SB Nation - Willie Harris

Washington Nationals: SS Search Update.

Ed Chigliak — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 21:43:14 -0000

More photos » by Haraz N. Ghanbari - AP

about 1 month ago: Washington Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo announces the appointment of Jim Riggleman to the position of team manager, Thursday, Nov. 12, 2009, in Washington. (AP Photo/Haraz N. Ghanbari)

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You have to like the confidence DC GM Mike Rizzo had in Washington Post writer Chico Harlan's early September Nationals Journal post entitled, "Reading Material, Shopping Lists", where he provided a list of pitchers-and-shortstops-of-interest on the market this winter, and then told Mr. Harlan, "'We're going to get one of them,'" or when he told USA Today sports writer Seth Livingstone, in an article last week entitled, "Organizational report: Nats' young talent provides hope", that the franchise was open for business, or as he put it himself:

"We have pieces that are attractive to other teams," general manager Mike Rizzo says. "We're leaving all avenues open. We're going to do what's best for the ballclub in the long term. We have several needs, and we're going to try to fill them by free agency, by trade or by waiver claim — any way we can."

Back in Mr. Harlan's article, before the season had even ended, Mr. Rizzo identified the team's offseason needs as, in Mr. Harlan's words, "A shortstop. A decent reliever. (Though probably not a top-of-the-line closer type; why waste the money?) At least one free agent starter. Maybe two, if Livo returns." Two of the shortstops on the list provided in that article, Alex Gonzalez and Jack Wilson, signed with the Toronto Blue Jays and Seattle Mariners, respectively, and in announcing Gonzalez's signing with the Jays, The Globe and Mail.com writer Jeff Blair revealed, in an article entitled, "Jays GM decides on defense", the asking price for a third SS candidate on Mr. Rizzo's initial list, Orlando Cabrera, who's said to be seeking a, "2-year, $12-million minimum deal...", from any team interested in his services.

Alex Gonzalez, was, you'll remember, one of two free agent shortstops the Nationals were said to be interested in according to FOXSports.com writers Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi, who quoted "major league sources" in mid-November in their continually updated article entitled, "MLB Offseason buzz", who said the Nationals were looking at, "Alex Gonzalez, who still could re-sign with the Red Sox (and) Adam Everett, who still could re-sign with the Tigers," as they attempted to fill a need at short created by their decision to move Cristian Guzman to second. MLB.com's Bill Ladson reported earlier in November in an article entitled, "Nats show interest in DeRosa, Gonzalez", that Washington was looking at IF Mark DeRosa. Ian Desmond, the Nationals' 24-year-old "in-house" SS candidate, who hit for a combined .330 AVG with a .401 OBP, .477 SLG and an .878 OPS at two stops in Class-AA and AAA in '09, and went on to hit .280 with a .318 OBP, .561 SLG and an .879 OPS in 21 MLB games over which he collected 7 doubles, 2 triples, 4 HR's and 12 RBI's, according to Mr.'s Rosenthal and Morosi, "...probably needs more time at Class AAA."

Links:

• Will Washington's Willie Harris' friendship with Orlando Hudson lead him to join the Nationals, MLB.com's Bill Ladson couldn't help but ask. - MLB.com's Bill Ladson's, "Harris, Hudson form bond off the field".

• Washington Times' writer Ben Goessling stoked the Hot Stove in a live chat on Wednesday that might have been lost in the pre-holiday hustle, but it's worth a read as Mr. Goessling answers questions from a few names you might recognize like Brian from the Nationals Farm Authority; Hendo, aka Mike Henderson from Nationals Pride; Miss Chatter and yours truly, Ed Chigliak of Federal Baseball. I asked Mr. Goessling a question about the Rule 5 draft but when a few questions in a row covered the same territory, he answered my second query, which was simply, "Who debuts first, Storen or Strasburg?" to which he responded:

"I think it's Storen, simply because he's already been through a half-season in the minors and the Nats' response to the Strasburg hype will probably be to put him in the minors for a month or two, unless he's so good in spring training that they add him to the roster. But I think Storen has a great shot to make the team out of camp."

Mr. Goessling also talks about the 2010 rotation, the bullpen, just about everything. Great stuff...

• Twitterers...In case you missed the earlier notes, DC pitcher Collin Balester is now on Twitter. Drew Storen's been tweeting for a while now. The Washington Times' writers do as well...

• "Washington Nationals: Desperatley Seeking Shorstop" an early story about the Nationals' SS search here at Federal Baseball.com.

The Bill James Handbook 2010 - Projections For The Washington Nationals' 2010 OF.

