SB Nation - Garrett Mock

The Bill James Handbook 2010 - Projections For The Washington Nationals' Pitchers In 2010 + Fall Notes.

Ed Chigliak — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 03:00:30 -0000

With the help of The Bill James Handbook 2010 (available 11/1/09) and Acta Sports.com, who made Mr. James' Hitter and Pitcher projections available before the book's publication, we're able to take a look at what the future might hold for the pitchers expected to throw for the Nationals next season. Will Garrett Mock start or work out of the pen? Will some of the older pitchers like Craig Stammen and J.D. Martin make the rotation this time around? What will John Lannan's role be as more and more prospects rise through the system? What should fans expect from the Nationals' bullpen arms like Sean Burnett, Mike MacDougal or Saul Rivera? After that, what one Chicago writer says about the Nationals' managerial search, and another night in the DWL with Ian Desmond...

After The JUMP...

The Bill James Handbook 2010 Hitter Projections For The Washington Nationals' Pitchers:

Collin Balester:

Balester, Collin	G	GS	IP	K	HR	W	L	ERA	SV
'09 Projections	--	---	--	--	----	--	-	---	---
'09 Stats	7	7	30.1	20	10	1	4	6.82	0
2010 Projections	11	11	47.0	32	6	2	3	5.38	0

Jason Bergmann:

Bergmann, Jason	G	GS	IP	K	HR	W	L	ERA	SV
'09 Projections	33	21	139.0	113	20	7	9	4.25	0
'09 Stats	56	0	48.0	40	7	2	4	4.50	0
2010 Projections	73	0	60.0	48	8	3	4	4.35	0

Sean Burnett:

Burnett, Sean	G	GS	IP	K	HR	W	L	ERA	SV
'09 Projections	67	0	60.0	29	7	2	5	6.27	0
'09 Stats	71	0	57.2	43	6	2	3	3.12	1
2010 Projections	65	0	49.0	27	5	2	3	5.14	0

Tyler Clippard:

Clipper, Tyler	G	GS	IP	K	HR	W	L	ERA	SV
'09 Projections	--	---	--	--	---	--	-	---	--
'09 Stats	41	0	60.1	67	9	4	2	2.69	0
2010 Projections	62	0	91.0	84	13	4	6	4.55	0

Livan Herandez?

Hernandez, Livan	G	GS	IP	K	HR	W	L	ERA	SV
'09 Projections	27	27	150.0	84	19	8	9	4.90	0
'09 Stats	31	31	183.2	102	19	9	12	5.44	0
2010 Projections	31	31	188.0	103	23	8	13	4.98	0

Logan Kensing:

Kensing, Logan	G	GS	IP	K	HR	W	L	ERA	SV
'09 Projections	43	0	46.0	45	6	2	3	4.33	0
'09 Stats	32	0	35.1	19	8	1	2	8.92	1
2010 Projections	36	0	41.0	38	8	2	3	4.81	0

John Lannan:

	G	GS	IP	K	HR	W	L	ERA	SV
'09 Projections	29	29	177.0	103	18	9	11	4.08	0
'09 Stats	33	33	206.1	89	22	9	13	3.88	0
2010 Projections	32	32	199.0	101	21	11	11	4.03	0

Mike MacDougal:

MacDougal, Mike	G	GS	IP	K	HR	W	L	ERA	SV
'09 Projections	--	---	--	--	---	--	-	----	---
'09 Stats	52	0	50.0	31	3	1	1	3.60	20
2010 Projections	67	0	67.0	59	4	3	4	4.43	4

J.D. Martin:

J.D. Martin	G	GS	IP	K	HR	W	L	ERA	SV
'09 Projections	--	---	--	--	---	--	-	---	--
'09 Stats	15	15	77.0	37	14	5	4	4.44	0
2010 Projections	29	29	177.0	125	19	10	10	4.07	0

Shairon Martis:

Martis, Shairon	G	GS	IP	K	HR	W	L	ERA	SV
'09 Projections	--	---	--	--	---	--	-	---	--
'09 Stats	15	15	85.2	34	11	5	3	5.25	0
2010 Projections	7	7	43.0	26	26	2	3	5.23	0

Garrett Mock:

Mock, Garrett	G	GS	IP	K	HR	W	L	ERA	SV
'09 Projections	--	---	--	--	---	--	-	---	--
'09 Stats	28	15	91.1	72	9	3	10	5.62	0
2010 Projections	31	25	143.0	122	14	8	10	4.91	o

Scott Olsen:

Olsen, Scott	G	GS	IP	K	HR	W	L	ERA	SV
'09 Projections	32	32	199.0	153	29	10	12	4.58	0
'09 Stats	11	11	62.2	42	11	2	4	6.03	0
2010 Projections	22	22	121.0	91	18	5	8	4.98	0

Saul Rivera:

Rivera, Saul	G	GS	IP	K	HR	W	L	ERA	SV
'09 Projections	74	0	80	60	3	4	4	3.80	0
'09 Stats	30	0	38.1	21	7	1	3	6.10	0
2010 Projections	43.0	0	59.0	42	3	3	4	4.42	0

Craig Stammen:

Stammen, Craig	G	GS	IP	K	HR	W	L	ERA	SV
'09 Projections	--	---	--	--	---	--	-	---	--
'09 Stats	19	19	105.2	48	14	4	7	5.11	0
2010 Projections	20	20	120.0	64	13	6	8	4.50	0

Ron Villone:

Villone, Ron	G	GS	IP	K	HR	W	L	ERA	SV
'09 Projections	76	0	42.0	36	4	2	2	4.22	0
'09 Stats	63	0	48.2	33	6	5	6	4.25	1
2010 Projections	71	0	54.0	44	5	3	3	4.33	0

?'s Raised By The #'s:

• Is there any room on the pitching staff for Logan Kensing in 2010? What bullpen arms from last year are you bringing back? Which would you part with?

• Which pitchers will make the twenty-ten rotation? Craig Stammen? Collin Balester? J.D. Martin? Shairon Martis? Do you expect anything from Scott Olsen?

• Mike MacDougal's projections are cleary skewed by the fact that he hadn't saved a game since 2006 before '09's 20 saves? Will MacDougal hold the closer's role throughout the twenty-ten campaign?

• A .500 season from John Lannan? Does that mean he'll finally receive some support this season? Is anyone guaranteed an 2010 rotation spot right now, outside of Lannan?

• Is Livan Hernandez coming back to DC next season?

2010 Skipper Search UPDATE:

If you haven't already read this when it was linked to in the comments of a previous post or elsewhere around the internet, since it was basically the only "news" to come out of DC this weekend, check out Chicago Tribune writer Phil Rogers "On Baseball" column entitled, "Cuban pitcher Aroldis Chapman in great demand", wherein, Mr. uh, Rogers writes (without citing a source, anonymous or otherwise) that the time for Bobby Valentine to claim a major league managing job may have passed:

"Bobby Valentine may be shut out on the job market. He was a finalist for the Indians job that went to Manny Acta, and it appears the Nationals are close to giving former Cubs manager Jim Riggleman the job he had on an interim basis last season."

Is the Washington Nationals' search for a full-time manager going to end with a promotion?

Saturday Night In The DWL:

The Tigres del Licey and Gigantes del Cibao squared off on Saturday with Nationals' infielder Ian Desmond starting at second for Licey and going 1 for 2 with a walk and a sac fly RBI, but it was Desmond's throwing error in the ninth that allowed the Gigantes to rally to tie the game at 3-3 and eventually steal a walk-off win when Tigres' pitcher Oneli Perez gave up a sac fly to left that ended it. Desmond's first DWL error proves costly. The 24-year-old, who impressed after his September call-up to DC, is now hitting .214 (6 for 28) with 7 RBI's in 8 games. Notes: Atahualpa Severino got a backwards K from the first batter he faced in the eighth after replacing Yhancy Brazoban, but Severino was out after allowing a run-scoring single in the next AB, though the run was Brazoban's.

Final Score: Gigantes 4, Tigres 3. MLB.com Box Score.

Washington Nationals: 2009 Post-Season Player Achievement Awards.

Ed Chigliak — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 04:40:09 -0000

More photos » by Alan Diaz - AP

8 months ago: Washington Nationals' Adam Dunn (44) is congratulated by teammates Cristian Guzman (15) and Ryan Zimmerman (11) after hitting a three-run home run against the Florida Marlins' in the sixth inning of a baseball game in Miami, Monday, April 6, 2009. Guzman and Zimmerman scored on the home run. The Marlins won 12-6. (AP Photo/Alan Diaz)

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Under the auspices of The Washington, DC Internet Baseball Writers Association (DC-IBWA), a selection of Washington Nationals blogs and bloggers voted recently for the first Washington Nationals Post Season Player Achievement Awards with 20 ballots submitted from "online media outlets" covering the Nationals including: Nationals News Network, Nationals Pride, We've Got Heart, Centerfield Gate, FJB, Federal Baseball, The Nationals Enquirer, DC Sports Box, Nationals Inquisition, Nats Fanboy Looser, Planetary Nats, Bang! Zoom!, Nats Nation, Let Teddy Win!, Nationals Review, DC Sports Plus and Passing Time Between Wil Nieves Bombs, all choosing which Nationals would win the following awards:

• Goose Goslin Most Valuable Player*

-- Player most valuable to the success of the Washington Nationals:

• Walter Johnson Starting Pitcher of the Year*

-- Excellent performance as a starting pitcher

• Frederick "Firpo" Marberry Relief Pitcher of the Year*

-- Excellent performance as a relief pitcher

• Sam Rice Hitter of the Year*

-- Excellence in all-around hitting, situational hitting and baserunning

• Frank Howard Slugger of the Year*

-- Excellence in power hitting

• Joe Judge Defensive Player of the Year*

-- Excellence in fielding

• Mickey Vernon Comeback Player of the Year*

-- Player who overcame biggest obstacle in the preceding season to contribute on the field

• Josh Gibson Humanitarian Player of the Year*

-- Player who meritoriously gave of himself to the community

• Minor League Player of the Year*

-- Minor league player most destined for big league success

(ed. note - " * = Detailed biographies included in PDF Press Release Included After The JUMP.")

