Gnomes Are Taking Over Nats Park

Well it is happening. What our ancestors have predicted thousands of years ago. Gnomes are taking over Washington DC! SAVE US ALL!!!!!!

After a huge Jayson Werth Garden Gnome giveaway, gnomes have been growing by the day at Nats Park. Fans are dressing up, wearing beards, wearing gnome hats (this guy even had Jayson Werth tug on his gnome beard). Pretty soon the entire ballpark will be overrun.

Were-Werth Attends Game, Gets Told To Remove Mask

A few Nationals fans were dressed up as werewolfs on Tuesday night at Nats Park and were caught on camera. Well it turns out these guys, one dressed in full werewolf outfit with a mask AND a Jayson Werth beard, had a run in with stadium security. Wow they look sort of scary in the following pics:

Doug Fister Is Not Coming Out Of This Game Matt Williams

On Monday night during the Nats win over the Braves, we saw Matt Williams do something that I don't think we've seen from him the entire year. With starter Doug Fister in somewhat of a jam in the 7th inning with 2 outs and runners on 1st and 2nd (and a 1 run lead), Williams walked out to the mound. As the fans saw this happening they began to give Fister a standing ovation (and this NSFW sign) for his great performance. Then, all of a sudden, after a word or 2 with Fister, Matt Williams turned right back around and into the dugout with Fister remaining on the mound. Here's what that very brief meeting on the mound looked like.

Fister? I Hardly Even Know Her Sign Makes TV Broadcast

This cleverly disgusting sign was featured for a few seconds on screen during an emotional standing ovation for Nats starter Doug Fister after Matt Williams went out to the mound but then ended up letting Fister stay in to get the 3rd out and end the inning.  The TV cameras picked up lots of great reactions, they also got the sign that says "Fis Her? I Hardly Even Know Her". It was very subtle on TV, but hey, we all have a pause button these days. Here's the full image shown on TV.

Haren Plus Untuck Equals Win

Nationals 3, Braves 1

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9		R	H	E
Nationals	1	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0		3	8	0
Braves	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0		1	5	1

Dan Haren came out of nowhere to shut down the Braves as Washington defeated Atlanta 3-1 on Thursday night.  Haren gave up just 4 hits in 8 innings of work as the Nats rotation is on a roll.  As Soriano closed out the game and salvaged the series (2-2) with the Braves everyone untucked their shirts.  From Soriano, to the fans, to Ian Desmond, to even FP Santangelo, shirts out!

Zimermann Is The Mann

Nationals 2, Braves 0

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9		R	H	E
Nationals	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0		2	3	0
Braves	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0		0	2	0

Ok, we are joking...sort of, but Jordan is en fuego.

A little over 2 weeks ago, Jordan Zimmermann pitched just his 2nd complete game of his career.  It was the first one where he picked up a win.  Then, just 5 days ago, Zimmermann pitched another complete game, this one a 1-hit shutout gem.  So on Wednesday night as Jordan completed the 8th inning, his 5th straight 1-2-3 inning (17 batters in a row) with only 2 hits up on the Braves scoreboard, fans were wondering if Davey would send Zim out to finish the job.

Walks And Baserunning Hurt Nats In Loss, Strasburg's Arm In Question

Nationals 2, Braves 3

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9		R	H	E
Nationals	0	2	0	2	0	0	0	0	0		2	10	0
Braves	1	0	0	1	0	0	1	0	0		3	7	0

The Washington Nationals lost to the Atlanta Braves in the first of a four game series 3-2 on Monday night in Atlanta.  Walks by both the starter and the bullpen and a few baserunning mistakes were the downfall of the Nats.  Mistakes seems to be the ongoing trend for the Nats this season as they fall back down to .500.

Natitude Vs Gattitude, Braves vs Nats Series Preview

 
Pitching Matchups, Times, & TV Listings 

• Monday, April 29th, 7:10PM - Stephen Strasburg v. Julio Teheran (MASN HD - ESPN out of town)
• Tuesday, April 30th, 7:10PM - Gio Gonzalez v. Tim Hudson (MASN HD)
• Wednesday, May 1st, 7:10PM - Jordan Zimmermann v. Paul Maholm (MASN HD)
• Thursday, May 2nd, 7:10PM - Dan Haren v. Kris Medlen (MASN HD)

 

After impressively winning 3 in a 4-game series with the Cincinnati Reds at home, the Nationals now head to Atlanta for another 4-game series, this one with their division rivals.  The Nationals were swept earlier this season by the Braves and will be looking to cut down the distance in the division race.  Expect a lot of Natitude and not so much Gattitude. A huge game and a huge series preview.

