H-Rod's Wild Bounce

You don't see this every day.  A pitcher throws a wild pitch so hard to the backstop that it bounces almost all the way back to the mound.  Nats reliever Henry Rodriguez did it on Sunday afternoon and almost was hit in the head by the rebounding baseball.

The batter's reaction is pretty funny too as he gets scared the ball is gonna hit the pitcher.

Craig Robinson, Daryl From The Office, Throws Out Nats First Pitch

On Friday Night at Nats Park, the Nationals invited actor Craig Robinson to throw out the first pitch.  According to him it was a ... "Steeeeerike"

You may know Craig as Reg Mackworthy, Kenny Powers' arch-nemesis on the HBO dark baseball comedy Eastbound & Down.  If not you definitely know him from his role as Daryl from the warehouse on NBC's The Office.  Personally I liked him best in Hot Tub Time Machine or Pineapple Express.

His latest flick is called "This is the End" and is filled with comedy stars.  Check out the Red Band Trailer after the jump:

Davey Johnson Plays Catch

Just a few days after being shown on television getting some pushups in, the Washington Nationals 70 year old manager was out on the field at Nats Park before the Nats took on the Reds on Friday night tossing the ball around with the guys.  No word on whether or not Davey will be inserting himself into the field to shake up the lineup.  GIF follows.

Let's Get It Started: Nats vs Reds Series Preview

 
Pitching Matchups, Times, & TV Listings 

• Thursday, April 25th, 7:05PM - Gio Gonzalez v. Bronson Arroyo (MASN HD)
• Friday, April 26th, 7:05PM - Jordan Zimmermann v. Homer Bailey (MASN HD)
• Saturday, April 27th, 1:05PM - Dan Haren v. Mike Leake (FOX)
• Sunday, April 28th, 1:35PM - Ross Detwiler v. Tony Cingrani (MASN HD)

 

After suffering a possibly traumatic sweep to the St. Louis Cardinals, the Nationals will attempt to finally get their act together as they begin a 4-game series with the Cincinnati Reds tonight. These two 2012 division champs have already faced off this year, as the Reds took the series in Cincinnati, two games to one. 

An Espinosa Mistake Proves Costly In 6-3 Loss To Reds

Nationals 3, Reds 6

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9		R	H	E
Nationals	0	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	0		3	8	1
Reds	3	0	0	0	0	3	0	0	x		6	11	0

Read the full box score at MLB

In a game featuring an epic matchup between two of the top pitchers in baseball that didn't turn out too epic, the Cincinnati Reds defeated the Washington Nationals 6-3 on Sunday afternoon at Great American Ballpark (or smallpark as FP calls it) with a barrage of grounders and line drives.

Johnny Cueto and Stephen Strasburg each gave up 3 early runs and amassed high pitch counts.  Cueto lasted 6 innings hurling 108 pitches.  Surprisingly, Strasburg threw even more in 5 1/3 inning, 114 pitches coming off a season in which he was shutdown early.

In the 6th inning of a tie game with a runner on first and the Reds fastest baserunner on third, Danny Espinosa made a huge mental mistake.  On a ground ball to second base, Espy overlooked the easy double play and decided to try to throw out the speedy Derrick Robinson at home to preserve the tie.

Not only did Espy's wide throw allow the runner to score, but he passed over 2 crucial outs.  The play caused the inning to be extended, which was a disaster for Strasburg who already had thrown over 90 pitches.  The Reds went on to score 2 more runs and take home the 6-3 win.

The Nats only scoring was a 3 run homerun in the 2nd inning by Kurt Suzuki who finished with 3 extra base hits (2 doubles and the homer).  Despite Cueto's early struggles, he hit the zone, and the Reds bullpen shut down the Nats ending with Aroldis Chapman making Denard Span look silly tossing 100+ stuff past him.

The Nats get Monday off before a 3 game interleague set at home against the White Sox...

Nats Blow Lead, Beat Reds In Extras

Nationals 7, Reds 6 (11 Innings)

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

Read the full box score at MLB

Tim McClelland Just Called Strike 3...