• THE RESULTS...AFTER THE JUMP!!!

• DC-IBWA Awards Official Press Release.

(ed. note - "Voters chose 1st, 2nd and 3rd place finalists for each award with (1st = 5 points), (2nd = 3 points), (3rd = 1 point)...")

• Goose Goslin Most Valuable Player*

-- Player most valuable to the success of the Washington Nationals:

Ryan Zimmerman (92 points, 16 1st Place votes)
Adam Dunn (41 points, 1 1st Place vote)
Nyjer Morgan (25 points, 3 1st Place votes)
(Others: John Lannan (19 points), Josh Willingham (3 points))

• Walter Johnson Starting Pitcher of the Year*

-- Excellent performance as a starting pitcher

John Lannan (96 points, 18 1st Place votes)
Jordan Zimmermann (42 points, 2 1st Place votes)
Craig Stammen (22 points)
(Others: J.D. Martin (6 points), Garrett Mock (4 points), Livan Hernandez (3 points), Ross Detwiler (2 points))

• Frederick "Firpo" Marberry Relief Pitcher of the Year*

-- Excellent performance as a relief pitcher

Tyler Clippard (80 points, 13 1st Place votes)
Mike MacDougal (55 points, 6 1st Place votes)
Sean Burnett (29 points, 1 1st Place vote)
(Others: Jason Bergmann (6 points), Joe Beimel (5 points), Ron Villone (3 points), Saul Rivera (1 point))

• Sam Rice Hitter of the Year*

-- Excellence in all-around hitting, situational hitting and baserunning

Ryan Zimmerman (81 points, 14 1st Place votes)
Adam Dunn - (39 points, 2 1st Place votes)
Nyjer Morgan - (26 points, 3 1st Place votes)
(Others: Josh Willingham (14 points), Nick Johnson (9 points, 1 1st Place vote), Cristian Guzman (6 points))

• Frank Howard Slugger of the Year*

-- Excellence in power hitting

Adam Dunn (100 points, 20 1st Place votes)
Ryan Zimmerman (46 points)
Josh Willingham (27 points)

• Joe Judge Defensive Player of the Year*

-- Excellence in fielding

Ryan Zimmerman (88 points, 14 1st Place votes)
Nyjer Morgan (69 points, 6 1st Place votes)
Willie Harris (12 points)

• Mickey Vernon Comeback Player of the Year*

-- Player who overcame biggest obstacle in the preceding season to contribute on the field

Nick Johnson (50 points, 10 1st Place votes)
Mike MacDougal (20 points, 1 1st Place vote)
Ryan Zimmerman (18 points, 3 1st Place voes)

• Josh Gibson Humanitarian Player of the Year

-- Player who meritoriously gave of himself to the community

John Lannan (72 points, 12 1st Place votes)
Ryan Zimmerman (44 points, 4 1st Place votes)
Wil Nieves (21 points, 3 1st Place votes)
(Others: Josh Willingham (9 points), Nyjer Morgan, Willie Harris, Elijah Dukes (3), Tyler Clippard (1))

• Minor League Player of the Year

-- Minor league player most destined for big league success

Derek Norris (54 points, nine first place votes)
Ian Desmond (53 points, nine first place votes)
Drew Storen (41 points, two first place votes)
(Others: Bradley Meyers (16 points), Chris Marrero (7 points), Mike Morse (4 points), Daniel Espinosa (2 points), Ross Detwiler (1), Jorge Padilla (1)).

(ed. note - "Thanks to Dave from NNN, who's behind all of this...")

Cast Your Own Votes In The Comments Section.

Atlanta Braves Eliminated By Colorado Rockies, Beaten By Washington Nationals, 2-1.

Ed Chigliak — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 04:37:51 -0000

More photos » by John Amis - AP

2 months ago: Washington Nationals' Pete Orr, right, celebrates with teammate Ian Desmond (6) after a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves, Thursday, Oct. 1, 2009, in Atlanta. Washington won 2-1. (AP Photo/John Amis)

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• One Pitch Each Wants Back - Garrett Mock throws a 1-0 fastball to Nate McLouth in the third that goes out over the left field wall as quickly as it came in. McLouth's 19th HR gives Atlanta’s rookie right-hander Tommy "(11-4)" Hanson a 1-0 lead to work with, but Hanson gives up a leadoff single to Willie Harris and one-out walk to Adam Dunn in the fourth, and then gets behind Ryan Zimmerman, who lines a 2-0 fastball off the 390ft sign on the wall in right center for an RBI double and a 1-1 game.

• Duel - Tommy Hanson gives up a one-out single in the fifth, but strikes out the next two batters, Mock walks the pitcher in the bottom of the frame, but a DP grounder and a swinging K keep things knotted at 1-1. Garrett Anderson's two-out single is the only hit in the sixth and Anderson's stranded when Mock gets a groundout to short and an inning-ending force. Cristian Guzman hits for Mock, or more accurately K's, with two on and two out in the top of the seventh, and Tyler Clippard replaces Mock on the mound, allowing a leadoff walk and then retiring the next three batters in order. The eighth begins with Atlanta lefty Mike Gonzalez throwing a quick 1-2-3 inning, and Clippard returns to strike out the side.

• Top Of The Ninth - Braves' closer Rafael Soriano gives up a leadoff double to Ryan Zimmerman, who waits on a slider and drives it to left for his 35th double of 2009. Mike Morse K's unproductively in the next AB, but Pete Orr always scores them, and he does it again, taking a slider upstairs from Soriano out to left for an RBI single that brings Zimmerman in to finally break the tie. 2-1 DC after eight and a half. DC Manager Jim Riggleman sticks with Tyler Clippard. Clippard gets two outs but lets two on when Ryan Church's single moves Yunel Escobar to third after Escobard had taken a one-out walk. Riggleman finally brings on the closer, Mike MacDougal, who throws four-straight fastballs to Omar Infante and finally jams him to get the groundout the Nationals needed for their 56th win in 159.

Nationals win, 2-1 final.

• Miss The Game, The DC Faithful Are Still Watching...

• Check Out The SB Nation's Atlanta Braves Blog: Talking Chop.

• "Game 159: Nats continue to dominate junk-time" - Doghouse.

For The Completists, Full Game Report After The JUMP...

Nationals now 56-103.

• (ed. note - "Numbers"): Garrett Anderson collected his 2,500th hit tonight, congrats. Adam Dunn once again failed to hit a HR, and now only has 3 games to hit two dingers for 40 in 6-straight seasons...Dunn's now 0 for 26 in the last 7 games and he hasn't hit a HR since September 22nd against Los Angeles. Dunn's hitless streak has dropped his AVG from .280 on 9/23 when last hit in a game to .266 after he's held hitless tonight in 3 AB's...

GAME REPORT:

Washington Nationals At Atlanta Braves. Game 159 Of 162.

Willie Harris goes back up the middle with a leadoff single to start the game against Atlanta right-hander Tommy Hanson. Ian Desmond grounds to Martin Prado, Yunel Escobar, Adam LaRoche, double play. Adam Dunn K’s swinging through a full-count fastball and it’s time for the Braves’ first...Nate McLouth grounds out to Dunn at first. Martin Prado makes Garrett Mock throw nine pitches before taking a full-count fastball for ball four. Chipper Jones ends the inning with a ground ball to Pete Orr to Ian Desmond to Adam Dunn, double play.

Ryan Zimmerman leads off the second against Tommy Hanson. Zim K’s tryng to check his swing on a bender in the dirt. Mike Morse swings through a two-strike curve high in the zone. Pete Orr gets six straight fastballs from Hanson, who gets a groundout to first to end the top of the frame...Mike Morse glides back to catch the first out off Brian McCann’s bat. Garrett Anderson slaps a single up the middle with one down. Yunel Escobar singles on a 3-1 fastball. Two on for Adam LaRoche. LaRoche grounds out to Adam Dunn. Garrett Mock walks Ryan Church to bring Tommy Hanson up with the bases loaded. Hanson grounds back to the mound, still 2-0.

Chipper Jones dives, jumps up and fires to first to get Justin Maxwell to start the third. Wil Nieves K’s swinging a foot away from where Hanson’s curve ends up. Garrett Mock pops up over the mound to end the Nationals’ third...Nate McLouth destroys a 1-0 fastball from Mock, and it’s out to left in a hurry, HR. 1-0 Braves. Martin Prado doubles off the left field wall and now it’s Mock vs Chipper with a RISP. Mock walks C. Jones to get to Brian McCann, who plays along with DP grounder to second.Garrett Anderson grounds out to Pete Orr to end the third.

Willle Harris singles through second to start the fourth. Ian Desmond flies deep enough to center for Willie Harris to take second. Adam Dunn takes a one-out walk to bring Ryan Zimmerman up with two on. Zimmerman drives a fastball to right and off the 390ft mark on the wall, Harris scores, Dunn pulls up and returns to third on what ends up a bad throw in. 1-1 ballgame. Mike Morse flails at a two-strike curve outside. Pete Orr flies out to center to end the fourth...Ryan Zimmerman cuts off a high chopper from Yunel Escobar, spins and throws on one-hop to Adam Dunn who collects it. Adam LaRoche K’s swinging at a full-count fastball. Ryan Church grounds out to Dunn...