Ed Chigliak — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 05:44:41 -0000

More photos » by Gene J. Puskar - AP

4 months ago: Washington Nationals outfielders Willie Harris, left, Nyjer Morgan, center, and Elijah Dukes (34) celebrate after getting the final out of the Nationals' 5-3 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates in a baseball game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Aug. 2, 2009. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

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Once again, the folks at Acta Sports, publishers of The Bill James Handbook 2010, have given the SB Nation writers who are interested access to the "Hitter Projections" from the soon-to-be published (on Nov. 1, 2009) 2010 edition of Mr. James' Handbook, which is referred to in a testimonial quote by ESPN.com's Peter Gammons on the Acta Sports site as, "The prize of our winter hibernation." For anyone who doesn't know, Bill James is described on his wikipedia page as:

"...a baseball writer, historian, and statistician whose work has been widely influential. Since 1977, James has written more than two dozen books devoted to baseball history and statistics. His approach, which he termed sabermetrics in reference to the Society for American Baseball Research (SABR), scientifically analyzes and studies baseball, often through the use of statistical data..."

Mr. James' bio on the Acta Sports page simply adds that Mr. James:

"...has been writing about baseball and compiling reference books about baseball since 1975. He is currently the Senior Baseball Operations Advisor for the Boston Red Sox."

After the jump, we'll look at the '09 Projections, '09 Stats and 2010 Projections for the Washington Nationals' outfielders...Josh Willingham in left, Nyjer Morgan in center...and...Elijah Dukes in right? Are there any other real options for the Nationals in 2010? See what the three are projected to do next season AFTER THE JUMP...

(cont.)...

The Bill James Handbook 2010 Hitter Projections For The Washington Nationals' OF...

LF Josh Willingham:

*Josh Willingham*	G	AB	H	2B	HR	RBI	AVG	OBP	SLG
'09 Projections	138	507	137	31	23	82	.270	.371	.479
'09 Stats	133	427	111	29	24	61	.260	.367	.496
2010 Projections	140	500	130	32	25	78	.260	.363	.482

Nyjer Morgan - CF:

*Nyjer Morgan*	G	AB	H	2B	*SB/SB%*	RBI	AVG	OBP	SLG
'09 Projections	71	240	70	11	26/0.76	16	.292	.339	.367
'09 Stats	120	469	144	15	42/0.71	39	.307	.369	.388
2010 Projections	153	599	181	23	52/0.70	44	.302	.356	.376

Elijah Dukes - RF:

*Elijah Dukes*	G	AB	H	2B	HR	RBI	AVG	OBP	SLG
'09 Projections	81	284	72	14	13	44	.254	.363	.461
'09 Stats	107	364	91	20	8	58	.250	.337	.393
2010 Projections	107	346	91	19	12	55	.263	.359	.439

BENCH:

• Willie Harris:

- 2009 Stats - 137 G, 323 AB's, 76 H, 6 2B, 7 HR's, 27 RBI's, .235 AVG, .364 OBP, .393 SLG.

- 2010 Projections - 110 G, 264 AB's, 65 H, 13 2B, 5 HR's, 22 RBI's, .248 AVG, .348 OBP, .367 SLG.

• Justin Maxwell:

- 2009 Stats - 40 G, 89 AB's, 22 H, 4 2B, 4 HR's, 9 RBI's, .247 AVG, .343 OBP, .449 SLG.

- 2010 Projections - 69 G, 203 AB's, 47 H, 6 2B, 7 HR's, 23 RBI's, .232 AVG, .328 OBP, .384 SLG.

• Notes on the #'s, ?'s Raised:

-- Is anyone predicting a different starting OF? Can Roger Bernadina, whose stats were not projected, stay healthy? I can't think of any outfielders in the Nationals' system who are going to make the jump next year? Austin Kearns is almost certainly gone. Can the Nationals compete in the National League with Hammer, Nyjer Morgan and Dukes left to right, or should DC add an OF to the winter shopping list?

-- A .302 hitting, 52 SB, .352 OBP leadoff hitter? Is Nyjer Morgan the man in CF in DC in 20-10? It seemed for a while last season that the Nationals' center field situation was finally solved, but for a player who's never played more than the 120 games he played in 2008, is a 153 game played projection a reasonable expectation? Or a bit generous? If he lives up those #'s, DC's top-o'-the-order-troubles might finally be over...just get that OBP up a bit Morgan? And remember, you don't have to steal every ti---ah, forget it, Run Morgan Run!!!