The Nats bounced back from an embarrassing 15-0 loss on Friday to defeat the Reds 7-6 in an 11 inning affair on Saturday afternoon in Cincinnati.  Ian Desmond and Wilson Ramos hit 2 big time homeruns (watch at bottom) in the 11th inning to help the Nats make up for a blown save in the 9th inning by Rafael Soriano.

With Ross Detwiler set up for the win after 6 innings of 1 hit ball and a 5-3 lead, the Reds scored 2 runs in the bottom of the 9th to stun the Nats and new closer Rafael Soriano.  But the Nats fought off the adversity, taking home the win in extras.

Great American Ballpark once again showed why it is one of the toughest parks on pitchers as the Nationals hit 5 homeruns in the contest. (Cincinnati hit 7 the night before).  Bryce Harper hit a 2 run shot in the 3rd inning, Wilson Ramos hit a 2 run shot in the 6th inning, Werth hit a solo shot in the 7th, and then Desmond and Ramos homered in the 11th to seal the victory.

Man With Baby Catches Jayson Werth's Homerun Ball (FP: "That is impressive...just don't drop the kid")

With the score 5-2 in the bottom of the 8th with the tying run at the plate, Davey Johnson let Drew Storen fight through the situation.  An Ian Desmond error allowed a run to score and a terrible throw by Bryce Harper who tried to throw out a guy at home who had already scored, allowed the runners to advance and the tying run to stand on 2nd base.  Storen stepped up and struck out Xavier Paul to end the danger and the inning.

But in the bottom of the 9th, the collapse was completed.  Sin-Soo Choo lead off the inning with a homer, and then Joey Votto hit a triple off the wall and scored on a wild pitch.  It was Rafael Soriano's first blown save of the season.

Craig Stammen pitched the 10th and 11th innings giving up a run, but taking home the win.

One of the most interesting plays of the game was a Bryce Harper single up the middle.  Reds shortstop Zack Cozart came across the infield and booted the grounder, the ball rolling a few feet away right in the 1st-2nd baseline.  Bryce Harper hustled to first base, then took a big turn around the bag, considering trying to take 2nd base on the play.  Only Bryce.

The Nats and Reds meet again on Sunday afternoon...

Reds Crush Nats, NEXT GAME!

Nationals 0, Reds 15

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9		R	H	E
Nationals	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0		0	5	2
Reds	0	2	3	1	1	0	7	1	x		15	19	0

Read the full box score at ESPN

Welcome to Washington Dan Haren!  With the Nats new starter on the mound on Friday night, the Cincinnati Reds destroyed Washington at Great American Ballpark in a 15-0 beat down shutout.  The Nats didn't have much of a chance with the pitching staff giving up 19 hits and 7 homeruns to the Reds.

There was little to be exited about if you are a Nationals fan.  In their first true test of the season the Nats were embarrassed.  Haren only survived 4 innings giving up 9 hits, 6 runs, and 4 homers.  I'm not sure if he watched any of DC baseball last season, but that ain't gonna fly here.

Zach Duke was the only kind-of-bright spot out of the bullpen (5 earned runs lol) eating up 2 2/3rds middle innings after Haren's early exit to save some of the Nats pitchers.  But with Dukes departure in the 7th inning, in stepped Henry Rodriguez who gave up a walk followed by a grand slam.

Jayson Werth shows Davey Johnson that a fan reached out and touched a homerun to interfere

It is questionable that Rodriguez is on the roster, let alone being placed in actual Major League baseball games.  How can Davey have confidence to put this guy in anything that isn't an 8 run ballgame?

The recently shaved Danny Espinosa finally picked up a hit (LOL), and finished with a single and a double and the struggling Ian Desmond picked up a double on his final at bat.  Denard Span was on base 3 times with a single and two walks, and Lombardozzi came into the game to hit a double late.  Other than that, there was no offense whatsoever.  The Nats couldn't even muster a single run.