Justin Maxwell grounds out to Adam LaRoche at first. Wil Nieves beats LaRoche to the line with a single to right. Garrett Mock K’s trying to bunt. Willie Harris K’s swinging. 1-1 after four and a half...Garrett Mock walks Hanson to start the Braves’ fifth, but he gets a DP grounder from Martin Prado to erase the leadoff baserunner. Mock gets Prado swinging and it's 1-1 after five.

Tommy Hanson gets Ian Desmond, Adam Dunn and Zimmerman in order in the sixth, and Garrett Mock gets groundouts from Chipper Jones and Brian McCann before Garrett Anderson lines a single to center with two out in the Braves’ sixth. Yunel Escobar grounds to short, and it’s 1-1 heading into the seventh...Hanson gets a groundball to short from Mike Morse. Pete Orr K’s staring a 2-2 curve into the zone. Justin Maxwell battles and eventually gets a slider outside that he can punch into right for a two-out single. J-Max steals second with Wil Nieves at bat. Nieves walks with two down. Cristian Guzman gets a PH appearance. Hanson busts him inside with sliders to get a swinging K and preserve the tie...Tyler Clippard gives up a leadoff walk in the Braves’ seventh. Ryan Church grounds to second, Orr tosses to Desmond who throws high to first to pull Dunn off the bag. Church safe. Brooks Conrad gets a PH chance and he K’s staring at a two-strike fastball down the pipe. Nate McLouth grounds out to first to end the seventh.

Mike Gonzalez vs Willie Harris. Harris flies out to Ryan Church in right. Ian Desmond lines to third, Chipper Jones stabs it, but drops it and throws out Desmond at first. Adam Dunn grounds out to second, 1-1 in the eighth...Martin Prado K’s looking at an 0-2 fastball. Chipper Jones K’s swinging. Brian McCann swings through a fastball to end the eighth.

Rafael Soriano’s going to pitch the top of the ninth. Ryan Zimmerman explodes on a fastball that hangs up inside and he doubles off the left-center wall. Big Mike Morse tips strike three into McCann’s glove. Pinch Hittin’ Pete Orr rips a cut fastball to left, Zimmerman scores, 2-1 DC, Orr on second. Orr steals third as J-Max K’s. Wil Nieves K’s looking, 2-1 in the middle of the ninth...Tyler Clippard vs Garrett Anderson. Orr Belliard’s a grounder, dropping and throwing to first, in time!! Yunel Escobar walks in front of Adam LaRoche flies out to left center. Ryan Church singles by first, Escobar takes third. Omar Infante grounds toward third, Ryan Zimmerman jumps on it and throws to second from his knees, got him! Nationals win, 2-1 final.

Nationals now 56-103.

Atlanta Braves' Playoff Hopes Still Alive, Courtesy of Washington's Nationals. Braves win, 11-5.

Ed Chigliak — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 02:17:48 -0000

More photos » by Luis Alvarez - AP

2 months ago: Atlanta Braves' Chipper Jones, left, slides safely into home plate on a two-run single by Atlanta Braves' Yunel Escobar as Washington Nationals catcher Josh Bard, right, waits for the ball during the first inning of a baseball game, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2009, in Washington.(AP Photo/Luis M. Alvarez)

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• Any hope of a bottom of the ninth inning comeback walk-off win in this afternoon's rain-soaked affair with Atlanta ended in the top of the final frame when DC closer Mike MacDougal, late-inning lefty Ron Villone and Logan Kensing combined to allow 5 runs on 6 hits to turn a two-run game into an 11-4 Braves' blowout. The Nationals rallied for a run in the bottom of the ninth which would have made it a one-run game, but instead they lose for the 102nd time this season when Braves' Manager Bobby Cox calls on his closer, Rafael Soriano, to get the final out and Soriano strikes out Mike Morse to end the second of three for ATL in DC.

• DC starter Garrett Mock went just 5.0 innings on Saturday, giving up 7 hits, 4 walks and 6 runs, 4 earned, against ATL right-hander Tommy Hanson, who improved to (W, 11-4) with a 7.0 inning outing in which he allowed just 4 hits, 1 HR and 4 ER. Hanson walked 1 and K'd 7 before he was replaced on the mound by Mike Gonzalez, who pitched a scoreless eighth. Eric O'Flaherty gave up a walk, 3 hits and one earned run and recorded two outs, before Rafael Soriano wrapped it up to complete the ninth.

• E, 136, 137, 138. The Braves didn't need any help in their fifth-straight win, but the Nationals gave it to them anyway with Pete Orr and Elijah Dukes committing errors that led directly to runs. E: 136 - Pete Orr's 4th error of 2009 occured in the first, after a one-out RBI single by Brian McCann got Atlanta out to an early 1-0 lead. Garrett Mock struck Garrett Anderson out, but gave up a two-out, two-run single to Yunel Escobar that made it 2-0. Mock decided to give left-hander Adam LaRoche the intentionals to bring Matt Diaz up. Diaz hit a dribbler toward third, Pete Orr (aka Not Ryan Zimmerman) charged and tried to make a quick play but held up mid-throw and ended up bouncing the ball off his own thigh and across the infield grass as two more scored. OUTCOME: 4-0 Atlanta lead. E: 137 -...

• E 136 and 137 - After The JUMP...PLUS: What Did I Learn This Weekend?

• E: 137: Top of the second, Braves' infielder Martin Prado unloads on a 1-0 fastball from Mock and lines it off the left field wall for a one-out double. Chipper Jones steps up, and lines a first-pitch change to right, but right at Elijah Duk-- Dukes misses it, and the ball bounces off his leg and rolls away, OUTCOME: Prado scores, 5-0 Atlanta. Dukes commits his 7th error of 2009. E: 138 - Top of the ninth, ATL SS Yunel Escobar stands on second after having doubled in the Braves' 10th run. Adam LaRoche shoots a low liner to right and it bounces in front of a charging Elijah Dukes, who misjudges the skip off the wet grass and has it go by him allowing Escobar to score easily from second. LaRoche takes second. OUTCOME: 11-4 Atlanta.

• What Did I Learn This Weekend?

This was my last chance this year to catch the Washington Nationals live, so I took two days off work and made the drive down to DC. As I prepare to leave the nation's capital, however, my feelings are mixed. There's no one turning out at the games anymore. The majority of the fans there the last two games were sporting Braves' gear, and there was a noticeable (and, yes, still slightly insensitive) tomahawk chop chant to be heard each time something went right for Atlanta, but who can blame Washington fans for not turning out to watch a 100+ loss team? I'd almost say that the same sort of apathy which overtook the Montreal Expos' fans in the years preceding their departure had set in...Almost...but what has me thinking there is hope is what I heard from the writers and friends I've made amongst the DC Faithful, who are no less interested, though maybe slightly less enthusiastic, about what the future holds for the Washington Nationals...Here are the TOP 3: Things I Learned:

1) Everyone is concerned about Jesus Flores. I'm not going to say exactly how, but I had the opportunity to see Mr. Flores after Friday night's game, and after seeing his arm in a sling and hearing him talking about beginning yet more rehab on his injured right shoulder, all those of us there could think about was how the Nationals' 24-year-old catcher will recover. Flores, a Rule 5 pick who started the '07 campaign on the roster out of necessity, and appeared in a part-time role most of the year, missed considerable time last season after suffering a left ankle sprain on a play at the plate involving Chase Utley, and now the '09 season will end with Flores having appeared in just 29 games. The good news is that in the small sample size Flores provided this year, he showed that he still had it, hitting .301 with 3 doubles, 2 triples and 4 HR's while collecting 15 RBI's in 93 AB's over which he posted a .371 OBP with a .505 SLG and an .877 OPS...What will Flores be like when he returns? Will he pick up where he left off? And how much has it hurt him to miss so much time at this important stage of his development?

2) There is a lot of leftover memorabilia lying around? I'm not going to say who did it, he can identify himself if he chooses, but someone everyone here at Federal Baseball is familiar with turned up in a #22 John Patterson jersey this weekend courtesy of the Nationals' end of the year sales? Game used baseballs, signed jerseys from players past, Inaugural year scorecards, someone working for the Nationals must have cleaned out a closet, so if you're one of those people who will take anything and everything that has to do with the Nationals, I'd suggest making your way to Nationals Park in the next few days, cause they're pretty much giving it away.

3) Not everyone is sure about drafting Bryce Harper #1 overall next year? There weren't too many people who thought the Nationals should pass on Stephen Strasburg, but when it comes to Bryce Harper, a 16-year-old catcher, who's made his name putting up gaudy numbers in high school, there is some debate? When would you expect a catcher who'll turn 17 in a few weeks to be able to compete in the Majors? If Strasburg just got $15 million+, how much will Harper (and inevitably Boras) want? Will the Nationals be willing to set a new standard in back to back drafts? Will Harper still be the consensus #1 next June? Will he actually be eligible for the 2010 draft?

BONUS: What Did I Learn?

4) Everyone's excited about AFL!!! Keep your playoffs, it's the Arizona Fall League DC fans are waiting for...

Torre On The Verge Of Entering Select Company

Eric Stephen — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 16:00:32 -0000

More photos » by Gene J. Puskar - AP

Joe Torre is close to clinching his 14th straight playoff berth.

