that has lead off are currently on the DL (Roberts, Newhan, Matos, and Gomez).

2. Melvin Mora (.363; 3B, 18 games in this spot); Conine (.318; 1B; 5 games); Markakis (.296; LF/CF/RF; 4 games)

3. Mora (.363; 3B, 21 games in this spot); Miguel Tejada (.395; SS; 19 games)

4. Tejada (.395; SS; 21 games); Jay Gibbons (.310; RF; 19)

5. Gibbons (.310; RF; 20 games); Ramon Hernandez (.377; C; 18 games); Kevin Millar (.339; 1B (listed as DH); 1 game); Conine (.318; 1B; 1 game)

6. Hernandez (.377; C; 13 games); Conine (.318; 1B; 12 games); Millar (.339; 1B; 8 games); Javy Lopez (.319; C/DH; 5 games); Patterson (.289; CF; 2 games)

7. Lopez (.319; C/DH; 11 games); Millar (.339; 1B; 11 games); Patterson (.289; CF; 10 games); Conine (.318; 1B; 4 games); Markakis (.296; LF/CF/RF; 2 games); Hernandez (.377; C; 1 game)

8. Conine (.318; 1B; 10 games); Millar (.339; 1B; 9 games); Lopez (.319; C/DH; 7 games); Markakis (.296; LF/CF/RF; 3 games); Patterson (.289; CF; 3 games); Hernandez (.377; C; 2 game)

9. Probably pitcher

Probables for Saturday and Sunday:
Saturday:
RHP Ace Rodrigo Lopez (1-6, 7.86) vs. RHP Tony Armas (4-2, 3.02)

Lopez’s last win was 4/3/06 (last loss: 5/15/06)

Sunday:
LHP 5th starter Bruce Chen (0-4; 8.23) vs. RHP Livan Hernandez (1-5; 6.04)

Chen’s last win was 10/2/05 (last loss: 4/23/06)

In the Bullpen for the O’s:

RHP Chris Ray (CL) 1-0, 2.76, 17 G, 10 saves, 16.1 IP 10 H 5 ER 1 HR 10 BB 18 SO (0 BS)
RHP Todd Williams 1-1, 3.86, 10 G, 1 save, 11.2 IP 15 H 5 ER 1 HR 3 BB 4 SO (1 BS)
RHP LaTroy Hawkins 1-1, 4.42, 19 G, 18.1 IP 20 H 9 ER 2 HR 6 BB 10 SO (2 BS)
LHP John Halama 2-1, 5.09, 13 G, 17.2 IP, 23 H 10 ER 5 HR 8 BB 7 SO (1 BS)
RHP Sendy Rleal 0-1, 3.79, 18 G, 19 IP, 20 H 8 ER 4 HR 11 BB 8 SO (1 BS)
LHP Kurt Birkins 0-0, 1.13, 5 G, 8 IP, 3 H 1 ER 0 HR 6 BB 6 SO (0 BS)
RHP Julio Manon 0-0, 2.25, 8 G, 8 IP, 6 H 2 ER 1 HR 8 BB 11 SO (1 BS)
RHP Chris Britton 0-0, 4.05, 5 G, 6.2 IP, 6 H 3 ER 0 HR 2 BB 6 SO (0 BS)

Current Game in Progress: Great inning by Nationals after error by Braves 1B

2006-05-14T13:51:00.000-05:00

Tony Armas started the game for the Nationals (and still pitching) and Thomson started for the Braves. Both pitchers make it to 5 innings pitched, but Peter Moylan replaces Thomson for the start of the sixth inning. In five innings of work (not that he has been pulled yet), Armas has given up zero runs off of 3 hit and 1 walk (with 5 strike-outs; current era 3.16. Thomson went 5 innings and gave up just 1 earned run, but an additional 4 runs scored unearned. As mentioned Moylan replaced Thomson to start the sixth inning and lasted just 1 out and faced Gonzalez (single, he is now 3 for 3 in his return to the majors), Clayton (double, Gonzalez to 3rd), gets Armas to strike out, Soriano (single, Gonzalez and Clayton score and Soriano moves to 2nd during throw), and then walks Vidro before being pulled for McBride. Johnson then singled and Soriano scores. Vidro moved to second. There are now two outs in the sixth inning, but I don't see what that second out was.

Right: Nationals scored first in the top of the third inning off of a leadoff home run by Soriano (his 12th overall home-run). The Nationals scored their second run of the game off of a double by Guillen which knocked in Vidro and moved Johnson to third (this didn't count as an earned run, because, with two out, Johnson tied LaRoche to first base (tie goes to the runner; LaRoche got an error counted against him because he just jogged back to the back). Church then singled which scored Johnson and Guillen. Zimmerman then singled allowing Church to score. The Braves finally got a third out in the fifth but didn't keep the Nationals off the board in the sixth. Soriano singled and Gonzalez & Clayton score. At the end of 5: Nationals 5-0; at the end of the top of the sixth inning: Nationals 8-0.