-- When pre-Trade Deadline talk kept bringing up Josh Willingham's name last July, DC GM Mike Rizzo told Washington Post writer Chico Harlan, as quoted in an article entitled, "Rizzo Has No Plans For A July Firesale", that trading Willingham was not in the team's plans:

"'Why would you want to dump Willingham? We control him for two years, he's [30] years old, and he's a good hitter,' Rizzo said. 'I still think it's a young team. Willingham and Zim, those are guys in their primes or entering their primes. Including Dunn.'"

Are you confident that Willingham, who has a history of back issues, will make it through two more seasons? I've only heard positives about Willingham out of Mike Rizzo, are you assuming he's penciled in in left on Opening Day 2010?

-- Is there any chance of Elijah Dukes getting a full season in right field? He played a combined 129 between the Minors and DC last season, and his combined #'s, .254 AVG, 28 2B, 4 3B, 11 HR's, 68 RBI's, are maybe less than you'd like in terms of power, but far better than I see any other outfielder in the Nationals' system producing in 2010...Any doubt in your mind that Dukes will start the season in right?

-- Maxwell, Harris and Bernadina off the bench? Are Maxwell and Bernadina wasted as part-time players? Do either of them have any trade value? It would seem to me they're probably considered a bit more valuable/impressive by DC fans who've seen their best stretches, as opposed to other teams, who look at their total production?

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.

Washington Nationals Win Sixth-Straight, 6-4 Over Atlanta Braves.

Ed Chigliak — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 01:08:46 -0000

More photos » by John Amis - AP

2 months ago: Washington Nationals' Justin Maxwell is congratulated in the dugout after his winning two run homer against the Atlanta Braves during the eleventh inning of their baseball game Saturday Oct. 3, 2009, in Atlanta. Washington won 6-4. (AP Photo/John Amis)

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Ryan Zimmerman hits an RBI single in the first to score Willie Harris from second for the first run of the game and Ian Desmond leads off the fourth with a HR to left off Braves’ right-hander Jair Jurrjens as the left side of the 20-10 Nationals’ infield gives Washington a 2-0 lead that Ross Detwiler preserves through five innings on the mound. Saul Rivera takes over for DC in the sixth and gets two outs, but leaves two on for left-hander Ron Villone, who’ll have to face Brian McCann, representing the tying run at the plate. McCann singles through short and it’s tied at 2-2 after six...

The exciting conclusion...AFTER THE JUMP....

• Miss The Game?:

• The DC Faithful In The GameThread (452 comments) vs The Talking Chop OpenThread (216 comments).

(cont.)...

• (ed. note - "I’d love to go into more detail about what happened, but FOX decided to finally broadcast a game involving the Nationals when they thought (early this week) that the Braves might still be in contention, and therefore I’m FOX’d out of the next-to-last game of 2009 since they’re showing the Royals and Twins on the northeastern market's broadcast...Just want to thank, FOX! Thanks...thanks for that...")

• DC lefty Ross Detwiler goes just 5.0 innings in his last ‘09 outing, allowing 1 hit and 4 walks, but no runs. Detwiler's replaced on the mound by Saul "Sa-ool" Rivera. Rivera gets two outs, but gives up a walk and a single and is lifted for Ron Villone, who comes on to face left-hander Brian McCann, and surrenders a two-run single that ties the game at 2-2. Villone gets out of the sixth, throws a scoreless seventh and comes back out for the eight, striking out Brooks Conrad and then hanging a slider to Nate McLouth that's lifted to center for a double. Jason Bergmann's called upon with a runner on second and one down and he strikes out Martin Prado and Chipper Jones to end the eighth!! Don't Make Bergmann Angry!!!!

• Braves’ backstop Brian McCann singles to start the bottom of the ninth, and Yunel Escobar’s sac bunt puts McCann in scoring position. Still tied at 2-2. Jason Bergmann walks Garrett Anderson to set up the DP and Omar Infante plays along, grounding to second, Pete Orr to Ian Desmond to Adam Dunn, double play!!! Extras. Nationals' 10th, Ryan Zimmerman doubles with two down, Adam Dunn gets the intentionals and Cristian Guzman shocks THE WORLD! with a two-run double to right that sets DC up to win its sixth-straight in the next-to-last game of '09...

• DC Manager Jim Riggleman...calls upon Zack Segovia to get the save. Leadoff single by Adam LaRoche and a pinch hit double by Kelly Johnson, NO NO NO!!! LaRoche scores on Johnson's hit. 4-3 DC. Nate McLouth flies out, Martin Prado pops out, Chipper Jones gets the intentionals to bring up pinch hitter Greg Norton, (ed. note - "Heck, worked for the Nationals last inning, right?")...Norton rips a line drive single to center, Kelly Johnson crosses, 4-4 after ten.