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The Dodgers went through loads of extra security upon arrival into Pittsburgh yesterday, with the G-20 Summit in town the same time as the Dodgers. Perhaps their offense didn't make it past the Secret Service in time for the game. No matter, because the scales are still heavily tipped in favor of the Dodgers in terms of making the playoffs and winning the division.

The Dodgers will make the playoff with one more win, or one more loss by the Braves. That could come as soon as this morning, as the Braves are set to play the Nationals at 10am.

Once the Dodgers clinch a playoff berth, it will be Joe Torre's 14th consecutive playoff appearance, tying the record set by Bobby Cox four seasons ago. Here is a look at the two playoff runs of these two legendary managers:

Joe Torre	Manager	Bobby Cox
1996-2009	Years	1991-2005*
14	Playoff Appearances	14
12	Division Titles	14
2	Wild Card Berths	0
.598	Winning %	.606
6	Pennants	5
4	World Titles	1
2 (1996 & 1999)	Head-to-Head Wins	0
*The 1994 strike season is counted in Cox's win%

Randy Wolf has made 11 starts against the Pirates in his career, and his teams have won 10 of those games. Wolf himself is 7-1 with a 3.44 ERA and an estimated 2.95 FIP in his career against the Pirates.

Rafael Furcal got a single last night in the eighth inning to extend his hitting streak to nine games. He has reached base in 18 consecutive games, and is hitting .368/.442/.592 over that time.

Paul Maholm is 2-2 in his last six starts with a 2.72 ERA, and has pitched at least six innings in nine of his last 10 starts. Why, that's almost as good a run as Wolf, who has pitched six innings for 16 straight starts.

**********

Team	W-L	GB
Dodgers	92-62	---
Rockies	87-67	5
Braves	83-70	8½

Today's scoreboard watching

10:05 am
Braves (Tommy Hanson: 10-4, 3.66 FIP) at Nationals (Garrett Mock: 3-9, 4.17 FIP)
Gameday

The Dodgers can clinch a playoff spot today with a win OR a loss by Atlanta

5:10 pm
Cardinals (Adam Wainwright: 18-8, 3.23 FIP) at Rockies (Ubaldo Jimenez: 14-11, 3.35 FIP)

Now that is a pitching matchup! The Dodgers' magic number to clinch the NL West is three.

**********

Check out Xeifrank's simulation of today's game here.

Don't forget to RSVP for True Blue LA Day at Dodger Stadium, on the next-to-last day of the regular season, October 3 against the Rockies. There are five tickets left.

Get your guesses in for our today's "One, Two, Three Strikes, You're Out," here.

Game Time: 4:05pm

TV: Prime Ticket

Baseball Reference Preview

New York Mets Too Much For Washington Nationals, 6-2 Mets Sunday.

Ed Chigliak — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 21:12:23 -0000

More photos » by Henny Ray Abrams - AP

2 months ago: Washington Nationals' starting pitcher Garrett Mock delivers in the first inning of the baseball game against the New York Mets at Citi Field in New York, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2009. (AP Photo/Henny Ray Abrams)

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Game Notes:

• Ian Desmond's decision to throw home in the second when Mets’ catcher Josh Thole bounced a grounder off DC starter Garrett Mock with a runner on third, may not have ultimately been a good one, but it was an aggressive play, and the extra runner that Desmond let on didn’t cost the Nationals. Jim Riggleman, Garrett Mock and catcher Jamie Burke’s decision to pitch to the Mets' catcher in the 7-spot with one down, a runner on third and the .250-hitting Wilson Valdez up next with the Mets' pitcher John Maine to follow...Well...1-0 NY...And Valdez did ground into a DP in the next AB for the record...(ed. note - " I know, It's not like Thole's a .300+ hitting backstop that you have to avoid pitching to, I know, he's a rookie called up from Doubl...What? He is hitting over .300? Whatever...pitch to him, go ahead...")

• Runners on first and second after back to back singles in the third. Garrett Mock fields a grounder from David Wright, but double pumps before throwing to second for the force, Ian Desmond can’t get the ball out of his glove to make the DP throw to first. First and third for Carlos Beltran, who takes a two-seam fastball back up the middle for an RBI single. Daniel Murphy doubles in the next AB, Wright and Beltran score, 4-0 NY.

More Game Notes After The JUMP...But First

Historical Note: When the Washington Nationals do eventually lose their 100th game of 2009, two or three games from now, it will be the first time in franchise history going back to 1969 with Montreal that a team has had back-to-back 100-loss seasons, and it will be the first time a DC-based franchise drops 100 or more in two-straight season since the Washington Senators (now the Texas Rangers) finished with 100+ losses in 4 consecutive seasons from 1961-64. The Original Senators, (now the Twins), had 5 100-Loss seasons, but never back-to-back...

• Mets win, 6-2 final.

• "Game 149: No heros or goats, only FAIL" - Doghouse

For The Completists, Full Game Report After The JUMP...

Nationals now 51-98.

Game Notes (cont)...

• With WIlson Valdez on first and Angel Pagan up with two out in the Mets’ fourth, new Nationals’ back stop Jamie Burke’s tested for the first time. Valdez breaks for second, Burke’s throw is right over the bag, Desmond catches it and tags Valdez for Burke’s first caught stealing as a National. Burke’s first RBI opp comes in the top of the fifth, first and third, one out, and Burke K’s swinging through a high fastball. The pitcher follows with a groundout and it’s 4-0 NY after four and a half.

• John Maine dominates DC, but he’s on a pitch count, so he’s out after 5.0 scoreless over which he strikes out just 1, and holds the Nationals to 2 hits and 1 walk. Maine throws 75 of the 80 pitches he was scheduled to throw, 50 of them for strikes, and gets 5 groundouts and 9 fly outs out of the 18 batters he faces before he hands it to the Mets’ bullpen...Garrett Mock through 5.0, you ask? 5.0 IP, 8 hits, 4 ER, 1 BB, 3 K’s, 82 pitches, 55 for strikes, 8 groundouts and 3 flyouts from 22 batters faced.

Mock ends up throwing 115 pitches, 74 for strikes, over 7.0 IP, allowing 9 hits, 4 runs and 2 walks while striking out 5 and getting 10 groundouts and 5 flyouts from the 30 batters he faces. Mock’s replaced by Zack Segovia, who give up a leadoff single Carlos Beltran that’s erased by a line drive to second by Daniel Murphy that’s an easy DP when Alberto Gonzalez makes the catch with Beltran running. Segovia then walks two batters with two down and is replaced by Victor Garate, who gives up a two-out, two-run triple to the corner in right, 6-0 Mets. Logan Kensing comes on and walks the first batter he faces, Fernando Tatis, but strikes out Pagan to end a long eighth.

• The Nationals mount a rally in the ninth with back to back RBI doubles by Ryan Zimmerman and Adam Dunn, who collect their 97th and 101st RBI’s of the year after a one-out infield single by Ian Desmond. Josh Willingham takes strike three, Elijah Dukes walks and Francisco Rodriguez comes on to get the last out with a backwards K of Cristian Guzman.

The Mets clinch 4th and the season series with the Washington Nationals, going up 10-5 with 4 games remaining.

GAME REPORT:

Washington Nationals At New York Mets. Game 149 Of 162.

Willie Harris smacks a 1-2 pitch right to Jeff Francoeur, who catches the first out of the day. Ian Desmond flies out to Carlos Beltran in center. Ryan Zimmerman grounds out to short, Wilson Valdez fires from deep in the hole to get Mets’ right-hander John Maine through a scoreless first...Angel Pagan doubles to the wall in right with a low liner on an 0-2 pitch that DC righty Garrett Mock leaves up in the zone. Ryan Zimmerman charges and throws out Luis Castillo on what would have been a bunt single but is instead a sac. David Wright stares a full-count curve all the way in for a called strike three. Carlos Beltran grounds out to second and Alberto Gonzalez’s throw ends the first...

Adam Dunn grounds to first, Daniel Murphy tosses it a little to high to the covering pitcher. Josh Willingham pops out behind the plate. Elijah Dukes hits a one-hop liner to Luis Castillo to end the second scoreless frame for Maine...Daniel Murphy rips a line drive to the outfield just right of center and an odd bounce off the wall turns a double into a triple. Garrett Mock busts Jeff Francoeur inside with a two-strike fastball for a swinging K. Josh Thole grounds back to the mound and off Mock’s glove, and Ian Desmond tries for the play at home, but the throw is late. 1-0 NY. Wilson Valdez grounds to short, Desmond fields, steps on second and throws to first, double play.

Alberto Gonzalez grounds out to short. Jamie Burke in his first DC AB, works the count full and walks. Garrett Mock pops up a bunt, but it drops in for a sac. Willie Harris pops out to Angel Pagan in left to end the third scoreless for John Maine...Maine pops out in his first AB of the day. Angel Pagan drops a soft liner into short center for a one-out single off Mock. Luis Castillo lines to right to put two on for David Wright. David Wright grounds back to Mock, who takes out the runner at second but can’t get a DP, Desmond holds on to it after struggling on the exchange. Carlos Beltran singles up the middle on a two-seam fastball outside. 2-0 NY as Pagan scores from third. Daniel Murphy hits a carbon-copy of his first triple, though this time it’s a two-run double off the wall in right center. 4-0 NY. Jeff Francoeur pops out to end the third.

Ian Desmond gets jammed and pops out to Beltran in short center. Ryan Zimmerman pops out to Daniel Murphy foul of first. Adam Dunn pops out to left...Josh Thole grounds out to second base to start the Mets’ fourth. Wilson Valdez takes a one-out walk from Mock. John Maine K’s trying to bunt with two strikes. Angel Pagan up when Valdez gets caught trying to steal second. Jamie Burke throws out the first baserunner who tests him, nailing Valdez on the attempted stolen base.