Game 4 of 162 isn't a time to panic.  These types of games happen, and a 15-0 blowout is the same as a 3-2 squeaker.  Tomorrow the Nats will have a chance to show the Reds that Friday night was a fluke.  But when this series is over we will know a little more about the Nats...

Lady Tries To Catch Foul Ball 3 Seconds Late

The Reds are killing the Nationals right now, and there isn't much to be happy about.  But Danny Espinosa picked up his first 2 hits of the season including a ground rule double that made me smile.  Not because the newly shaved Espi got a solid hit, that was OK, but the reaction of the lady when the ball came over the fence was priceless.

Looks like she ducks out of the way, then after it passes her she gets her body out of her crouched over position and reaches her hand up to catch the ball that was caught 3 seconds before.  Fun times.

Series Preview: Epic Early Season Matchup With The Reds - I'll Be Dat

Washington Nationals @ Cincinnati Reds

Major League baseball scheduling has set us up with a great National League matchup here during opening week.  The Nats, 3-0 and only undefeated team in baseball, will travel to Cinci to take on the 2-1 Reds.

At the end of the 2012 regular season the two teams with the best records in baseball were the Washington Nationals #1 (.605) and the Cincinnati Reds #2 (.599).  However, both teams underachieved when it came to the playoffs each losing in 5 game series against the Cardinals and World Series Champs the Giants respectively.

The Reds opened up the season at home with a loss to the Angels but picked up the next 2 games.  

They were considering using their top reliever, flamethrower Aroldis Chapman as a starter but he is going to be throwing heat from the pen.  If the Nationals get behind, he could be in to shut them down.  But Chapman has pitched in all 3 games so far, and the past 2 days, so he will probably not be available for all 3 games.

Possible NL MVP candidate Joey Votto hasn't homered yet.  He is going to be licking his lips seeing the duo of Haren & Detwiler the next two days.

Your pitching matchups:

• Dan Haren vs Homer Bailey - 7:10pm
• Ross Detwiler vs Mike Leake - 1:10pm
• Stephen Strasburg vs Johnny Cueto - 1:10pm

Notice any awesome pitching matchups there?  How about Strasburg vs Cueto, 2 possible Cy Young candidates.

Going with Redman for the song of the series:  Mostly for the first 2 words of the song...

We think the Reds are going to challenge the Nats for the best record in the NL.  The teams have several parallels.  It will be a good early challenge for the Natty's but nothing to get too worked up over no matter the results.

Prediction:  Reds take 2 of 3

Stay tuned to the Nexus for coverage of the series and follow @DCSportsNexus for live tweeting

2012 Memories: The Home Opener Win

The Home Opener

The Washington Nationals started off their amazing 50 home win season with a bang.  On April 12th, during the home opener against the Cincinatti Reds, the Nationals scored on a wild pitch in the bottom of the 10th inning to defeat the Reds much to the delight of the almost 41,000 fans wearing their free Nats opening day hats (which don't fit).

Gio Gonzalez, coming off a terrible Nats debut, was in what would soon be known as classic Gio-Mode.  Gonzalez pitched 7 innings and only gave up 2 hits while striking out 7.  But the Nats didn't reward Gio with his first Nats win.  Brad Lidge gave up 2 in the 9th to scratch Gio's name off the decision.

The Nats were coasting, up 2-0 since the 5th inning, but 2 Reds runs in the 9th inning caused the crowd to get a little bit anxious.  But in extra innings a wild pitch by Alfredo Simon sent Ryan Zimmerman home from where he stood on 3rd base.  As Zim hustled down the line, the batter, Roger Bernadina, was screaming at him to go back.  But Zimmerman made his decision.

As he slid into home plate the capacity crowd erupted in cheers, but nobody was happier than Gio Gonzalez.  Although his team cost him the win, he didn't care.  He only cared about one statistic...a win in the standings.

================================================================

Stay Tuned For More Of Our 2012 Washington Nationals Memories!  And Read The Current Ones!