Oh, and Gonzalez: The Reds, Pirates and Braves seemed to steal bases without any negative consequence, so the Nationals purchased the contract of Wiki Gonzalez to serve as the catcher until Schneider comes off of the DL (he went on the DL on 5/13/06 due to a sore left hamstring, Flick activated, and room made on 40-man roster for Gonzalez by moving Guzman, out for the year, to the 60-day DL). Gonzalez has a much better percentage of throwing out runners. Point? Gonzalez threw out Francoeur trying to steal second. He is currently hitting 3 for 4 in this game (not particularly easy to write a blog entry like this with the game still in progress, can't write fast enough).

So: I'll end here:
Score: Nationals 8, Braves 0
Inning: 7th
Batting: Nationals
Outs: 2
Base-runners: Clayton
At Bat: Armas
On-Deck: Soriano
Attendance just announced: 31,062

Week in Review: Patterson (as late as June 1st?), Guzman (Out), Nationals lose 5-4 in 11, giving up 4-1 lead

2006-05-12T12:23:00.000-05:00

So, what's happened in the last week?

1) Story about Patterson:
Apparently Patterson could be pitching right now if the team was in a pennant race, according to Bowden, but because they aren't and because it would probably be better for all involved if Patterson waited until he could actually pitch without pain, then he likely won't be back until as late as June 1st (considering Guzman was supposed to be back by now, you know how never say something like "back at the latest . . ."). Patterson article.

2) Guzman's season is over, back by 2007?:
Before testing his shoulder in front of Robinson and Bowden, Guzman decided on having season-ending surgery. Apparently, he might be good to go by April 2007. Guzman article.

3) The games:
Since we last met, the Nationals have played 5 games (off Monday), and are scheduled to start a series tonight against the 15-19 Braves team. In those five games the Nationals won two and lost three games, to end up with a record on May 12, 2006 of 12-23. Except for the Tuesday 7-1 win against the Reds, most of the games were relatively close, within 3 runs (three games were 1 run games).

Saturday's game: Loss
Ortiz managed just five innings and gave up 4 runs. As the Nationals were able to score 4 runs, that would seem to indicate that they should have a good chance to win that one. While they were able to take a 4-1 lead into the top of the third inning, that 3 run edge was the closest the team came to winning. The Pirates picked up another two runs in the top of the third, then another run in the top of the fourth to tie the game. The Nationals were not able to get another run, and the Pirates won in the 11th inning by scoring a run off of Felix Rodriguez.
Player of the Game: Soriano with a home-run and 2 RBI (4 total bases) for the losers and Bay for the winners (1 home-run, 2 RBI, and an another actual hit).
Dog of the game: Oritz for giving up 4 runs in 5 innings? Rodriquez for giving up 1 run in the 11th and allowing the Pirates to win? No one scored because of Zimmerman's error, so he isn't it.

Sunday: Win
O'Connor pitched his third major league start and gave up three runs in five innings, and giving up more walks than strike-outs (4 walks, 3 strike-outs). The Nationals picked up five runs in the third (their only runs), so when O'Connor left after throwing 95 pitches to 26 batters, he was the pitcher of record. The relief pitchers held the Pirates to just one additional run, and O'Connor picked up his second win of the season. He is now 2-1 with an era of 2.12.
Player of the Game: Guillen and his 2 hits (1 HR) and 2 RBI.
Dog of the Game: in a win? If I have to pick someone in such a situation, Anderson for getting caught trying to steal in the 6th.

Monday: Day off

Tueday's game: Win:
Tony Armas pitched six solid innings, giving up just one run on 2 hits and 1 walk, while striking out 4 to lead the Nationals to a 7-1 win over the Reds. The Nationals managed to get 14 hits to the Reds 4.
Player of the Game: Tony Armas (Guillen (2 home-runs, 3 RBI (2 with 2-out)) would get the nod if the Nationals had another pitcher that could last more than 5 innings (see last night's game)).
Dog of the Game: in a 7-1 win?

Wednesday's Game: Loss
Hernandez yet again got in trouble early, and yet again started to get a handle on the batters later. The Nationals gave Hernandez a 2 run cushion before he threw his first pitch against the Reds. What did he do in return? Gave up three runs. The Nationals batters immediately scored one more run in the top of the second inning to tie the game, but Hernandez promptly rejected their help by giving up another run to the Reds at the bottom of the second. After two innings, Reds 4, Nationals 3. Hernandez gave up one more run before getting pulled (after 112 pitches to 29 batters) after one out in the sixth. In the meantime the Nationals had scored a run in the top of the fifth, putting the game into a 1 run advantage for the Reds (5-4) after Hernandez left. By the time the game ended, the Nationals will have scored two more runs and given up four more runs. Final score: 6-9. Reds win, Nationals lose.
Player of the Game: Johnson (4 for 5 with 2 doubles and 1 home-run, driving in 2)
Dog of the game: Hernandez or Stanton (for giving up 3 runs with the game tied in the 8th inning).

