Nats Lose Again, Lineup To Change

Cardinals 2, Nationals 0

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

Well...the Nationals lost again.  The pattern is getting repetitive   Whenever the Nats play a decent team, they can't seem to generate any offense on a consistant basis.  On Tuesday night at Nats Park the Cards defeated the Nats 2-0 after the Nats failed to score a run.  You won't believe the stats the Nats have been putting up in losses this year.

Detwiler Gets 1st Win, Kurt Suzuki Rollin, Nats Beat Fish

Nationals 6, Marlins 1

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

Bryce Harper had a Jordan-esque day, Kurt Suzuki continued his hot hitting, and Ross Detwiler pitched nothing like a typical 5th starter to help the Washington Nationals defeat the Miami Marlins 6-1 on Wednesday night and take home the series victory.  The Nats offense got their mojo back and if not for a bad call by an ump at home plate, Detwiler would have picked up the shutout.

Washington Nationals React To Bizarre National Anthem

When I saw a girl with an acoustic guitar about to sing the National Anthem, I was wondering what to expect.  Three seconds into the song, it was clear.

The young lady singing sort of...did something bizarre.  She kind of followed the actual notes, and sort of turned it into an upbeat happy song or something.  Take a look at the reaction by the Washington Nationals players & coaches...hilarious.

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...

Nats Player Dresses Up As The Easter Bunny, Easter Natitude

Happy Easter everyone.  Some of the Nationals got together to celebrate the holiday including this mystery National dressed as the Easter Bunny (I waited all night to find out who it is, no dice):

Tweeted By Zach Duke

Tweeted By Ross Detwiler

The Easter Bunny clearly has #NATITUDE this year. #Nats twitter.com/Munsonism/stat…
— Tar Heel #Natitude (@Munsonism) March 31, 2013

Gio Gonzalez Dubs Ross Detwiler "The Det Collector"

While Gio Gonzalez was on the MLB Network show called Intentional Talk (watch here) the hosts asked him about Ross Detwiler's nickname, National Det.  Gio suggested a new nickname for Ross: The Det Collector:

That's the edited movie poster for the Danny Trejo movie called Badass

Gio Gonzalez, The Real Captain America, And MLB Intentional Talk

Gio Gonzalez, fresh off his huge WBC victory on Tuesday night, joined Chris Rose and Kevin Millar on the MLB Network's "Intentional Talk".  Gio sported the backpack along with the Miami Heat hat (booo!) while a creepy dude behind him sprayed down the field.

At one point in the interview he gave Ross Detwiler a new nickname:

The Det Collector

During another part they talked about this Gio "The Real Captain America" baseball bat and Gio said that David Wright was the one and only Captain America.

Gio talked about playing on Team USA and playing in his hometown, and then they asked him a few rapid fire questions:

When asked who was a cool teammate: "Ryan Vogelsong"

When asked about the Miami Heat: "Believe it! They will win their 20th straight game. One big time fan. Way before they are now."

When asked Nat Gio or National Det "Nat Gio"

You can watch the entire 8 minute interview below:




Shoutout to @NatsArchive who got on the broadcast with their photoshop of Gio & Giancarlo Miami Vice

Gio Gonzalez House Of Leagues Stickball Boy Collection Clothing Apparel Line

Pic via House Of Leagues

Gio Gonzalez started his own apparel collection in the summer of 2012 called House of Leagues.  Via a January article from Hat Life:

"Gio Gonzalez, an MLB pitcher for the Washington Nationals, launched a new apparel collection called The House of Leagues. He is also interested in starting a hat line and accessory collections."

The web site doesn't have any clothes up yet but Ross Detwiler tweeted a picture of one of the House of Leagues shirts that Gio Gonzalez gave him.  It was from his Stickball Boy Collection.  (via House of Leagues press release)

"The ‘Stickball” collection features graphics with a twisted element in the baseball culture. A stick-figure insignia along with imagery significant to traditional baseball concessions including hot dogs and beers appear on each design."

Cool Shirt Bro!  Baseball + Culture + Fashion!  There is also a "Stickball Girl" character too.  A baseball with a pink bow.  You can see her on the girl below

Pics Via House Of Leagues

Other Nats 4 n00bz can be found here like Jayson Werth's Cage Fighting company and Bob Carpenter's Scorebook...

