Davey Johnson Wants To Choke Ryan Mattheus

Davey Johnson was on 106.7 the Fan with the Sports Junkies this morning and dropped this great quote when asked about how he felt when he heard pitcher Ryan Mattheus broke his pitching hand punching a locker after a loss.

"I want to choke him to death"

LOL.  I guess Davey was sort of joking.  Anyway, here is what we think that situation would look like:

Ryan Mattheus First Shaving Cream Victim Of The Season

It took several home wins but the Washington Nationals finally gave a shaving cream pie to a post-game interview player.  On Thursday night, after a win and a sweep against the Chicago White Sox, Ryan Mattheus was discussing his relief appearance.  Meanwhile, Drew Storen was sneaking up behind him.

A High Flying Drew Storen Closes The Gatorade On Gio Gonzalez After His 20th Win

On Saturday afternoon, Gio Gonzalez became the Major League's first 20 game winner.  Gio picked up the win in front of the home crowd and in front of his mom & dad who he gave game balls after the game.


"As a team feeling right now we feel amazing, i think that this definitely couldn't have been accomplished without this team. These guys have been unbelievable.  It doesn't feel like 20 wins for myself it feels like 20 wins for the team.  One of those things where you can just smile about it, this is a childhood dream, but at the same time to do it with a team that's in first place, makes it that much better" -GIO GONZALEZ

After the game during the post game interview with Kristina Akra, Drew Storen and Ryan Mattheus ran out with the Gatorade jug to dump orange Gatorade all over Gio.  Storen was really into it and did a flying ninja move.  It was awesome.  GIF after the jump:

Vampire Ryan Mattheus & The Nats Stake Marlins

Nationals 7, Marlins 4

A huge day from Adam LaRoche, a few bases loaded walks, and a decent outing by John Lannan helped the Nationals defeat the Marlins 7-4 in the first game of the doubleheader on Friday at Nats Park.

John Lannan started out slow with the bases loaded and 0 outs in the first.  But after a double play by the Nats, Lannan escaped only giving up one run.

After the first, Lannan calmed down and settled into the ballgame.  But in the 7th inning, Lannan allowed two runners and went down 2-0 to the next batter getting the heave in the middle of the at bat.  The crowd gave John a standing ovation to thank him for the spot start.

Lannan only gave up 4 hits on the day, but he walked 5 batters through 6 innings.  John will return to the minors again, where he will wait for his next opportunity.

Ryan Mattheus has developed a new odd pitching stance where he kind of hides his face with his glove before he goes into his move.  FP Santangelo said it looked like a vampire type move, so of course we now have Count Matthues:

LaRoche hit a homer for the 2nd day in the row (and a foul ball that was SMASHED into the upper upper deck).  Adam was 3 for 4 with 3 RBIs.  Zimmerman had 2 doubles on a 2 for 3 day and Jayson Werth drew three walks to go along with a single.  Mark DeRosa had 3 RBI on a hit and a bases loaded walk.

LaRoche also had a big defensive play in the game, a schoolyard kickball play.  With the infield fly rule rubbed out on a bunt attempt, LaRoche dropped a ball on purpose to get a double play.

Every starter had a hit except for former starting catcher Jesus Flores.

Late in the game, Davey removed Drew Storen in the middle of an at bat (1-0) in the 8th inning.  Two pitchers removed mid-batter in one game is a very odd thing.

Somehow, after Mike Gonzalez allowing the tying run to be in the on deck circle, Tyler Clippard had to be used in a save situation.  He picked up his 22nd save, but not before the Marlins scored another run.

Game 2 next...

Nats Rebound with a Win

Rockies 1, Nationals 4

The Nationals rebounded tonight behind a strong performance from Gio to beat the Rockies 4 to 1.  Gio went 6 innings pitching 1 run baseball, while giving up only 3 hits.  Mattheus, Burnett, and Clippard came in and handled the 7th, 8th, and 9th inning without issue and T-clip earned his 14 save of the season.

Washington took an early lead in the 2nd inning on a Desmond solo shot.  Apparently he has been dealing with an oblique strain and will miss the all star game, but he could have fooled me!  Francis pitched decently, but would leave in the 6th innings, an inning where Espinosa, Harper, and Zimmerman all crossed the plate to make the game 4-1.  

Nat's go out to try and win the series tomorrow afternoon.  Oh yeah, some guy by the name of Bryce was added to the all star roster.  

 

Injury Update

Let's take a look at what is going on at Nats Hospital...

At The Exits

Roger Bernadina: (Day-to-Day) -Tweaked his right hamstring -Back Any Day

  
Mark DeRosa:  (15 Day DL) Oblique - Ready to begin minor league rehab - Back This Week


Ryan Mattheus:  (15 Day DL) Foot -Throwing simulated games- Back Late June


Chris Marrero:  (Rehab) - Could be back soon, where does he go? - Back Soon

In The Distance


Drew Storen:  (60 Day DL) Elbow - Throwing off the mound, still targeting the All-Star break for return - Back Late July


Jayson Werth:  (60 Day DL) Wrist - Surgery from broken wrist, now just waiting to heal -  Back Late July-Early August


Chad Tracy:  (15 Day DL) Groin - Recovering from successful surgery - Out For 2 months...or the year...