Charlie Sheen Puts Joey Votto of the Reds On Acid

Yeah, this is a Nats blog, but we also enjoy baseball and maniacs.  That is why we are bringing you some of the latest Charlie Sheen photos that he posted on Twitpic.

He describes the theme as "Joey Votto on Acid" although it could probably be better described as "Charlie Sheen on Acid".  Take a look:

To be read with the images, from right to left...

The adventures of 
Cincinnati Reds MVP 
1st Baseman
Joey Votto!!

By Charlie Sheen

Part I: Joey Votto On Acid

"(1) Doooooood"

Part II: Joey Votto Still Trippin'

"(2) At a clinic because he can't remember the team doctor's name...(3) and then...panic sets in...(4) 'Nam flashbacks...all of it...Platoon 2"

"(5) Votto steadies himself...effects of the acid still intact...we see him plotting his next move.....Heat 3"

WHAT THE HELL!!!

Nationals Lose to Joey Votto

Nationals Lose: 6-9 (Happy Mothers Day!)

Well the Nationals lost today.  Despite what the schedule may tell you, it wasn't to the Reds.  No, no, it was to Joey Votto.  Read on for some of my thoughts on tonight's loss:

• First off, MAJOR respect for the few (like 10) Reds fans who stuck out the rain delay and watched the whole game.  You deserved to watch your team win I guess.

• Jackson was decent against guys without the last name Votto.  He also out pitched Arroyo through 5 innings before they both got the hook, giving the team a chance to win.
• It was great to see Harper and Espinosa break out some offense tonight.  LaRoche also continued to be solid at the plate.
• Jesus Flores did great tonight at the plate and behind it.  He made a remarkable save on a wild pitch to save the game while H-rod was on the mound.  Keep this up Jesus cause Ramos is out for the year.
• Watching Bryce Harper lose track of that high fly ball in the outfield was painful.  At least it didn't hit him in his head.  You know, in the stitches area.
• H-rod blew another save.  The broadcasters tried to make say that the mound conditions were messing him up.  That might of been the case, but if you want to be a major league closer you got to get the job done.  He didn't tonight and gave up a grandslam walkoff homer to...
• JOEY VOTTO.  I mean, there was nothing we could do to stop him.  He went 4-5 with 3 homeruns, the last of which was a walkoff grandslam.  When I saw him step to the plate in the 9th, I turned to my roommate and said: "have you ever seen a walkoff grandslam?"  He has now, but I wish he hadn't.

This loss stings.  It always will when you lose a game in the 9th that way.  The team comes home tomorrow to start a long home stand and hopefully the guys can build on the offense produced tonight.

A couple questions for you all, feel free to answer in the comments or via twitter (@dru90):

1. Do you send H-rod out there the next time a save opportunity comes up?  If not then who?
2. Was this your first time seeing a walk off grandslam?
3. Were you digging the pink gloves, bats, shoes, sleeves from today?
4. Would you have stayed at the ballpark through a 3h 36m rain delay?

 

Nationals Beat Reds Again

Nationals 2, Reds 1

Brandon Phillips picked up a bases loaded 2 out grounder up the middle and flipped it to the shortstop for the out.  The only thing was, he threw it behind the back.  With a slow Adam LaRoche running to second, this hotdog play was completely pointless.  Phillips could have stopped, looked at the runner, and slowly tossed it.

Instead he went for the show-off move, which if did not connect would have resulted in a very meaningful run, and kept the bases loaded.  However, Brandon Phillips thought it was a great idea and an amazing play.  We know that because he pounded on his chest two times and then stared down the crowd for a second or two before jogging into the dugout.  Terrible.

Oh I guess a baseball game was played as well.  The Nats won the game 2-1 (Brandon Phillips prolly could care less) behind the strong pitching of Jordan Zimmermann (7 innings, 5 hits, 1 run, 9 strikeouts).  Henry Rodriguez also pitched a great 10 pitch 9 strike 3 strikeout 9th inning for his 8th save of the season.