Sports Illustrated's Tom Verducci Says Book Trip To DC For World Series

In his latest article, Tom Verducci (Sports Illustrated writer and "baseball expert" on TV) discusses the United States' win over Canada to avoid being eliminated from the ever so popular World Baseball Classic.  In his article, he brings up Ross Detwiler, member of Team USA.  Here is what he said:

"Detwiler was dominant in four innings against Italy, in a game the USA already had in hand. (By the way, Detwiler is so impressive that if the Nationals have three starting pitchers better than him -- and they do -- you can start booking your trip to Washington for the World Series.)"

Wooohooo!!!! Let's work this out as a logic problem:

If A, B ... A

Yay!! I forgot how to do logic problems (aren't there some sideways U's involved) but from what I'm reading it means I should "start" booking my trip to Washington for the World Series.  I guess to see the Mariners?

Gio Gonzalez Hits Ross Detwiler With A Bucket Of Gum

There was no homerun this time, but Gio Gonzalez decided to give Ross Detwiler a bubblegum shower.  Ross was talking with the Fox Broadcasters from the dugout during the game when he was hit with an entire bucket of Dubble Bubble.  Instead of ignoring it like the Gio Gonzalez sunflower seed incident, Detwiler tattled on Gio to the booth.

Gif after jump

Gio Gonzalez Thrown Out Of Game By Umpire

Home plate umpire Todd Tichenor was giving the benefit of the doubt of close calls to the away, 20+ games out of first Marlins, and the Washington Nationals took exception.  Ross Detwiler was getting squeezed out of some strike calls and the Marlins hit a couple first inning homers.

Detwiler was perturbed on the mound, but Gio Gonzalez was really fired up in the dugout.  He was jawing with the umpire who proceeded to throw Gio out of the game...well out of the dugout.  Gio screamed a few things back post ejection as Davey pushed him towards the locker room.

Later in the inning, Nationals pitching coach Steve McCatty came out to "talk to Detwiler".  He stood on the mound looking over his shoulder waiting for the ump to break up the meeting so he could have a few words.

McCatty got some good comments in and even continued to bark at the ump on the way to the dugout as the ump made hand gestures.  Sean Burnett was not feelin it.  Moving images after the jump.

Harper Jacks Homers, Gets Ejected, And Nats Break Losing Streak

Nationals 8, Marlins 4

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9		R	H	E
Nationals	0	0	0	4	1	0	0	1	2		8	14	0
Marlins	0	0	0	0	1	2	1	0	0		4	8	0

Read the full box score at MLB

The losing steak is over!  Bryce Harper crushed 2 homers and Ross Detwiler had a solid game on the mound to help the Nationals defeat the Marlins 8-4 on Wednesday night in Miami.  The Nats broke their 5 game skid and with a Braves loss the Nats lead the division by 5.

Detwiler went 5 2/3 innings giving up 3 runs on just 4 hits while striking out 4.  Bryce had the 2 jacks and Suzuki hit his first homer as a National.  Drew Storen had a huge 8th inning escaping a jam.  

So what else happened in the game?  We're gonna need a bullet list for this:

• Bryce Harper Jacked 2 Homers, Including This Moonshot
• Then He Got Ejected For Throwing His Helmet (The Gif and Davey Yelling At Him)
• FP & Bob Imply That A Baseball Got An STD At The Clevelander In Miami
• They Also Tell Kids To Watch Nats Games Instead Of Doing Homework
• Davey Has Team Meeting "Would you just win one for this old man so I can sleep at night!"
• Reporters Try To Bate Strasburg Into Making Excuses, Fail
• Mike Rizzo Says Bryce Harper Needs To "Play Every DAMN DAY!"
• Bob Carpenter Said "Strucks Him Out!" (sound clip below)

Nats head home for series with the Cards starting tomorrow...

Mets @ Nationals: Series Preview

The Nats are 73-45.  They are the best team in baseball, and they are coming back home to face the New York Mets in a three game series.  The Mets are 17.5 games out of first place, and below .500 on the season.  Here is how the series stacks up:

• Friday: 7:05 PM, Santana (6-8) vs Detwiler (6-5).
• Saturday: 7:05 PM, Niese (9-6) vs Jackson (7-7).
• Sunday: 1:35 PM, Hefner (2-4) vs Gonzalez (15-6).

Game of the Series:  Saturday.  If Detwiler doesn't take a loss Friday, and Jackson wins Saturday, every Nat's starter will have a winning record for the season.  Wow.