Josh Willingham singles to right for the Nationals’ first hit. Elijah Dukes pops out to second on the first pitch he sees. Dukes doesn’t run to first, Castillo catches it anyway, sparing Dukes embarrassment. Alberto Gonzalez punches a hit and run single through second. Jamie Burke K’s swinging through a high fastball from Maine and Garrett Mock grounds out to end DC’s fifth, stranding two...Angel Pagan grounds to second base for the first out of NY’s fifth. Mock’s still in, and he gives up a single to Luis Castillo, who promptly takes second for the first SB off the Nationals’ catcher. David Wright flies to deeep center on a 3-0 pitch. Castillo takes third. Carlos Beltran grounds to third, and Ryan Zimmerman makes it look easy. 4-0 NY after five.

Elmer Dessens takes over for the Mets in the sixth inning. David Wright and Wilson Valdez converge on a foul pop from Willie Harris, but they both let it drop. Harris flies out to short left. Ian Desmond’s robbed on a scorched single to second that Daniel Murphy dives for and stabs. Two down. Ryan Zimmerman flies out to Pagan to end a quick sixth...Daniel Murphy pops out to Ian Desmond in short left. Desmond throws out Jeff Francoeur on a weak grounder to short. Mock walks Thole with two down. Wilson Valdez flies out to Dukes in right. Still 4-0 NY.

Adam Dunn starts the seventh against Dessens with a fly ball out to Pagan in left. Josh Willingham pops out to Luis Castillo at second. Elijah Dukes flies out to Carlos Beltran in center. 7.0 scoreless frames...Pinch hitter Cory Sullivan vs Mock to start the seventh. Mock throws a high fastball by Sullivan for a swinging K. Angel Pagan sneaks a fly ball to center in front of Willie Harris. Luis Castillo grounds to second, Alberto Gonzalez takes out the lead runner. David Wright up with two down, one on. Mock strikes Wright out with another fastball up and in.

Sean Green starts the eighth for NY against Alberto Gonzalez. Gonzalez grounds out to short for Wilson Valdez. Pinch Hittin’ Pete Orr grounds out to second. Josh Bard grounds out to second too to end the eighth scoreless for the Nationals...Carlos Beltran smokes a low liner to right for a leadoff single. Daniel Murphy lines to second with Beltran running, Alberto Gonzalez fields and throws to first, double play. Jeff Francoeur walks with two down. Mets’ catcher Josh Thole takes the second two-out walk and DC Manager Jim Riggleman’s seen enough. Victor Garate vs WIlson Valdez. Two-run triple to right for Valdez, 6-0 NY. Logan Kensing replaces Garate and walks Fernando Tatis with two down. Angel Pagan K’s swinging through a full-count fastball to end the eighth.

Brian Stokes takes over in the ninth. Willie Harris pops out to the catcher. Ian Desmond hits an excuse-me single a foot in front of home and beats it out. Ryan Zimmerman hits an RBI line drive to left center to finally get the Nationals on the board, Desmond scores, Zimmerman in at second, 6-1 NY. Adam Dunn doubles Zimmerman in from second with an RBI single, 6-2. Josh Willingham takes a two-strike slider outside for a backwards K. Elijah Dukes uses his Discerning Eye to draw a two-out walk. Cristian Guzman will have to face Francisco Rodriguez. Guzman flinches at a backdoor change inside that breaks into the zone for a called strike three. Mets win, 6-2 final.

Nationals now 51-98.

Cliff Lee Throws Complete Game Shutout, Philadelphia Phillies 5, Washington Nationals 0.

Ed Chigliak — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 03:12:18 -0000

More photos » by Matt Slocum - AP

"ZIM Turns The DP!!!" -- Washington Nationals third baseman Ryan Zimmerman, top, jumps over Philadelphia Phillies' Chase Utley after throwing to first to complete a double play in the first inning of a baseball game Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2009, in Philadelphia. Utley was out at second and Ryan Howard was out at first. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

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A Tale Of Two Pitchers...

Garrett Mock needed 48 pitches to get through the first two innings against the Philadelphia Phillies, over which the Washington Nationals' starter allowed 6 hits (3 doubles, 3 singles), 1 walk and 5 ER, on an RBI single by Chase Utley in the first, a bases-clearing double by Carlos Ruiz in the second, and a two-out single by Jimmy Rollins, (who scored on Utley's first-inning single), to make it 5-0 Philly after two. With the pressure off, the Nationals’ 26-year-old right-hander let just three runners on over the next four innings, ending the night after having thrown 107 pitches in 6.0 innings in which he surrendered 7 hits, 2 walks and 5 ER....

Cliff Lee, on the other hand, dominated the Nationals, throwing a complete game 6-hit shutout in which he walked 3 and K'd 9, collecting his fourteenth win, (14-11), and lowering his ERA to an even 3.00 with a 124-pitch performance in Citizens Bank Park. Lee gave up a leadoff double to Josh Bard in the third, but Alberto Gonzalez followed with a grounder to Utley at second with Bard running on contact and the slow-footed catcher was tagged out at third. The Nationals moved Gonzalez up with a sac bunt, but a Justin Maxwell grounder hit Gonzalez's leg to end any thought of a threat. The only other push the Nationals made came in the fourth when Lee allowed walks #40-41-42 in 216.0 IP on the season to load the bases before with two down before striking out Josh Bard with two sliders and a two-strike curve. The Nationals manage 4 more singles over the next five innings, but fail to score on Lee, who notches the 13th complete game and the 4th shutout of his 8-year MLB career...since being selected by the Montreal Expos in the 2000 Draft...

Phillies win, 5-0 final.

Miss The Game, The DC Faithful Were Watching.

Check Out The SB Nation's Philadelphia Phillies Blog: The Good Phight GameThread.

"Game 144: The Nats run away from it..." - by Doghouse.

BACKPAGE:

E: 122.

Strasburg Florida Bound.

Flores? Out 3-6 Months? (Separate Post: HERE)

For The Completists, Full Game Report After The JUMP....

Nationals now 50-94. (Countdown To 100 Losses Stands At...6)

BACKPAGE: (under construction)...

E: 123. - Philly shortstop Jimmy Rollins grounds sharply to first for what should be the third out of the fourth, but the ball eats up Adam Dunn and his oversized glove. Rollins takes second while Dunn sprints after the ball. Dunn's 14th error of 2009 is the MLB-Leading Nationals' 123rd in 144 games...Just think, with a few bounces, they could have made one error a game...uh...

Strasburg Florida Bound.

Pitchers: Stephen Strasburg, Drew Storen, Josh Smoker, A.J. Morris, Graham Hicks, Cleto Brazoban, OF: J.P. Ramirez, Destin Hood, Michael Burgess, IF: Jeff Kobernus, C: Adrian Nieto, those are the names that jumped out for me in the list that Washington Post writer Chico Harlan included in a Nationals Journal post today entitled, "Roster For Florida Instructional League", which announced the roster that will play a, "15-game schedule (which) begins on Sept. 24." Check the link above or click HERE for the full list.

GAME REPORT:

Washington Nationals At Philadelphia Phillies. Game 144 Of 162.

Justin Maxwell gets a diving 1-2 curve from Cliff Lee and K’s swinging a good foot above it. Cristian Guzman swings waaay ahead of a two-strike change. Ryan Zimmerman fouls strike three into the catcher’s mitt...Jimmy Rollins doubles off the base of the right field wall off Garrett Mock. Shane Victorino drops a bunt in front of the plate for Josh Bard to handle. Rollins to third. Chase Utley sneaks a blooper over the shift for an RBI single to right. 1-0 Phillies. The Nationals are in the shift again with Ryan Howard up, and they get the rare Alberto Gonzalez to Ryan Zimmerman to Adam Dunn double play.

Adam Dunn flies out to the right field warning track. Shane Victorino slowly steps back toward the wall to catch Josh Willingham’s fly ball to center. Elijah Dukes takes the first pitch to deep center, for Victorino again...Raul Ibanez rips a liner by Zimmerman at third for a leadoff double in front of Werth. Jayson Werth drops a bloop single over second to move Ibanez to third. Pedro Feliz walks to load the bases and Carlos Ruiz knocks in three with a hard-hit grounder into the left field corner for a 4-0 lead. Justin Maxwell slides in over the grass to catch a fly ball from Cliff Lee. Jimmy Rollins singles back up the middle to score Ruiz, 5-0 Phillies. Shane Victorino grounds into a force at second. Chase Utley flies out to left to end the second.

Josh Bard lines a double to center that gets by Victorino and reaches the wall. Alberto Gonzalez grounds to second, Utley throws to third to catch Bard, who was running on contact. Garrett Mock bunts Gonzalez over to second. Justin Maxwell grounds to short and it hits Alberto Gonzalez, who’s out...Ryan Howard grounds out to Dunn at first. Raul Ibanez grounds out to Gonzalez at second. Jayson Werth lines a 3-1 fastball to left field for a two-out single. Pedro Feliz takes a fastball inside for a called strike three.

Cristian Guzman leads off the fourth with a walk from Lee which is so improbable it hurts. Ryan Zimmerman flies out unproductively to right. Adam Dunn takes a one-out walk. Josh Willingham K’s trying to hold up on a two-strike curve that drops out of the air. Elijah Dukes uses his Discerning Eye to draw a two-out walk in front of Bard. Josh Bard K’s swinging over an 0-2 bender. 5-0 Phillies...Carlos Ruiz sends a long fly ball to left, Willingham leaps at the wall to make the grab. Cliff Lee grounds out to second. Adam Dunn misplays a grounder from Jimmy Rollins, who’s standing on second when Dunn collects it. Victorino grounds to second.