Atlanta Braves Mock Natitude Slogan In Advertisements, Create Gattitude

The Atlanta Braves are trying to sell tickets to their upcoming home series against the Washington Nationals.  Instead of coming up with an original idea, they have decided to poke fun at the Nats ridiculous, but somehow catchy "Natitude" slogan.  Let's see what clever slogan the Braves developed.

Gio Gonzalez Struggles, Braves Sweep Nats, Doh!

Braves 9, Nationals 0

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9		R	H	E
Braves	3	0	4	0	0	2	0	0	0		9	12	0
Nationals	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0		0	4	2

Read the full box score at MLB

It may be early in the season but the Atlanta Braves just laid an ass-whooping on the Washington Nationals.  The Nats could only manage 4 hits for the 2nd straight day, and were shutout by the Atlanta Braves 9-0 giving them the series victory on a sweep.  Gio Gonzalez had his worst outing of the season and the offense made Braves starter Paul Maholm look like Nolan Ryan. (Although Maholm hasn't given up a single run all season!)

ZimmE5rman Errs, Harper Throws, Nats Lose

Braves 3, Nationals 1

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9		R	H	E
Braves	0	0	2	0	0	0	0	0	1		3	8	1
Nationals	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0		1	4	1

Read the full box score at MLB

For the second straight day a Ryan Zimmerman throwing error proved costly.  In the 3rd inning, the Nats third baseman made a bad throw to first base with 2 outs, giving the Braves an opportunity to knock out a costly 2 run homer in a 3-1 victory on Saturday afternoon at Nats Park.   It was another tough loss for the Nationals coming off a blown 9th inning just one day ago sending 42,000 people home with frowns with just a Gio Gonzalez bobblehead to comfort them.

2012 Memories: Bryce Harper Breaks Bats

Broken Bats Everywhere

If it ain't about the money Puff I just don't care...

Bryce Harper showed his anger issues throughout the 2012 season.  From giving himself stitches early in the season to tossing helmets, Harper had quite the fiery attitude.  One of the ways Bryce liked to express his frustration with himself was by breaking baseball bats like they were toothpicks.

There were at least three incidents during the 2012 season where bats didn't just "die a hero" as FP Santangelo would say, but instead died a victim of rage. (GIFs at the bottom)

Broken Bat #1:  July 16th vs the Miami Marlins

The first bat breaking event took place just one day after Ozzie Guillen screamed at Bryce Harper for an incident involving pine tar and bat pointing.  After lining out following a hard fought at bat, Harper was visually angry.  The cameras caught him walking into the dugout where the rookie proceeded to break his bat over his knee Bo Jackson style.


Broken Bat #2:  August 5th vs the Miami Marlins

The second incident happened in a place a little more visible than the shadows of the dugout.  This time Harper broke his bat by slamming it on home plate in the batter's box after striking out.  Bryce later apologized to the catcher, John Buck, who was in the vicinity where the chunks of shattered bat that were flying everywhere.

Braves Freeze, Nats Win

Nationals 5, Braves 4

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13		R	H	E
Braves	1	0	0	1	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0		4	12	1
Nationals	4	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1		5	12	0

Read the full box score at MLB

It took 13 innings to do it, but the Nationals cashed in on an error (may be called a single by now) by Dan Uggla to defeat the Braves and go up 6 games in the division.  With runners on 1st and 3rd with 0 outs, Chad Tracy hit a grounder to 2nd, but Uggla froze up and dropped the ball and the Nats went on to win as ice water poured over Chad Tracy's head.

The Nats came out strong in the first inning with a few RBI hits capped off with an Ian Desmond 2 run homer, his first hit since returning from the DL, his 18th homer.  Then for 12 straight innings, the Nats couldn't produce any offense.

The Nats had several attempts with runners on 3rd and less than 2 outs that they couldn't send home.  There was not much clutch on the night.  The Nats stranded 12 guys on the night.

Jayson Werth hit 2 doubles and Suzuki, Zimmerman, LaRoche, and Desmond each had 2 hits on the night.

Jordan Zimmermann couldn't find his spots for most of the night and struggled his way through over 100 pitches in 5 innings.  He gave up 8 hits and 4 runs, which included a dagger 2-run homer by Jason Hayward to help the Braves tie the game and seal a no-decision for J-Zimm.

The Nats ran out of pitchers and had Edwin Jackson warming up, but with the big Braves mistake, Davey Johnson didn't have to insert him into the game.  Craig Stammen picked up the win after pitching 2 innings (and on deck to pitch a 3rd).

Another one tomorrow...

Related Stories:

• Bryce Harper Smashes His Bat On Home Plate Again
• Nats Fan Goes Head Over Heels For Foul Ball

Nats Fan Flies Head Over Heels For Foul Ball

On Monday night's game between the Washington Nationals and Atlanta Braves, a foul ball into the crowd sparked an interesting fan foul ball catch attempt.