• Mike Morse grounds out, Pete Orr singles, Justin Maxwell steps to the plate, and it'll have to be another Braves' comeback, Justin Maxwell goes yard to make up for two questionable plays in the outfield, and the Washington Nationals are once again ahead by two, 6-4 courtesy of Maxwell's 4th HR in 85 AB's with DC...Logan Kensing will pitch the Braves' 11th...NO NO N...I mean GO Logan!!! Garrett Anderson grounds out, Omar Infante pops out, and Adam LaRoche K's swinging!! Kensing gets his first save since June 6th 2006...and the Washington Nationals win their 58th game of 2009...

Nationals now 58-103.

(ed. note - "LAST GAME OF THE SEASON TOMORROW!! STOP BY, SAY HI, OR GOODBYE TIL NEXT YEAR!!! LURKERS? You're part of the DC Faithful too, stop in and say hi in tomorrow's GameThread, and see how much we like new folks in the GameThread!!! ONE MORE GAME LEFT...Make it a good one...")

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.

Justin Maxwell Hits A Walk-Off Grand Slam!!! Washington Nationals Win 7-4, Sweep New York Mets.

Ed Chigliak — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 00:15:20 -0000

More photos » by Manuel Balce Ceneta - AP

2 months ago: Washington Nationals' Justin Maxwell cleans the shaving creamfromn his face after hitting a grand slam in the ninth inning against the New York Mets in a baseball game Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2009, in Washington. The Nationals won 7-4. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

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SWEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP!!!!!

• Justin Maxwell works the count full with the bases loaded and two down in the ninth with NY ahead 4-3, and J-Max takes the Mets' high-priced closer Francisco Rodriguez deeeeeep to left and GONE for a walk-off Grand Slam in the last home game of the season in Nationals Park...DO YOU BELIEVE!!!!

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

See How The Mets Fans Took It At: Amazin' Avenue.

Check Out the Post Game And The Full Game Report (You Know, For The Completists), AFTER THE JUMP!!!

• Shadows from the stadium lights and the upper deck of Nationals Park are stretched in a large swath across the field of play from the left field grass, over third, the mound and wrapping around first as DC lefty John Lannan starts the final home game of the season against the New York Mets with a scoreless frame that Mets’ starter Tim Redding matches.

• Jeff Francoeur thinks for a moment that he’s hit a two-run HR to left off John Lannan in the top of the second, but it’s ruled a double upon further review, though the two runners who would have scored if it had been called correctly as a HR cross anyway when Fernando Tatis follows with a sac fly to right and Omir Santos hits an RBI single. 2-0 NY after two.

• Mets’ right-hander Tim Redding retires the first ten batters he faces before Elijah Dukes singles up the middle with one down in the fourth. Redding strands Dukes, but the Nationals finally get on the board in the fifth. Josh Willingham hits a leadoff single to center, moves to second when Josh Bard walks, third when Ian Desmond grounds out, and the Hammer comes home on a sac fly by Alberto Gonzalez to make it 2-1 NY after five.

• E: 140, 141...Angel Pagan hits a weak grounder to short with one down in the sixth, and Ian Desmond misplays what should have been the second out. E: 140. One out later, David Wright rrrrips a grounder to third, and Ryan Zimmerman sidesteps it and tries to snatch it with his glove and misses, E: 141. OUTCOME: Two on, two out. Carlos Beltran singles to center to score Pagan, 3-1 Mets’ lead after five and a half.

• THE KIDS CALL HIM ZIM!! Ryan Zimmerman gives the DC Faithful reason to believe with a solo shot to center off Mets’ reliever Bobby Parnell in the eighth inning. Zimmerma---THE KIDS CALL HIM ZIM!! THE KIDS CALL HIM ZIM!!! hits his 33rd of ‘09 to make it 3-2 NY.

• E: 142. Ryan Zimmerman’s always had a habit of side-stepping hard hit grounders and trying to snap it up with his glove, but he’s missed two tonight and it might be time to start getting in front of them, cause his 17th error costs DC another run. OUTCOME: Jeff Francoeur reaches on the Zimmerman error and takes second. Fernando Tatis singles Frenchy over to third, and Omir Santos puts a perfect hit and run single behind the runner at second to score Francoeur for 4-2 NY lead...

• And Now The Epic Bottom Of The Ninth...