In Bam-Bam news, Harper went hitless again, and got a nice strikeout 100mph high fastball welcome to the Major Leagues from Chapman.  He has now gone 3 games without a hit in 13 at bats.  (He has 1 hit in his last 19 at bats).  Time to move him back to 7th?

Both Nats runs were on solo homers, one a piece for Espinosa & Ramos.  Later in the game Ramos looked like he tore his ACL...more on that later.

One final game for the sweep in Cinci on Sunday, currently in a rain delay...

Nats Win, Harper Loses

Nationals 7, Reds 3

The Washington Nationals bats came alive early last night and the 7 runs they scored in the first 4 innings was enough to hold off the Reds 7-3 and give Gio Gonzalez his 4th win of the season (4-1).

However, the story of the game was not the Nationals offense, it was Bryce Harper who, after being frustrated at his at bats, went into the dugout and hit himself in the face with a bat during by accident while venting some of his frustrations.  Harper should be fine, and more to come on this later.

The Nationals started off the first inning with a Desmond single, which was followed up by a Shark Attack and Bernadina's 2nd home run in as many days.  2-0 with 0 outs, a pretty rare early lead for the Nats.

The offense didn't stop there and after pitching only 3 innings and giving up 7 hits and 6 runs the Reds Mike Leake (0-5)was toast.  After he was out the Nats offense slowed down, and they only picked up 1 extra insurance run on 5 hits.

The Nats have now won 4 of 5 against the Reds (and should have won that one game where the umps were terrible) and have won 2 straight to get back to .500 on the road.  Another one on Saturday night in Cincinnati.

Also in other baseball news...Josh Hamilton...you have to watch every at bat from now on...

Series Preview: Nationals @ Reds

So as I'm writing this the Nat's are in the midst of a 3 game losing skid.  Hopefully the team rights the ship tonight behind Strasburg.  Hopefully the offense puts up some runs, but with the way the lineup has been playing of late, not likely.  After tonight's game, the Nat's will start a weekend series against the Reds in Cincinnati.  The Reds are ahead of the Pirates in the NL Central and we are all seeing how well the Nats handled those guys...

• Friday: 7:10 PM, Gonzalez (3-1) vs Leake (0-4).
• Saturday: 7:10 PM, Zimmermann (1-3) vs Latos (2-2). *Capitals playoff game 7:30 PM
• Sunday: 1:10 PM, Jackson (1-1) vs Arroyo (2-1).

Game to watch is definitely Friday.  If Strasburg can't break the team's losing steak you can look for Gio to do just that.  The Red's pitcher Leake hasn't won a game yet this season, largely due to the fact that he can't stop giving up home-runs.  With the Nat's entire lineup just going up to the plate and trying to hit a homer..going up against Leake is the perfect storm.

Your sound for the series comes from an Ohio band, The Black Keys.  Lonely Boy is quite appropriate for the National's current situation:

Well I'm so above you and it's plain to see but I came to love you any way...

 Bryce Harper...Strasburg...heck most of our starting pitchers this season have a right to feel this way.

So you pulled my heart out and I don't mind bleedin' any old time you keep me waiting, waiting, waiting

The team is pulling all of our hearts out as we sit around and hope they remember how to hit.

oh oh oh oh, I got a love that keeps me waiting

We all got to be patient and wait out this slump.  Keep in mind we still hold first place.

I'm a lonely boy, I'm a lonely boy

It must be lonely up on that pitching mound knowing you won't be getting any run support.  It must be lonely to be Bryce Harper with guys like Werth and Morse out of the lineup.  It REALLY must be lonely to by H-rod, who has 2 blown saves in his last 5 attempts.

Now, you might be saying to yourself, those lyrics seem to be depressing.  How is that song suppose to pump my up for the coming series?  Well...that is what the dancing guy in the music video is for!

Oh Hello Edwin Jackson, Welcome

Edwin Jackson watched Joey Votto's pop fly land in the glove of the Washington Nationals, ending his complete game outing with the Nationals 5th straight victory.  Jackson was amazing, giving up only 2 hits, 1 run, walking 1, and striking out 9.  He even added a base hit in one of his 4 at bats.