Sound of the Series:  With all the Strasburg news in the National media it seems everyone is coming out and talking about how it used to be in the old days with pitchers.  Lots of talk about different generations of ball players.


Prediction Time:
Time to see what I know about baseball by picking how the games are going to fall.

• Nationals WIN Friday.
• Nationals WIN Saturday.
• Nationals WIN Sunday.

Nationals SWEEP Series 3-0.

Series Preview: Nationals @ Diamondbacks

After sweeping the Lastros, the Nationals look to continue their successful road trip in Arizona against the Diamondbacks.  That means more weird start times as the Nats head either further west.  The D-backs are over .500 and still in the hunt for a playoff spot, so they should prove to be a better challenge than the Astros were.  Here is how the series stacks up.

• Friday: 9:40 PM, Strasburg (12-5) vs Cahill (9-9).
• Saturday: 8:10 PM, Jackson (6-7) vs Miley (12-7).
• Sunday: 4:10 PM,  Detwiler (6-4) vs Corbin (3-4).

Game of the Series: Sunday.  Picking Sunday because it has the most reasonable start time and should be the closest of the three games.

Sound of the Series: Jimmy Eat World.  They are probably the only band I know from Arizona.
   

Prediction Time:

Putting my baseball knowledge to the test to say what the outcome of each game is going to be.  Sometimes I even get it right! Comment here or on twitter @Dru90.

• Nationals WIN Friday.
• Nationals LOSE Saturday.
• Nationals WIN Sunday.

Nationals WIN the series 2-1.

Bernadina Disappears, Reappears With A Victory

Nationals 3, Astros 2 (12 Innings)

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

Read the full box score at MLB

Roger Bernadina chased down a deep fly ball in centerfield.  Just when it looked like the ball would land on the ground and the Nats would lose, Bernadina leaped into the air and disappeared in a little cubby in the outfield fence.  When he finally emerged he had the ball in his glove and the Nationals had the victory.

Bernadina Makes The Game Saving Amazing Catch

In a game where offense was almost non-existent, Danny Espinosa drove in all 3 Nats runs including the game-winner in the 12th inning as the Nationals defeated the Astros 3-2 in 12 innings on Tuesday night.  With a Braves loss the Nats are now up 4 games in the division.

Ross Detwiler pitched 7 innings giving up just 3 hits and 2 runs, and the bullpen pitched 4 innings of 1 hit shutout baseball to keep the Astros quiet while the Nats waited for the offense to arrive.

The Astros scored 2 in the first inning but Danny Espinosa stepped up in the 2nd and jacked a 3 run shot.  After that...silence.  Well let me rephrase that.  Offensive silence.

Because the game was far from quiet.  There was one annoying fan who screamed like a maniac the entire length of the game.  With the stadium empty, his voice was louder and more annoying than you can imagine.  But don't worry, you don't have to imagine, read all about it and listen to it here.

Drew Storen ended up with the win and Bernadina's catch saved Tyler Clippard from blowing his 2nd save in a row.  Instead Clip notches his 23rd save.  Nats win.

The Nationals go for the series win in game 3 of 4 against the Astros on Wednesday night...

Related Stories:

• The Greatest GIF in history and the Saga Of Maniac Astros Fan
• Two Interesting Fans At The Ballpark

Meet The Nat Pack, The Washington Nationals Starting Rotation

On Monday night in Houston the Nats starters were having a great time laughing in the dugout.  It reminded me of some other guys who liked to have a good time laughing.  So I give to you, the Nat Pack.

Stevey Sinatra, Dean Zimmermartin, Gio Bishop, Det Lawford, & Edwin Davis Jr.

Related Stories:

• Bryce Harper Smashes His Bat The Gif
• Gio Gonzalez High Fives Invisible People The Gif

Series Preview: Nationals @ Astros

It seems like 4 game series are becoming the norm for the Nats as they hit the road for 4 games against the Astros.  Here is how the series stacks up:

• Monday: 8:05 PM, Jackson (6-7) vs Keuchel (1-4).
• Tuesday: 8:05 PM, Detwiler (6-4) vs Lyles (2-8).
• Wednesday: 8:05 PM, Gonzalez (13-6) vs Galarraga (0-1).
• Thursday: 8:05 PM, Zimmermann (8-6) vs  Harrell (9-7).