The New York Mets gave Francisco Rodriguez to a 3-year/$37 M dollar deal to close games for them, and the hard-throwing right-hander, who set the Major League record for saves last season, was called upon in the ninth tonight with the Mets desperate for a win against the pesky Washington Nationals who were threatening to sweep and seriously embarrass New York. Rodriguez, who'd converted 34 of 40 save opportunities this season, started Alberto Gonzalez with a 91 mph heater for a called strike and followed with a change that Gonzalez ripped to short and beat to first, sliding in headfirst ahead of Wilson Valdez's throw. Pinch hitter Mike Morse worked the count full in the next at bat and lined a K-Rod change back up the middle. Willie Harris fouled off one bunt attempt before getting a successful sac down to move Gonzalez and pinch runner Jorge Padilla into scoring position for Elijah Dukes, who worked the count full and took a gutsy ball four to load the bases for Ryan Zimmerman. Zim K'd swinging on the third pitch he saw, (curve for a called strike, fastball fouled off and an 0-2 change), to bring up Adam Dunn. The Big Walky battled K-Rod to a full count and took three straight out of the zone for a bases loaded walk and a one-run game which NY still led 4-3. Enter Justin Maxwell:

• Justin Maxwell...(1) Took a curve for ball one from Francisco Rodriguez then watched as a (2) second curve dropped in and the veteran hit the low outside corner with a (3) fastball for a called strike two. A four-seam fastball followed (4) that Maxwell took for ball two, 2-2, and then fouled off a fastball (5) and took a change outside (6) and looow to work the count full against K-Rod. 4-seam fastball up high (7), fouled off, four-seam fastball down low, (8) fouled off, and then a third straight fastball (9) that gets LAUNCHED TO LEFT AND GONE!!! GRAND SLAM!!! GRAND SLAM!!! Justin Maxwell wins it with a walk-off Grand SLAM!!! Nationals win, 7-4!!!

FULL GAME REPORT:

New York Mets At Washington Nationals. Game 158 Of 162.

Josh Willingham takes a knee to catch a low line drive from Angel Pagan. Anderson Hernandez makes Willingham spring to his left and leap up for a second hard-hit line out. David Wright flies to right and Elijah Dukes stares into the sun and makes the catch...Jeff Francoeur catches the first out for Tim Redding off Willie Harris’ bat. Elijah Dukes goes the other way with a high fly to right. Ryan Zimmerman swings through a high fastball to end the first inning.

Carlos Beltran walks to start the second and Jeff Francoeur lines one off the very top of the wall for what might be a HR? They’re taking a look. It’s ruled a double. Fernando Tatis flies out to right, Elijah Dukes tries for a throw home, but has no chance, 1-0 NY. Francoeur takes third on the bad throw. Omir Santos scores Francoeur with a single to center. 2-0 Mets. Lannan gets the DP grounder from Wilson Valdez, Alberto Gonzalez to Ian Desmond to Adam Dunn, double play...Adam Dunn flies out to left field for the first out of DC’s second. Josh Willingham grounds weakly to short. Josh Bard pushes Angel Pagan back to the track to end the bottom of the frame.

Tim Redding starts the third against Lannan with a ground ball to third for the first out. Angel Pagan lines out to Ian Desmond. Anderson Hernandez sends Elijah Dukes breaking back but he makes catch to end the Mets’ third...Ian Desmond’s grounder to short is cut off by David Wright, who fires to first. Alberto Gonzalez grounds out to short. John Lannan is the ninth-straight Nationals’ batter retired.

David Wright skies one to Dukes in right. Carlos Beltran’s way out in front of a two-strike change. Jeff Francoeur grounds to third, Zimmerman snaps it up and throws to first to end NY’s fourth...Willie Harris hits a high fly ball to center, Carlos Beltran makes the catch. Elijah Dukes singles up the middle to break up Redding’s streak of ten-straight set down. Jeff Francoeur avoids the stands that stick out into right and catches a foul ball from Zimmerman. Adam Dunn just pulls a long fly foul and ends up lining out to first to end the fourth.

John Lannan throws a high two-strike fastball by Fernando Tatis. Omir Santos grounds out Ian Desmond at short. WIlson Valdez rolls the first pitch out to third and Ryan Zimmerman’s throw ends the Mets’ fifth...Josh Willingham starts DC’s fifth with a sharp single to center. Josh Bard works a walk. Ian Desmond hits a swinging sac bunt toward first to advance both runners. Alberto Gonzalez flies out to center to score Willingham from third, 2-1 NY. John Lannan slaps a two-out single through short. Willie Harris K’s swinging through a fastball outside to end the fifth.

Tim Redding K’s in the first AB of the sixth. Angel Pagan grounds to short, and Ian Desmond gets a bad hop and misplays it. E: 140. Anderson Hernandez pops out to Dukes in right after a long AB. David Wright rips a grounder through Zimmerman at third. E:141. Carlos Beltran singles up the middle to score Pagan from second, 3-1 New York. Jeff Francoeur flies out to right...Elijah Dukes drops a surprise bunt down the third base line and David Wright can’t make a play. Ryan Zimmerman pops out unproductively. Adam Dunn's up when a wild pitch moves Dukes to second. Dunn flies out unproductively to center. Josh Willingham swings at the first pitch and grounds out to end the frame.