All of this coming after a long 13 inning game where the Nats used almost all of their bullpen.  This is exactly what the Nationals needed to get everyone rested for the next game.  The fans gave E-Jax several standing ovations and he deserved it.

Adam LaRoche continues to be the man on offense for the Nats, driving in 2 runs and Jayson Werth is playing some decent baseball with good baserunning, selective swinging, and even getting some big time hits.

The Nats starting rotation is pitching like they want to win a championship and when the Nats offense shows up they are hard to beat.  We will take a look at the starters after Detwiler makes it 2 starts a piece tomorrow.

The Nats pitching staff has a 2.04 ERA, a 1.03 WHIP, and 79 strikeouts...

The Nats have won their first three series and they look for the sweep against the Reds Sunday at 1:30 (Detwiler vs Mike Leake)  D-Wildz pitched 5 shutout innings in his first start and he looks to try to slowly work his way to a 9 inning arm.

In A Long Game Dusty Baker Helps Nats Win

Bronson Arroyo was on fire.  He only gave up 3 hits in 7 innings of play.  From the looks of things, he was going to pitch a complete game and if that was the case the Nationals had no chance of winning the game.  However, Dusty Baker stepped in and the Nationals picked up the 2-1 victory in 13 innings.

Baker pulled Arroyo in the 8th inning after getting the first out.  Bronson had thrown 94 pitches but Baker may have taken him out for a pitching matchup.  In stepped Xavier Nady who was pinch hitting for a pinch hitter.  2 pitches later and we had a tie ball game as Nady's homerun tipped off the glove of Reds RF Ryan Ludwick and into the Reds bullpen for the home run.  Dusty Baker, meet Davy Johnson.

Jordan Zimmermann also pitched a heck of a game just about matching Arroyo.  Zim pitched 7 innings of 3 hit baseball.  The Nationals bullpen came in to pitch 6 innings and only gave up 2 hits.  Especially impressive were Tom Gorzelanny (2 innings 3 strikeouts) and Craig Stammen (struck out 6 of the 7 batters he faced in this series)

Another questionable move from Dusty Baker happened in the 12th inning when he pinch hit a rookie for the veteran Willie Harris to lay down a sac bunt with 0 out and a runner on 2nd.  The rook, Zack Cozart, popped up the bunt and saved the Nationals chances.

Jayson Werth was pumped up the whole game after a bad strikeout early in the contest.  You could see some fire in his actions and with the bases loaded in the 13th inning you knew he was going to come through with a base hit.  (Pretty sure Werth HATES playing here)  Nats win a 4 hour game.

They do it again today at 4pm and hope to win their third series of the season with a victory.  E-Jax vs Homer Bailey.

If the Nats can ever score some runs, they are going to be a dangerous team, until then, let's hope they luck out in these 1 run games and 8th inning comebacks.

Nats Win Home Opener On A Wild Pitch

In his first start as a Washington National, Gio Gonzalez couldn't make it out of the 4th inning.  On Thursday afternoon at Nats Park he not only made it 7 innings, but he walked none and only gave up 2 hits.  Brad Lidge blew Gio's chance to get a win, but the Nationals ended up picking one up (3-2) in the first game of the Reds series.

Gonzalez shut down the Reds with 97 pitches and Tyler Clippard  pitched a 2 strikeout, shutout hold in the eighth, but Brad Lidge came in and blew the save.  In the 10th inning Craig Stammen struck out all three hitters he faced and the crowd that stuck around didn't seem to care that it happened.  Stammen picked up the win.

Ian Desmond is on fire.  He added 3 more hits to his stats and is doing what a leadoff batter needs to do.  He gets hits, and gets on base.  Adam LaRoche who I have crushed all off season and after the first game came through yet again with 2 hits, one of them a bases loaded single that drove in 2 runs.  Even Gio Gonzales got in on the action belting his first major league hit.

The Nats ended up winning the game on a wild pitch ... scoring runs without getting hits seems to be the Nationals MO this year...