The guy in the picture below goes over to catch the foul ball, hits a railing in the middle of the steps, still tries to lean over and grab it, and a nearby fan that sees shoes about to kick him in his face gave him the last shove to knock him head over heels.

Tada!  It actually looks like he is the only one near the ball, so maybe he got it.  Or maybe he cracked his head open.  The TV cams didn't capture it, so it was never re-shown.

Nats Offense On Fire, Detwiler Delivers

Nationals 9, Braves 2

Ross Detwiler  had a good day, but the Washington Nationals offense and 18 hits led the team to a 9-2 victory and a series split with the Braves on Sunday afternoon at Nats Park.  The Nats are now up 3.5 games on the Braves.

Less than 24 hours after John Lannan walked into the dugout after a 7th inning to a standing ovation, Ross Detwiler received the same treatment, pitching 7 innings of 7 hit baseball, giving up only 2 runs, 1 earned.  That is now 3 games in a row where the starter went 7 full innings.

To give you an idea of how well things were going for the Nats, in the 5th inning, Roger Bernadina was intentionally walked (does that ever happen?) to get to minor-league catcher Sandy Leon who proceeded to belt in his first 2 career RBIs on a bases loaded double.

Four Guys On Fire

Ryan Zimmerman hit 2 homers on a 3 for 5, 3 RBI night.  In the month of July, Ryan Zimmerman has hit safely in 16 out of 18 games, batting .414 with 9 homeruns.

Michael Morse also had 3 hits and in his last 9 games is batting .405.

Roger Bernadina reached base 4 out of 5 times at the plate, going 3 for 4 with an intentional walk and 2 RBIs.  The Shark is on fire and has 11 hits in his last 19 at bats.

Danny Espinosa has also been on fire as of late.  He went 3 for 4 with a walk and 2 RBIs on Sunday continuing his 8 game hit streak.  Espy has 14 hits in those 8 games.

The Nats head to NY for a series with the Mets...No Rest

Braves @ Nationals: Game Preview (7/22)

Braves vs Nationals

1:35 PM Nationals Park

MASN-1

Story Lines:

• The Nats are looking to split their 4 game series with the Braves with a win today.
• With a win the Braves will be with in 1.5 games of taking over first place.

Pitching Match Up:

• Jair Jurrjens
• 3-3 with a 6.20 ERA.
• Has give up 6 homeruns in 9 games.
• Gave up 8 runs on 8 hits in 3.1 innings last start.

• Ross Detwiler
• 4-3 with a 3.15 ERA.
• Has 2.3 strikeouts for every walk this season.
• Pitched 7 scoreless innings last start, but was handed a no decision by the pen.

Who to Watch:

• Martin Prado
• Batting .538 lifetime against Detwiler.
• Went 2-8 in yesterday's doubleheader.
• Had no runs scored or RBIs yesterday.

• Ryan Zimmerman
• Batting .364 lifetime against Jurrjens.
• Also has 5 RBIs and a homerun when facing Jurrjens.
• Went 3-7 in yesterday's doubleheader.

Keys to the Game:

1. Detwiler Goes 7. If Ross does, it will be the third Nats starter to do so.
2. Ryan Zim Goes Yard.  Predicting that a Zim homer will decide this game.
3. No Errors.  In the field or on the bases.  After a long day, staying mentally focused will be a challenge.  

 

Shark Attack, Nats Bite Braves

Nationals 5, Braves 2

After being shutout in the day session of a doubleheader, the Washington Nationals rallied in 3 consecutive innings to take the night game from the Braves 5-2.  Two unlikely heroes helped the Nats go back up 2.5 games in the division, John Lannan and Roger Bernadina.  FP dubbed it "Shark Week"

Lannan came out slow in the first inning, allowing 2 runs, but settled in, receiving a standing ovation when he left after pitching 7 innings.  The lefty made a case for being the guy to replace Strasburg at the end of the season while picking up his first win of the season.

The story of the offense, and of the entire day was Roger Bernadina.  The "Shark" went 2 for 3 in the early game and then exploded with 3 more hits and the game winning RBI at night.  That is 5 for 7 on the day with an RBI a run scored and a stolen base.  Not bad for one day's work.


Trailing 2-0, after the Nationals scored on a wild pitch in the 5th, Ian Desmond plated the game tying run in the 6th on a bases loaded fielder's choice and then left the game, appearing to be having some more oblique trouble.  Desmond has been avoiding the DL and trying to contribute to the team, but it may be time to give him a longer break.

Then, after Bernadina's clutch hit tied the game in the 7th inning, Espinosa drove in an insurance run in the 8th.  Bryce Harper kept his iron man streak alive, making a pinch hit appearance after missing most of the first game after fouling off a bunt that hit him in the ankle.