Alberto Gonzalez lines out to right field. Garrett Mock hits a grounder up the middle and he’s safe at first when Utley throws it away, but Carlos Ruiz is backing up first and he throws Mock out by three steps at second. Justin Maxwell flies out to end DC’s fifth...Chase Utley flies out to left center. Ryan Howard rips a one-hopper to first for Adam Dunn to handle. Jayson Werth flies out to Maxwell in center to end the fifth.

Cristian Guzman starts the sixth with a line drive right at Jimmy Rollins. Ryan Zimmerman’s bat breaks in half when he grounds out to second. Adam Dunn lifts a single over the shift with two down to bring up Josh Willingham. Willingham grounds out to short on a 1-0 pitch from Cliff Lee...5-0 Philly in the sixth...Pedro Feliz barely connects with a change that ends up rolling out to first. Carlos Ruiz lines to center, Justin Maxwell sprints in and dives forward to rob Ruiz of a single. Mock gets the opposing pitcher looking at an 0-2 bender.

Elijah Dukes vs Cliff Lee in the seventh. Dukes grounds out to Jimmy Rollins. Josh Bard takes a two-strike fastball. Alberto Gonzalez reaches down for a curve but just grounds out to third...Saul Rivera starts the bottom of the seventh against Jimmy Rollins. Ground ball out to first from Rollins. Shane Victorino grounds softly to short and reaches ahead of Guzman’s throw. Ron Villone replaces Rivera. Chase Utley grounds out to first to move Victorino up. Villone walks Ryan Howard with two down. Raul Ibanez grounds weakly to short, and claims it was off his foot.

Mike Morse K’s swinging over a two-strike curve. Justin Maxwell hits a one-out single to center for just the 5th hit off Cliff Lee. Cristian Guzman flies out to center. Ryan Zimmerman flies out again...Logan Kensing’s on in the eight for DC against Jayson Werth. Werth lines a fastball to center to start Philly’s eighth. Pedro Feliz grounds to short, Zimmerman to Alberto Gonzalez to Dunn, double play. Carlos Ruiz doubles off the base of the left field wall and just beats Willingham’s throw back in. Cliff Lee takes strike three.

Cliff Lee gets a fly ball out to left from Adam Dunn to start the ninth. Josh Willingham keeps hope alive with a line drive single to left. Elijah Dukes takes a 1-2 fastball inside for a called strike three. Cliff Lee dials it up to get Josh Bard swinging to end the complete game 5-0 shutout.

Nationals now 50-94.

Expos' Pick Ian Desmond Debuts In DC!! Washington Nationals 8-7 Over Philadelphia Phillies.

Ed Chigliak — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 03:16:03 -0000

More photos » by Manuel Balce Ceneta - AP

3 months ago: Washington Nationals' Ian Desmond flies out to deep left, while Philadelphia Phillies catcher Carlos Ruiz, left, looks on during the seventh inning of a baseball game, Thursday, Sept. 10, 2009, in Washington. Desmond homered and drove in four runs in his major league debut and the Nationals won 8-7. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

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Ian Desmond is a product of the last Expos' Draft class, selected by Montreal with the 84th pick in the 3rd Round of the 2004 Draft. (ed .note- "Two spots before teammate Garrett Mock went to the current-DC GM Mike Rizzo and the D-Backs in The RZO's old gig as Arizona's Scouting Director..."). Desmond played 639 games over six seasons in the Nationals' system before DC Skipper Jim Riggleman penciled the 23-year-old in at short tonight for his MLB debut against the defending World Series champion Philadelphia Phillies, and Desmond did not disappoint...Batting seventh behind Elijah Dukes, Desmond was 2 for 4 with 4 RBI's, his first MLB double and his first Major League HR, a three-run blast off Philly righty Joe Blanton, that ends up being the game-winner when the Phillies rally for 5 runs in the ninth but fall short in the 8-7 loss to DC. Did I mention that Desmond almost cleared the center field stands with the HR? The kid hit Blanton's hanging curve so far it almost hit the Red Porch Restaurant!! Nationals win, Livan Hernandez gets the W!!! What more could you ask for out of Desmond's debut? Who said something about his error? Huh? Who was it?

Nationals win, 8-7 final.

Miss The GAME? The DC Faithful Were Watching.

Check Out The SB Nation's Philadelphia Phillies Blog: The Good Phight!

• "Game 140: Interesting In The Corderoan Sense" by Doghouse.

BACKPAGE:

• Spotlight On Ian Desmond!

• E: 121.

• #36: Ask And You Shall Receive.

For The Completists, Full Game Report After The JUMP!!!!

Nationals now 48-92.

BACKPAGE:

• Spotlight On Ian Desmond. DOES HE LOOK NERVOUS AT ALL???

Ian Desmond

#6 / Short Stop / Washington Nationals

Height: 6-2

Weight: 210

Bats: R

Throws: R

Born: Sep 20, 1985

'09 Stats:

• Double-AA Harrisburg - 42 G, 170 AB's, 52 H, 12 2B, 1 3B, 6 HR's, 18 RBI's, 13 SB, .372 OBP, .494 SLG, .866 OPS.

• Triple-AAA Syracuse - 55 G, 178 AB's, 63 H, 12 2B, 2 3B, 1 HR, 14 RBI's, 8 SB, .428 OBP, .461 SLG, .889 OPS.

Origin Story - Montreal Expos' 3rd Round pick 84th overall in 2004.

• MLB Debut - 9/10/09: 2 for 4, 1 2B, 1 HR, 4 RBI's!!!

• Ian Desmond's first MLB AB came in the Nationals' second. The 23-year-old, right-handed hitting shortstop fouled off a first-pitch slider from Joe Blanton and then connected with a 90 mph fastball, sending it soaring out to center where Shane Victorino made the grab. Desmond's second AB comes in the fourth, and his first MLB hit is an RBI double off the out-of-town scoreboard in right center to score Elijah Dukes from first after Dukes had singled in front of the rookie. Desmond's on second when Wil Nieves walks and starter Livan Hernandez steps up. Livan tries to bunt, and the catcher and pitcher both go for it, so Desmond tries for home, sprinting around third as Chase Utley throws back to the pitcher from first, Desmond slides in headfirst as the pitcher applies the tag, "You'rrre OUT!" yells the Ump. The next time Desmond and Blanton meet in the fifth, there are two men on when Josh Willingham and Dukes take back-to-back walks, and Desmond gets hold of a first-pitch curve that ends up twenty rows back in center field and almost into the Red Porch Restaurant. 3-run HR for Desmond. In the fourth and final AB of Desmond's debut, the Nationals...next...shortstop?...flies out on a 1-1 fastball from Chad Durbin. How was Desmond in the field...

• E: 121.

So what if Ian Desmond's 1st MLB Error came after his first double and his first home run, and so what if it came with Washington up 8-2 in the ninth, and sorta started a chain of events that eventually led to the Philadelphia Philllies having runners on 1st and 3rd with one out in a one-run game...So what if it's the 121st error of the League-Leading-Nationals' '09 season...E: 121 - Ian Desmond fields a grounder from Jayson Werth to short and sails the throw over first...OUTCOME: After Werth reaches on the E, Pedro Feliz singles, Carlos Ruiz walks and pinch hitter extraordinaire Matt Stairs hits a GRAND SLAM that makes an 8-2 game 8-6. DC right-hander Zack Segovia, who should've had two outs, ends up getting pulled, and his replacement Mike MacDougal gives up another run, forcing DC Skipper Jim Riggleman to bring in Ron Villone, who gives up a single to Chase Utley but gets a DP from Ryan Howard to finally end it at 8-7.

• #36: Ask And You Shall Receive.

From today's GameThread "?'s For The DC Faithful...", written two hours before the game started:

• #36 Donkey? No Rush, Whenever You're Ready....

Yes, I asked for it, and yes, I got it!! Adam Dunn, The Big Opposite Field!! Dunn Did It Again! For the 36th time this season, Adam Du--SHAKE N BAKE!! SHAKE N BAKE!! Adam Dunn left the yard, taking Joe Blanton and his weak 3-1 change deep to left and into the visitor's bullpen to put Washington up 5-2 two batters before Desmond's 3-run HR gave DC 8...

GAME REPORT:

Philadelphia Phillies At Washington Nationals. Game 140 Of 162.

Nationals’ right-hander Livan Hernandez, aka Mr. National Himself, gets a fly ball to center from Jimmy Rollins that Willie Harris gets under and grabs. Shane Victorino lines right by Pete Orr and into right for a single. Chase Utley lines an RBI triple off the out-of-town scoreboard to score Victorino for a 1-0 lead. Ryan Howard flies out to left center to score Utley. 2-0 Philly. Raul Ibanez grounds weakly to second to end the top of the first...Willie Harris’ groundout starts the Nationals’ half. Pete Orr K’s swinging over a bender in the dirt. Philly righty Joe Blanton gets Ryan Zimmerman, who misses a two-strike curve and K’s.

Jayson Werth drops a leadoff single into short left. Pedro Feliz flies out to left. Philly catcher Carlos Ruiz walks with one down. Joe Blanton bunts both runners over. Jimmy Rollins flies out to center to end the top of the second...Adam Dunn flies out to right. Josh Willingham’s safe on a weak grounder to short when Jimmy Rollins rushes and pulls Howard off the bag with his throw. Josh Willingham’s running when Dukes K’s looking and the Hammer slides in safe at second. Ian Desmond lines one to center in his first MLB AB, but not far enough, 2-0 Phillies after two.