Fernando Tatis lines to left and beats the throw to second for a leadoff double. Omir Santos flies out to right field. WIlson Valdez takes a two-out walk and Gary Sheffield gets pinch hit intentionals to bring up Angel Pagan. Pagan grounds to Ian Desmond, who takes the force at second...Bobby Parnell vs Bard. Bard battles for 10 pitches and eventually walks. Ian Desmond grounds into a force at second in the next AB. Desmond avoids a ground ball from Alberto Gonzalez and Anderson Hernandez tries to get the force at second, but his toss is late. Two runners safe. Pinch hitter Cristian Guzman pops out unproductively to third. Willie Harris works the count full. Willie Harris grounds out to second to end the seventh.

Zach Segovia’s on to pitch the top of the eighth. Anderson Hernandez K’s swinging to start the inning. David Wright grounds out to third. Carlos Beltran pops out to the infield and Ian Desmond’s catch ends NY’s eighth...Elijah Dukes gets jammed and grounds out to the mound. Parnell vs Zimmerman. Ryan Zimmerma--THE KIDS CALL HIM ZIM!! THE KIDS CALL HIM ZIM!!! HR to straight center, 3-2 NY. Pedro Feliciano comes on to face Dunn. Adam Dunn pops out. Sean Green vs Willingham. Josh Willingham grounds to third, David Wright fields and throws...by first, Hammer is safe, and he takes second. Justin Maxwell runs for the Hammer. Josh Bard works another walk to put two on for Ian Desmond. Desmond grounds up the middle, Anderson Hernandez gets there and tosses to second for the inning-ending force.

Jeff Francoeur vs Segovia in the ninth. Francoeur grounds sharply to third that Zimmerman can’t come up with, Zimmerman drops it and throws way over first, E: 142. Frenchy takes second. Fernando Tatis lines a single over short. Omir Santos smacks a hit and run single through second to bring Francoeur home, 4-2 NY. Wilson Valdez grounds back to the mound. Segovia gets one out at first. Ron Villone replaces Segovia and gets a weak grounder toward first from pinch hitter Daniel Murphy grounds out to first. Ryan Zimmerman throws out Angel Pagan to end the Mets’ half of the ninth...Alberto Gonzalez singles to short, deep in the hole and Gonalez beats Wilson Valdez's throw to first. Mike Morse makes a pinch hit appearance, and he singles to center!!! Jorge Padilla comes on to run. Two on for Willie Harris. Harris gets a sac bunt down. Second and third for Dukes!! Dukes works the count full and walks. Ryan Zimmerman K’s swinging through an 0-2 slider. Adam Dunn works the count full, and walks in a run!! 4-3 ballgame. Justin Maxwell works the count full, fouls off two fastballs, and then OH LORD!! IT’S GONE!! J-MAX takes K-ROD Deeeeeeeeeeep to left and GONE!! GRAND SLAM!!! GRAND SLAM!! GRAND SLAM!!! THE NATIONALS WIN!! THE NATIONALS WIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 7-4 final. Francisco Rodriguez is on to end it. Alberto Gonzalez reaches safely on a grounder deep in the hole at short.

Nationals now 55-103!!!

Elijah Dukes Will Run Through Walls. Washington Nationals 4, New York Mets 3.

Ed Chigliak — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 04:20:27 -0000

More photos » by Manuel Balce Ceneta - AP

2 months ago: Washington Nationals' starter J.D. Martin, pitches during the first inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets, Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2009, in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

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We've learned two things about Elijah Dukes this year:

1) You don't run on Dukes.

2) Elijah Dukes will run through walls.

If David Wright didn't know that second one already he found out as he came around first and watched Elijah Dukes run full speed into the out-of-town scoreboard in right to rob Wright of a potentially game-tying extra base hit with two out in the top of the ninth tonight in DC's 4-3 win over New York. Dukes' catch gave Mike MacDougal his 18th save in 19 opportunities a half-inning after Washington took the lead with the help of two errors from NY's middle infielders. The Nationals take their second straight over the Mets and set themselves up for the sweep in the last home game of 2009 tomorrow afternoon. (ed. note - "And I'm telling you right now...Teddy Roosevelt will win tomorrow, buy your tickets so you can say you were there...") (ed. note - "The previous opinion is in no way based on facts, just gut feelings, like Riggleman!!")