Harper got a standing ovation from the crowd and then went on to steal 2nd where his "limp" magically disappeared.  Danny Espinosa came in and hit a double to score Harper who limped into the dugout.  Bryce took the field in the 9th in right.

The Nats picked up another run on a booted grounder by the Braves later in the 8th and Clippard came on in the 9th to pick up his 16th save of the season.  Clippards 8th appearance in a row where he allowed a base runner.

The Nats try to salvage a tie in the series on Sunday afternoon.  Desmond, Harper, and Flores could be game time decisions.

Edwin JacKKKKKKKKKson Wows, Offense Doesn't

Braves 4, Nationals 0

Edwin Jackson did everything he could to help the Nationals win, but the offense wasn't on the same page as the Braves shutout the Nats on Saturday afternoon at Nats Park, the first game of the doubleheader.

After a night when the Nats bullpen was decimated, Edwin Jackson pitched a 111 pitch 7 inning gem, the only run a solo homer by Brian McCann.  Jackson struck out 9 batters and only gave up 5 hits.

Unfortunately for the Edwin, the offense was non-existent.  The Nats only had 6 hits on the day, left 6 guys on base and were 0-7 with  runners in scoring position.

Henry Rodriguez came in for Jackson in the 8th in another terrible outing for the fastballer.  H-Rod gave up a single, walked a guy, and after a double steal and a wild pitch it was 2-0 Braves.  After a 2-1 count to the next batter Davey had seen enough.  The pitcher was pulled mid-batter and Mattheus came in with 0 outs and a runner on 3^rd.

Mattheus escaped the jam, but gave up a 2 run homer to Chipper Jones in the 9th and the Braves won the game 4-0

The game was a rough one for the Nationals who lost Bryce Harper after he bunted off his ankle in the first, an injury that caused him to leave the game in the 3rd inning.  X-Rays showed that it wasn't broken.  Jesus Flores also looked hurt, a possible back issue.  Both players will be out of the starting lineup for game 2.

John Lannan to pitch the next one...

Double Header Preview (7/21)

Braves vs Nationals

1:05 PM / 7:05 PM Nationals Park

MASN-1

Story Lines:

• After dropping a heart breaker last night, the Nats need to take at least one of these two games.
• John Lannan will make his first start of the season in the night game.

Pitching Match Ups:

• Ben Sheets
• 1-0 with a 0.00 ERA.
• Making his second start of the season.

• Randell Delgado
• 4-9 with a 4.52 ERA.
• Easily the worst member of the Braves rotation.

• Edwin Jackson
• 5-5 with a 3.89 ERA.
• After a great start of the season, Jackson has struggled his last few times out.

• John Lannan
• 0-0 with a 0.00 ERA.
• First start of the season.  Called up from AAA.

Who to Watch:

• Michael Bourn
• After an extra inning affair last night and two games today, it will be up to the table setters to get on base and make scoring a few runs easy.
• Went 1-5 last night with 2 RBIs.

• Steve Lombardozzi
• See above.  It's all about the table setters today.
• Went 3-5 last night with 2 RBIs.

Keys to the Games:

1. Get Men on Base.  Make things easier on yourself by getting lead off guys on the bases.
2. Run Support.  Braves need to give it to Sheets, Nats to Lannan.  Build those guys' confidence.
3. E-Jax Time.  Jackson needs to eat up a healthy amount of innings tonight to save the bullpen.

Natty Dread

Braves 11, Nationals 10 (10 innings)

The Washington Nationals led the Atlanta Braves 9-0 on Friday night, but a rough inning for Stephen Strasburg and some bad bullpen pitching contributed to a Braves comeback and a Nats loss.  The Braves are now only 2.5 games back of the Nattys.

The Nats were rolling with help from three run homers by Michael Morse and Ryan Zimmerman.  But in the 6th inning Strasburg began his collapse.  The Nats All-Star finished with 5 strikeouts in 5 1/3 innings, but he couldn't get into his groove all night.  Strasburg was lucky to make it into the 6th unharmed, and after giving up 2 runs and several baserunners, his night was done.

The bullpen came in and things did not get any better.  Each of the next 4 relievers for the Nats gave up 2 runs (Mike Gonzalez' were earned by Stras).  That included both Drew Storen and Tyler Clippard who blew his 2nd save in 3 games.

In the 10th, Zimmerman made a throwing error to first and Dan Uggla made it to 2nd base.  A passed ball later and the go ahead run was on 3rd.  Ian Desmond couldn't make the catch on a little duck snort (my favorite baseball word), Uggla scored, Nats lose.

Your Tyler Clippard update:

After his 14th save on July 7th, Clippard has given up 9 hits, 3 walks, and 8 runs in 6 appearances that included one save, 2 blown saves, and a loss.


The fun doesn't stop, 2 more games on Saturday in the Nats Braves series...