Finished

Wilson Ramos:  (Doneski) Torn ACL -Had 1st of 2 surgeries successfully -  Never Coming Back

Washington Nationals Injury Update

The injuries keep piling up...let's take a look at what is going on at Nats Hospital...

At The Exits

Brad Lidge:  (Rehab) Hernia - Played Down in Potomac - Back End Of Week Maybe


Mark DeRosa:  (15 Day DL) Oblique - Recently took batting practice - Back Any Day


Ryan Mattheus:  (15 Day DL) Foot - Out of boot, Nats being careful- Back- Mid-Late June


In The Distance


Drew Storen:  (60 Day DL) Elbow - Moved to 60 day to get Mike Gonzalez on the roster - Back Late July


Jayson Werth:  (60 Day DL) Wrist - Surgery from broken wrist, now just waiting to heal.  Just transferred to 60-day.  Back Early August


Chris Marrero:  (60 Day DL) Shoulder - Having problems in rehab.  Back Late Season


Chad Tracy:  (15 Day DL) Groin - Reports had him out for the year, FP Santangelo said Tracy texted him and said 6 weeks - Out For 6 Weeks...or the year...

Finished

Wilson Ramos:  (Doneski) Torn ACL - Starting catcher out for the season.  Never Coming Back

Sandy Leon:  (60 Day DL) Ankle - One Game, One At Bat, One Strikeout, Done. I'm taking him off this cuz the only reason he was up is Jhonatan was hurt. Back To Minors Mid-July

Nats Injury Update

The injuries keep piling up...let's take a look at what is going on at Nats Hospital...

At The Exits

Michael Morse: (Rehab) Lat - Morse is starting his rehab assignment today in Potomac.  He hit 2 homers in his previous rehab game in "extended spring training".  Back Soon


Mark DeRosa:  (15 Day DL) Oblique - Recently took batting practice - Back This Week


Jesus Flores:  See Below

Mid-Term

Ryan Mattheus:  (15 Day DL) Foot - A few weeks in a boot - Back- Mid-Late June


Drew Storen:  (15 Day DL) Elbow - Back Mid-July


Brad Lidge:  (15 Day DL) Hernia - Recently threw some bullpen sessions - Back Mid-July


Chad Tracy:  (15 Day DL) Groin - Reports had him out for the year, FP Santangelo said Tracy texted him and said 6 weeks - Out For 6 Weeks...or the year...


In The Distance

Jayson Werth:  (60 Day DL) Wrist - Surgery from broken wrist, now just waiting to heal.  Just transferred to 60-day.  Back Early August


Chris Marrero:  (60 Day DL) Shoulder - Having problems in rehab.  Back Late Season

Catchers Ward

Wilson Ramos:  (Doneski) Torn ACL - Starting catcher out for the season.  Never Coming Back

Jesus Flores:  (Day to Day) Hammy - With Ramos out, Maldanado a poor hitter, a new catcher coming up, Flores needs to play through tight hamstrings.  While he does let's hope they don't get worse.  Could Play This Week

Sandy Leon:  (60 Day DL) Ankle - One Game, One At Bat, One Strikeout, Done.  Back Mid-July At Earliest


Carlos Maldanado isn't injured, but he is a poor hitter, so Nats brought up the next guy Jhonatan Solano just in case.

Ryan Mattheus Injured

According to CSN Washington, Ryan Mattheus left warmups before the Phillies game on Monday night due to re-aggravating a nagging foot injury.  It is not expected to be serious.  (Read more from CSN).

Another day, another injury.  The Nats bullpen is already missing their closer, Drew Storen, and their backup closer/late inning reliever Brad Lidge is out as well.  This one may not be as bad, and Mattheus could be back as soon as tomorrow.

Season Preview: The Nationals Bullpen

This season the Nationals have three guys who have some decent closing experience.  The young starting pitching staff should be able to go deep most nights, and these guys will be available to finish games:

Drew Storen (Closer):  Storen has been the closer in training for the last few years.  In 2011 he ended the season with 43 saves as the Nationals official closer.  He got about 1 K per inning last season, but he starts the season on the 15 day DL with an elbow issue.

Brad Lidge:  Lidge will start the season out as the closer as Storen heals and will move to a 7th inning type guy (I think).  Lidge was known for choking away big games and has been demoted from his closer role on multiple occasions by multiple teams.  We can only wait and see if we signed the dominant Lidge or the not so great Lidge.

Tyler Clippard:  Clippard made the All-Star team last season as an 8th inning set-up man.  This is a fairly new and unique "position" and Clippard has been lights out leading the league last season with 38.  In fact the Nats like him in this position so much they are having him stay in the position despite the injury to Storen.

Henry Rodriguez:  This guy fires the ball to the plate like nobody else at freak speeds often hitting 100 on the radar gun.  H-Rod averaged over 1 strikeout per inning last year and is a young fireball throwing pitcher, which could be good in the middle innings, or possibly if he has to close out a game.

The pitching staff includes only two lefties, which isn't exactly great.  Tom Gorzelanny, a demoted starter, and Sean Burnett who is in the league mainly because he is a lefty.  The other two righties that will start the season in the pen are Craig Stammen, a minor league type that the Nats tried to use as a starter in the past, and Ryan Mattheus, who pitched well in his first season in the majors last year.