Shane Victorino sends a one-hopper to Adam Dunn at first. Chase Utley slices a fly ball out to left. Ryan Howard battles Livan but grounds out on a full-count curve to end the Phils’ third...Wil Nieves makes Blanton dance with a grounder back over the mound in front of Livan Hernandez. Livan’s sac bunt advances Nieves. Willie Harris works the count full and walks. Pete Orr lines a fastball from Blanton to right and into the gap, Nieves and Harris score, 2-2 ballgame. Ryan Zimmerman gets jammed and flies out to center, but Orr stays put at third. Adam Dunn grounds into the shift to end the third.

Ian Desmond fields and throws to first in time to get Raul Ibanez. Livan Hernandez throws a fastball by Jayson Werth. Ryan Zimmerman cuts in front of Desmond to throw out Pedro Feliz...Josh Willingham grounds out to third to start DC’s fourth. Elijah Dukes surprises everyone with a bunt toward third that’s good for a single. Ian Desmond steps in and lines a double to the right center gap, Dukes scores from first just ahead of the throw home, 3-2 DC on Desmond’s first MLB hit!!!! Wil Nieves takes a one-out walk. Livan Hernandez drops a bunt toward third, and is thrown out at first, Desmond tries to score, and gets tagged out by the pitcher. Double play.

Ian Desmond backs up into short center to catch a pop-up off Carlos Ruiz’s bat. Joe Blanton singles to center on a weak liner. Elijah Dukes charges in and ducks down to catch a line drive from Jimmy Rollins. Shane Victorino rolls one to Zimmerman who takes the force at second...Willie Harris flies to right, Jayson Werth gets there but misses it, Harris safe at second. Pete Orr K’s swinging through a change. Ryan Zimmerman flies out to center. Adam Dunn goes the other way annnnnd GONE!! SHAKE N BAKE!! SHAKE N BAKE!! Adam Dunn’s 36th HR is a two-run blast to the left field bullpen for a 5-2 DC lead. Josh Willingham walks with two down. Elijah Dukes uses his Discerning Eye to draw a two-out walk out of Blanton. Ian Desmond goes DEEEEP TO CENTER FIELD AND GONE!! 3-run blast, 8-2 Nationals. Tyler Walker takes over for Philly. Wil Nieves grounds to short, Jimmy Rollins backhands and throws it away. Nieves safe. Livan Hernandez pops out to the infield to end the fifth. 8-2 DC.

Livan gets a weak grounder to second from Chase Utley. Ryan Howard K’s looking, though he disagrees. Hernandez gets a line drive to second from Raul Ibanez to end Philly’s sixth...Willie Harris flies out to Ibanez. Pete Orr K’s swinging through a 2-2 fastball from Tyler Walker. Ryan Zimmerman pops out to end the sixth.

Wil Nieves catches a pop fly off Jayson Werth’s bat. Ian Desmond fields and fires to get Pedro Feliz at first. Carlos Ruiz waits on a curve and singles to right. Elijah Dukes goes back to the track to catch a fly ball off Andy Tracy’s bat for out number three...Chad Durbin vs Dunn in DC’s seventh. Dunn K’s looking at a fastball outside. Josh Willingham lifts a line drive to center and over Shane Victorino’s head. Elijah Dukes up, Justin Maxwell on to run for the Hammer. Elijah Dukes uses his Discerning Eye to draw a one-out walk. Ian Desmond flies out to the warning track in left. Wil Nieves grounds to second to end the seventh.

Jimmy Rollins starts the eighth with a single. Shane Victorino pops out harmlessly to right. Livan Hernandez is done. Sean Burnett gets a weak grounder to third from Utley, Zimmerman charges, barehands and throws to first. Burnett vs Ryan Howard. Ryan Howard grounds back to the mound, Burnett throws him out...Brad "Shaky" Lidge vs Jesus Flores. Flores pops out to the infield. Willie Harris triples to right and off the out-of-town!!! Pete Orr K’s on a ball in the dirt and has to run it out. Ryan Zimmerman’s making Brad Lidge work for the final out. Zimmerman K’s to end the eighth.

Zack Segovia’s making his DC debut. Raul Ibanez pops out to Desmond behind short. Ian Desmond fields a grounder from Jayson Werth and throws it over first for his first MLB E. Pedro Feliz grounds back to the mound and off Segovia for an infield single. Carlos Ruiz walks to load the bases. Segovia vs Matt Stairs. OH NOES!! HR to right and over the out-of-town for a Grand Slam HR! 8-6 Nationals. Mike MacDougal has to come out for some work. Jimmy Rollins singles to center. Shane Victorino rips a grounder by Zimmerman at third, Rollins scores, 8-7. Riggleman yanks MacDougal for Ron Villone against Utley. Utley sends a dribbler up the middle and Zimmerman gets to it but pockets it. Victorino to third with one down. Ryan Howard grounds weakly to second, Alberto Gonzalez tosses to Desmond at second to Morse at first, double play!!! Double Play!! DOUBLE PLAY! Nationals win.

Nationals now 48-92.

SBNation.com Goes LIVE!! Philadelphia Phillies Beat Washington Nationals, 6-5.

Ed Chigliak — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 03:34:31 -0000

More photos » by Nick Wass - AP

3 months ago: Philadelphia Phillies second baseman Chase Utley leaps up in vain for a single hit by Washington Nationals' Justin Maxwell during the third inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2009, in Washington.(AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Browse more photos »

SB NATION.WHAT? NEW SBNATION.com GOES LIVE!!!! MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT:

"SBNation.com will seek to do on a national level what each SB Nation network blog already does for its team or sport: provide the most timely, engaging and highest quality fan perspective information and conversation on the web."

QUICK GAME RECAP:

Justin Maxwell was halfway there. The Nationals' 25-year-old center fielder was just 2 for 12 since being called back up the to the big leagues on August 31st, but with his leadoff single in the ninth tonight he was 3 for 5 with a run scored, and when he stole second to put the tying run in scoring position, it looked like he would cap off his best night as a National by scoring the game-tying run in a tight 6-5 game against the Phillies. Philadelphia reliever (they're still not "saying" closer) Ryan Madson got Cristian Guzman looking with a 2-2 fastball for the first out of the frame, and Adam Dunn stepped to the plate with one out and a runner on second. Madson started Dunn with a fastball and a slider both in on the hands for a ball and a called strike, then he went outside with a fastball down in the zone that Dunn fouled off the far corner of the plate. Madson's 1-2 heater came in right down the middle and Dunn lined it...right to Chase Utley, who stepped on second to double up Maxwell. Ballgame. Phillies win two straight in DC.

Phillies win, 6-5 final.

• Miss The Game? The DC Faithful Were Watching.

• Check Out The SB Nation's Philadelphia Phillies Blog: The Good Phight Game Thread.

• "Game 139: A good one, but still a lose" - Doghouse.

BACKPAGE:

• More On The Game.

• E: 120.

• What's That 'Duk?

• For The Completists, Full Game Report After The JUMP...

Nationals now 47-92.

BACKPAGE:

Washington Nationals Drop 10th Of 13 To The Florida Marlins In '09, 9-6 Final.

Ed Chigliak — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 03:55:04 -0000

More photos » by Manuel Balce Ceneta - AP

3 months ago: Florida Marlins' Cameron Maybin, right, scores on a hit by teammate Nick Johnson during the second inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Friday, Sept. 4, 2009, in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

Browse more photos »

Three hours and forty-five minutes after it started, the Washington Nationals had dropped their seventh-straight overall and the 10th out of 13 games played between DC and their NL East "rivals", the Florida Marlins so far in 2009. About two hours and forty-five minutes before the game ended, DC starter Garrett Mock was pulled from the mound after having allowed 7 hits, 2 HR and 6 ER in just 3.0 innings pitched in which he threw a total of 81 pitches, just 50 of them for strikes. After having scored a total of 4 runs in their last 4 games, the Nationals manage to force 6 runs across against Florida starter Sean West and the Marlins' bullpen. 3 through 6 in the order, Ryan Zimmerman, Adam Dunn, Josh Willingham and Elijah Dukes are a combined 9 for 16, with 4 walks and 5 runs scored between them, but Josh Bard, batting seventh strands 10...seriously...Bard strands 10 runners and the Nationals fail to cash in on several opportunities to tie it. The Marlins continue their inexplicable domination of the Nationals...16,364 fans watch it live...at least that's more than the Fish get in Florida...

Marlins win, 9-6 final.

Miss The Game? The DC Faithful Were Watching...

Check Out The SB Nation's Florida Marlins Blog: FishStripes' Open Thread And Ichthyomancy.

"Game 135: Hope and FAIL" - Doghouse.

BACKPAGE:

• Part With Dukes? Why? Why? Why?

• Jesus Flores Returns. Sorta?

• MiLB.com's Jonathan Mayo Tweets About Storen.

For The Completists, Full Game Report After The JUMP...

Nationals now 46-89. (Countdown To 100 Losses Stands At...11)

BACKPAGE:

• Part With Dukes? Why? Why? Why?

Just yesterday in the latest edition of MLB.com's Bill Ladson's "Inbox: Who will the Nats keep around", Mr. Ladson responded to a question about the makeup of the 2010 outfield and Roger Bernadina's place in it, by speculating that, "...if the Nationals are not happy with Elijah Dukes, I could see Bernadina getting at chance in right field. I would like to see Bernadina get a chance to play every day because he can catch the ball." In the comments section of a post today at the Nationals Journal by Washington Post writer Chico Harlan entitled, "What To Watch For In September", Mr. Harlan responds to someone who adds watching what happens with Elijah Dukes the rest of the way to Mr. Harlan's list of reasons to tune in, by writing (and I assume it's him, and not a fake "chicoharlan" commenting on his own board):

"Good call on Dukes. I agree that he's playing himself off the roster. September is critical for him."