Game of the Series: Thursday.  Zimmermann vs Harrell is a showdown between the best pitchers each team has to offer.  Should be a good one.

Sound of the Series: Run To The Hills.  This song gets me pumped up, so why not? 

Prediction Time:
My baseball knowledge is put to the test as I predict how the series is going to go.  Tell me how wrong you think I am in the comments or on Twitter @dru90.

• Nationals WIN Monday.
• Nationals WIN Tuesday.
• Nationals WIN Wednesday.
• Nationals LOSE Thursday.

Nationals WIN the series 3-1.

The National Det Is A Good Thing, Nats Win

Nationals 3, Phillies 0

Ross Detwiler retired his last 14 batters, leading the Washington Nationals to an important slump-busting win over the Phillies on Thursday night at Nats Park.  The "National Det" as FP Santangelo called him, pitched 7 shutout innings giving up only 3 in his 6th win of the season (6-4).

Sean Burnett & Tyler Clippard finished off the Phillies, who didn't have a single baserunner since the 3rd inning until Clippard walked the leadoff batter in the 9th.  Clippard picked up his 21st save after getting Ryan Howard up as the game tying run.

Detwiler's counterpart Cole Hammels also went 7 innings striking out 9 Nationals.  But the Nats got 3 runs on Cole thanks to 2 Adam LaRoche RBI's and one from recently activated Jayson Werth.  LaRoche went 3 for 4 with a homer.

This Idiot Fan Tries To Knock The Ball Away From Ty Wiggington.  Ty Caught It, Almost Punched The Dude

Werth's RBI came on a fielder's choice but in his first at bat in the 2nd inning Werth stroked a base hit.  The Nationals are happy to have Werth back in the lineup as the Center/Right fielder made a nice impact on his first day back.

The Nats avoid the sweep and the Marlins come to town for a 4/7 doubleheadder on Friday...

Phillies @ Nationals: Game Preview (8/2)

Phillies vs Nationals

7:05 PM Nationals Park

MASN-1

Story Lines:

• Dangerous times for the Nats, who will try to avoid the sweep facing Cole Hamels.
• Will the Nats offense wake up with some run support tonight?
• Nats will look to gain some momentum going into tomorrows double-header.

Pitching Match Up:

• Cole Hamels
• 11-5 with a 3.31 ERA.
• Is 2-0 against the Nats this year, having surrendered 1 run.
• Surrendered 5 runs, 3 of them earned, in 5 innings his last start.

• Ross Detwiler
• 5-4 with a 3.24 ERA.
• Has not faced Philly this season.
• Gave up 4 runs over 4.2 innings his last start.

Who to Watch:

•  Chase Utley
• Hitting .286 with double and an RBI against Detwiler.
• Went 2-4 in yesterday's game and drew a walk.
• Hitting .375 in the series.

• Ryan Zimmerman
• Has sat out the first two games of the series, but said he would play tonight.
• Came in last night to pinch hit, but was caught stealing.
• Hitting .273 with 2 homeruns, 4 RBIs, and 4 BB against Hamels.

Keys to the Game:

1. Stop the Run Game.  Pierre has had 2 stolen bases in each of the first 2 games.
2. Run Support.  Tonight against Hamels, Detwiler will need some help.
3. Avoid the Sweep.  Not really a "key" to the game, but the Nats should really do this.

Series Preview: Phillies @ Nationals

After going 7-1 last week, the Nats welcome the Phillies into DC for a three game series.  The Phillies are in last place in the NL East, as they have been basically all season.  Still, you can bet Philly fans will try and crowd our stadium during this series.  If you can, get out to the park and catch a game.  Here is how it stacks up:

• Tuesday: 7:05 PM, Lee (1-6) vs Strasburg (11-4).
• Wednesday: 7:05 PM, Hurley (5-6) vs Jackson (6-6).
• Thursday: 7:05 PM, Hamels (11-5) vs Detwiler (5-4).

Game of the Series:  Going with Tuesday.  Sure Cliff Lee hasn't been himself this season, but how can you resist a Lee vs Strasburg Match Up.

Sound of the Series:  With the talk of protecting our park from the Philly fans, this song came to mind.  Welcome to the Jungle, Philly.

Prediction Time:
My baseball IQ is on the line as I try and predict how the Nats will fare each series. 

• Nationals WIN Tuesday.
• Nationals WIN Wednesday.
• Nationals LOSE Thursday.

Nationals WIN the series 2-1.