BACKPAGE:

• Martin v Pelfrey.
• Elijah SSSSSUPER DUKESSSSS!!!! F.O.D.&D. Rejoice! Desmond Does It Too!!!
• Adam Dunn Gets The Beyond The Box Score Treatment.

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

• Check Out the SB Nation's NY Mets Blog: Amazin' Avenue OpenThread.

• LINK: Game 157: Enjoy 2B Next Year, Guz..." - Doghouse.

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

Nationals now 54-103. (Countdown To 100 Losses, Over For Days Now).

BACKPAGE:

• Martin v Pelfrey. J.D. Martin gets himself in trouble early, giving up a leadoff double to Angel Pagan and letting Luis Castillo reach base on a sac bunt attempt. David Wright walks to loaded the bases and Carlos Beltran walks too to force in the first run. 1-0 NY. Martin gets a line drive to short, a fly ball to short center and an out at second to escape further damage, but he gets right back in trouble in the second. Wilson Valdez doubles to start the frame, moves to second on a sac bunt by the Mets' starter and scores on an Angel Pagan single for a 2-0 lead. David Wright doubles Pagan in, 3-0 Mets.

• Mike Pelfrey retires the first eight batters he faces before allowing a bloop single to the opposing pitcher in the bottom of the third. The Mets' right-hander throws four scoreless for NY, holding DC to just a walk and a single, but the fifth starts with "Pinch Hittin'" Pete Orr singling on an 0-2 fastball up and out over the plate. Ian Desmond's up next and the Nationals' rookie shortstop gets a 1-2 fastball from Pelfrey that doesn't quite make it inside, Desmond explodes on it, launches it to left and GONE!! Two-run HR, 3-2 NY. Two outs later, still in the fifth, Willie Harris and Elijah Dukes hit back-to-back singles and Mr. Gold Glove Himself, the one and only Ryan Zimmerman gets two straight and I mean "straight" fastballs inside, the second of which is lined to left for Zim's 103rd RBI and the 3-3 tie.

• J.D. Martin ends up throwing four scoreless after the rough start, and leaves after 6.0 IP, having given up 7 hits, 3 ER and 2 walks, but the win ends up going to DC reliever Tyler Clippard who throws 2.0 scoreless, the second of which I still can't believe he escaped. Clippard gave up back to back singles to Carlos Beltran and Daniel Murphy, then walked Jeff Francoeur to load the bases with no outs and the score tied at 3-3 tie in the eighth. Former Nationals' catcher Brian Schneider (Call us, Brian?) does Washington a solid by popping out unproductively and pinch hitter Jeremy Reed lines to second, Alberto Gonzalez catches it, throws to first, Francoeur's out, (where was he going?) DOUBLE PLAY!! Clippard's one lucky reliever...

• Mike "Danger" Morse walks with one down in the Nationals' eighth, Justin Maxwell takes over on the basepaths, and pinch hitter Cristian Guzman follows with what should be a double play, but Anderson Hernandez fields at short and tosses one low to Luis Castillo, and right by second, both runners safe. Ian Desmond follows with another DP grounder, Anderson Hernandez gets to it behind second, tosses to Castillo, Castillo fires wide of first and out of Daniel Murphy's reach, Desmond's safe. Maxwell scores from second, 4-3 DC!!

• Top Of Ninth...Mike MacDougal comes on to close it. Cory Sullivan K's swinging. Angel Pagan...singles, (3 for 5), but MacDougal paints the outside corner to get Luis Castillo looking with Pagan still at first. David Wright, works the count full and destroys a 96 mph MacDougal heater. Wright drives it to right, Elijah Dukes sprints toward the wall, and runs into the out-of-town scoreboard as he makes the grab, Dukes bounces of the wall, falls back and rolls to his feet, then jumps up pounding his chest!!! SSSSSUPER DUKESSSS Runs through walls! Nationals win, 4-3 final.

LINK:

• Adam Dunn Gets The Beyond The Box Score Treatment.

Walter Fulbright has an article up at Beyond The Boxscore, the SB Nation's "Saber-Slanted" blog, entitled, "The Two Sides Of Adam Dunn: Graph Of The Day", in which Mr. Fullbright determines that Adam Dunn is, "...still a superstar, just playing out of position because he no longer has one," and recommends that fans, "...start a letter writing campaign to see if we can find the Nationals an American League trading partner." Dunn ranks dead last on Mr. Fulbright's league-wide UZR chart and the BtB writer's description of the nation's capital's favorite first baseman is at odds with most of what I've heard from the DC Faithful:

"Adam Dunn can't hide his failings at the cold corner. Whatever advantage he has for reaching to balls above his head (a pretty low percentage play anyway) are absolutely obliterated by his inability to scoop balls in the dirt, either from throws or from ground balls. He's so completely top heavy that he has an inherent disadvantage to those born with the virtue of just being closer to the ground. This is a pretty definite trend, he has roughly the same power off the bat as when he was 23, only with 60-70 more pounds packed on, his defense has gone from pretty bad to awful to absolutely unacceptable."