This is a topic that's been discussed here at Federal Baseball, in the comments sections, gamethreads, and in a recent FANPOST by "Potomac Fan" entitled, "Is Elijah Dukes the long-term answer in RF?", and the prevailing sentiment, if I was to sum it up, would seem to be that all of DC is waiting for Dukes to claim right field, but he has yet to do so...The question I'd ask...Who else in the Nationals' system is going to provide more in right? I've openly stated that I expected more from Dukes, so I'm really wondering if anyone sees Bernandina as a better option? Justin Maxwell in right? What's the thinking out there?

Dukes was 2 for 3 tonight with a run scored and 2 walks, and after 85 games played and 287 AB's, the Nationals' 25-year-old outfielder is hitting for a .254 AVG with 18 doubles, 2 triples, 8 HR's and 52 RBI's. Dukes has posted a .328 OBP, a .415 SLG and a .733 OPS for the Nationals. Is Elijah Dukes your 2010 DC RF?

• Jesus Flores Returns. Sorta?

Before tonight's game started, Washington Post writer Chico Harlan noted in an article entitled, "Flores Activated, Strasburg Works Out, And Other Notes", that the Nationals' catcher of the future, Jesus Flores was off the DL and available for some pinch hitting the rest of the way, though chances are the DC Faithful won't see Jesus Flores behind the plate again until 2010. Flores was not used in tonight's game, even though there were several opportunities to do so...Let's hope the Nationals can just let Flores rest up for next season. Why risk anything now?

• MiLB.com's Jonathan Mayo Tweets About Storen.

In a tweet sent out early this morning, MiLB.com's Jonathan Mayo draws the baseball world's attention to the Washington Nationals' 2nd 1st Round pick, reliever Drew Storen:

"Just a note that @drewstoren still hasn't given up a run in Double-A ball. 12 1/3 IP and counting. Can't wait to see him throw in the AFL."

In 11 games and 14 IP at Class-A Hagerstown, the Nationals' 22-year-old right-handed reliever was (0-1) with a 3.68 ERA, 26 K's and not one walk allowed. In 7games with the Class-A Advanced Potomac Nationals, Storen was (1-0) with a 1.80 ERA in 10.0 IP, over which he recorded his first 2 professional saves. After the P-Nats, Storen jumped to Double-AA Harrisburg, where he's saved 9 games, pitched 12.1 innings, and given up just 3 hits, 0 ER as Mr. Mayo mentions, and allowed 6 walks while striking out 12 and holding opponents to a .077 BAA. Next up, unless he makes a surprise appearance in DC, will be the Arizona Fall League where he'll join his fellow '09 1st Round pick Stephen Straburg on the roster of the Phoenix Desert Dogs.

GAME REPORT:

Florida Marlins At Washington Nationals. Game 135 Of 162. (currently unedited)...

Chris Coghlan drops a bloop single into short right to start the first of three for the Florida Marlins in DC. Washington right-hander Garrett Mock gets a weak grounder to first from Nick Johnson for the first out. Hanley Ramirez sends a sharp grounder through short and Coghlan beats Josh Willingham’s throw home. 1-0 Marlins. Jorge Cantu destroys an 0-2 fastball that clears the left field wall for a two-run HR and a 3-0 Marlins’ lead. John Baker K’s swinging over a curve. Dan Uggla slices a line drive to right on one hop to Elijah Dukes. Cody Ross finally ends the first with a fly ball to right...Justin Maxwell rolls a bunt toward third that somehow rolls fair, and Maxwell’s on to start the Nationals’ first. Cristian Guzman grounds to second, Uggla to Ramirez to Nick Johnson, double play. Ryan Zimmerman grounds to short, Ramirez fields and throws.

Cameron Maybin doubles off the out-of-town scoreboard and takes third when Elijah Dukes and Justin Maxwell fumble with it. Mock gets Sean West swinging with his trademark two-strike bender. Adam Dunn stabs a grounder from Chris Coghlan. Nick Johnson hits a jam shot over short for a Trademark RBI single™. 4-0 Fish when Maybin scores. Hanley Ramirez pops out to short...Adam Dunn starts the DC second with a sliced single to left. Josh Willingham flies out to Coghlan in left. Elijah Dukes grounds weakly toward third, and Sean West’s throw to first pulls Nick Johnson off the bag. Josh Bard K’s swinging over a two-strike change. Sean West throws a change up high and Alberto Gonzalez triples off the left center wall to score Dunn and Dukes and make it 4-2 Fish. Garret Mock K’s to end the second.

Mock walks Jorge Cantu to start the third. John Baker takes a high fastball off the outside edge to deeep left and just over the wall. Two-run HR, 6-2 Fish. Dan Uggla goes down looking after an epic 10-pitch battle. Cody Ross flies out to right. Cameron Maybin flies to deeeep center, but Justin Maxwell gets there to make a catch at the wall...Justin Maxwell K’s swinging to start the DC third. Cristian Guzman grounds to Cantu at third. Ryan Zimmerman triples off the center field wall to give Adam Dunn a two-out RBI opp. Dunn rips a grounder to first and off Nick Johnson’s glove, Zimmerman scores. 6-3 Marlins. Josh Willingham tears into a fastball and launches it over the visitor’s bullpen in left. Two-run HR, 6-5 Marlins. Elijah Dukes uses his Discerning Eye to draw a two-out walk. A wild West pitch moves Dukes to second. Josh Bard K’s to end the third.

Saul Rivera on for Mock, and he gets a groundout from pinch hitter Brett Hayes to start the fourth. Chris Coghlan K’s swinging at a fastball outside. Nick Johnson breaks his bat grounding out to second...Burke Badenhop takes over for the Fish. Alberto Gonzalez grounds out to Hanley Ramirez at short. Saul Rivera grounds out. Justin Maxwell K’s looking to end the frame.

Hanley Ramirez battles Saul Rivera to a full count and ends up doubling by Justin Maxwell in center. Adam Dunn knocks down a grounder from Cantu and tosses to Rivera covering. John Baker singles up the middle under a diving Alberto Gonzalez for an RBI hit. 7-5 Fish. Saul Rivera walks Dan Uggla. Cody Ross sends a weak liner to short. Cameron Maybin grounds to third, Zimmerman fields and throws...Cristian Guzman grounds out to short. Ryan Zimmerman works a one-out walk off of Badenhop. Adam Dunn grounds back to the mound off the pitcher’s glove for an infield single to put two on for the Hammer. Nick Johnson drops a grounder from WIllingham and the bases are loaded for Dukes with one down. Dukes K’s chasing an 0-2 slider outside. Josh Bard grounds sharply to first, some guy named Nick Johnson makes a diving play and a toss to the pitcher covering.

Burke Badenhop lines out to first. Chris Coghlan singles to center with one down. Nick Johnson hits a weak line drive over second. Hanley Ramirez flies out to Dukes in right to score Coghlan. 8-5 Marlins. Nick Johnson goes first to third on a line drive single by Jorge Cantu. John Baker scores Johnson with a single up the middle. 9-5 Marlins. Jason Bergmann on to face Dan Uggla. Bergmann throws a high fastball by Uggla for a swinging K to end the top of the sixth...Alberto Gonzalez grounds out to short. Mike Morse flies out to Maybin in center. Justin Maxwell grounds back to the mound to end the sixth.

Jorge Sosa gets a fly ball to center from Cody Ross. Cameron Maybin grounds out to short. Pinch hitter Andy Gonzalez grounds to Guzman and Jorge Sosa’s got a scoreless frame...Kiko Calero vs Cristian Guzman to start the seventh. Guzman K’s looking at a low strike three. Ryan Zimmerman takes a 2-2 two-seam fastball for a called strike three. Adam Dunn takes a two-out walk. Josh Willingham singles to center in front of a sliding Cameron Maybin to move Dunn to third. Elijah Dukes works the count full and takes a two-out walk to load the bases. Josh Bard K’s trying to check his swing on a pitch in the dirt.

Jorge Sosa vs Chris Coghlan to start the eighth. Nick Johnson grounds by Dunn, but Alberto Gonzalez gets it and throws to Sosa covering. Coghlan to second. Jorge Cantu takes a two-strike slider for a called strike three. John Baker’s gonna face Tyler Clippard. Baker flies to right to end the Marlins’ eighth...Alberto Gonzalez shoots a line drive single to right off Marlins’ right-hander Matt Lindstrom. Willie Harris hits for the pitcher. TAWH singles to right to put two on. "Pinch Hittin’" Pete Orr grounds back to the mound and into a force at second. Cristian Guzman flies out unproductively to center. Ryan Zimmerman grounds up the middle, Uggla gets there, and drops it, Zim safe. Alberto Gonzalez scores from third. 9-6. Lindstrom’s out. Adam Dunn vs Renyel Pinto. Dunn K’s swinging to end the eighth.

Mike MacDougal vs Dan Uggla. Uggla walks to start the ninth. Cody Ross flies out to center. Cameron Maybin goes down swinging. Wes Helms K’s chasing to end the top of the ninth...Leo Nunez comes on to close it. Josh Willingham K’s swinging to start the frame. Elijah Dukes pulls a single to left with one down. Josh Bard pops out foul of third. Alberto Gonzalez pops out foul of first to end it....

Marlins win, 9-6 final.