Thursday's Game: Loss:
Zach Day faced off against the Reds Bronson Arroyo and his 5-1 record. For eight innings the two pitchers pitched a 1-run duel, with Day giving up that 1 run in the fifth and with Arroyo giving up nothing in his eight innings of work (except for six hits and 1 walk). Arroyo's innings and strike-out total matched up in this game, 8 innings pitched, 8 strike-outs. Day's innings and hits given up matched up in this game, 7 innings pitched, 7 hits given up (plus 1 walk, and 3 strike-outs). Day again lowered his era, this time down to 5.85 and now sees an era of 2.37 with the Nationals this season. This was a 1-run pitchers game through 8, so why did the game end up a 5-4 win for the Reds? Because both teams had relief pitchers give up runs, Weathers giving up 1 run in the top of the ninth in a blown save (his third of the year) that allowed the Nationals to continue the game. That one run, a home-run by Johnson, would not be the Nationals only run of the game. The Nationals batters turned over a 4-1 lead after the top of the 11th inning to their relief pitchers, but while Rauch was able to get 1 out (12 pitches to 2 batters), he also gave up 1 run to then leave with the game 4-2. Rodriquez replaced Rauch and promptly allowed two runners to get-aboard off of 1 hit and 1 walk on 16 pitches to just 2 batters. With the score still 4-2, Eischen, and his 9+ era replaced Rodriquez and his above 5 era (after the game, Rodriquez's era moved up to 6.52). The game lasted a total of three hours and thirty one minutes. How much of that time did it take Eischen to lose the game? He pitched 2 pitches (both strikes) to 1 batter. Eischen gave up a three run home-run to Griffey for a Reds victory (and a reminder to self that just because a pitcher gets a run counted against him doesn't mean that he was pitching at the time). I don't see a play-by-play on the Nationals website, so I assume that Rauch gave up 1 run, then Rodriquez put two runners on base, who then scored when Griffey hit his home-run. Two of those runners counted against Rodriquez and 1 counted against Eischen.
Player of the game: Zach Day
Dog of the day: Joey Eischen and his blown save.

Tonight: 0-3 Ramon Ortiz (5.88 era) against 2-2 John Smoltz and his 3.72 era. Game preview.

The Nationals have the chance to remain in fourth place if they sweep the Braves. After those three games both teams would have 15 wins, but the Braves would have 1 less loss (15-22 vs. 15-23). If, instead, the Braves sweep the Nationals and the Phillies win their next three games, then the Nationals and Phillies will be tied at 12-23 (and in last place). The Philies will be trying to sweep the first-place Reds in Cincinnati.

Nats Lose (Thursday), then Win (Friday)

2006-05-05T22:06:00.000-05:00

Quick update: Thursday's game was long and filled with frustration for Hernandez as the tight strike zone that was being enforced took Hernandez off of his game. For the Marlins this was one great series, eh? They finally won their first road series sweep, and finished it off with a 11-3 pounding of the Nationals.

Friday's game was a much more exiciting game all around (except for the Pirates), as Zach Day put together a great seven inning shut-out effort, and in the meantime lowered his ERA to 7.11 from something like 10.65 (says something when an ERA of 7.11 is the lower era after a shutout performance). The bullpen held up the shutout and the Nationals are now 10-20 and in third place.

Other hightlights (other than the great pitching) came from Nick Johnson, who ended up going 2 for 2, both hits being home-runs and ended up 4 RBIs. Vidro went 3 for 4, and Byrd really helped by getting on base twice on walks. Oh, and for those wondering where Church went off too, he's still with the team and came in to run for Marlon Anderson after Anderson was hit on the toe (looked like) in his pinch-hit at-bat for Day. Read the wrap up on the Nationals page.

The Nationals have now won 2 games at RFK this season, and on a personal note, I'm now 2-2 at RFK.

Friday Night: Also somewhat on a personal note, unfortunately past indications were wrong and O'Connor will not pitch Saturday night, instead Ramon Ortiz (0-3, 5.55) will face off against Victor Santos (1-4, 5.06).

Also on a personal note, this blog entry was written while listening to a interesting Celtic Fusion band Peatbog Faeries. Listen for yourself at their MySpace.com page (4 songs available to listen to). Just remember that it's Celtic music, and that their will be lots of instrumentals.