Check out Mr. Fulbright's article HERE or in the title link above to see how he reached his conclusions. Let him know what you've seen from Dunn...

GAME REPORT:

New York Mets At Washington Nationals. Game 157 Of 162.

DC right-hander J.D. Martin takes a deep breath, stretching his jaw as he does, then he exhales and fires the first pitch home to Angel Pagan. Pagan ends up doubling to right off the out-of-town scoreboard to start the game with a runner on second. Luis Castillo bunts to third and J.D. Martin cuts Ryan Zimmerman off to field and not throw to first. First and third for David Wright. J.D. Martin walks the bases loaded and goes 3-0 to Carlos Beltran, hitting the outside corner for 3-1 and getting a foul for another full count. Then Martin walks Beltran and walks in a run, 1-0 New York. Daniel Murphy lines toward short, Ian Desmond catches and holds it. Jeff Francoeur flies out to short center, and Willie Harris catches it coming in to hold Castillo at third. Brian Schneider lines to Pete Orr to end the threat with just the walked in run scoring...Willie Harris pops out to left to start the bottom of the first. Mets’ righty Mike Pelfrey gets a weak grounder to third from Elijah Dukes. Ryan Zimmerman grounds out to short.

Wilson Valdez doubles over short to start the second. Mike Pelfrey bunts to Adam Dunn, who can only throw to first. Angel Pagan singles to score Valdez and it’s 2-0 New York with one out in the second. Luis Castillo pops out to left. David Wright doubles off the base of the wall in left, Pagan scores from first, 3-0 Mets. Carlos Beltran grounds out to first, Adam Dunn fields it and hustles to first...Dunn leads off DC’s second with a swinging K on a bender off the plate. Mike Morse grounds out to Wilson Valdez at short. Pete Orr grounds to Castillo at second and it’s 3-0 NY after three.

Willie Harris has to run way into left to catch a line drive off Daniel Murphy’s bat. Francoeur flies out to Elijah Dukes in right. Brian Schneider grounds out to first and Dunn tosses to Martin to end the Mets’ third...Ian Desmond flies out to right field. Mike Pelfrey gets off the mound quickly to field a dribbler toward third and throws a strike to Daniel Murphy at first to get WIl Nieves. J.D. Martin sends a bloop single to center for the Nationals’ first hit. Willie Harris walks. Elijah Dukes rolls the third out to short.

Wilson Valdez grounds out to Pete Orr. Mike Pelfrey’s groundout rolls over the first base bag to Dunn. Angel Pagan sends Mike Morse sprinting back to make an overhead catch for the final out of the Mets’ fourth...Ryan Zimmerman grounds to short, Wilson Valdez double-pumps and throws to first. Adam Dunn flies out to deep center. Mike Morse grounds out to short, Pelfrey’s got four scoreless.

Willie Harris takes two steps back and catches a line drive off Luis Castillo’s bat. David Wright pulls a bender over third and into left for a one-out double. Carlos Beltran grounds weakly to second. Daniel Murphy flies out to Mike Morse and it’s 3-0 NY after four and a half...Pete Orr smacks a single through short. Ian Desmond goes deeeep to left on a high inside fastball and it’s GONE!!! Two-run HR, 3-2 NY. Wil Nieves grounds out to WIlson Valdez at short. J.D. Martin K’s swinging over a two-strike sinker. Willie Harris sneaks a grounder under a diving Luis Castillo at second. Elijah Dukes singles to center, but Willie Harris holds up at second. Ryan Zimmerman gets a fastball before it gets inside and singles to center to score Harris. 3-3. Adam Dunn grounds out to first, tied after five.

Jeff Francoeur lines to left, Morse misjudges it but hustles back to make a leaping catch. Brian Schneider throws his bat at a fastball and singles to center. Wilson Valdez sends a fluttering line drive out to Willie Harris. MIke Pelfrey flies out to right...Mike Morse grounds out to third. Pete Orr grounds to Daniel Murphy at first. Ian Desmond slides in safe at second on a one-hopper to third that gets by David Wright and rolls out to left. Wil Nieves lines out to right.

Tyler Clippard starts Angel Pagan with three balls and then blows Pagan away. Ian Desmond throws out Luis Castillo. Clippard gets Wright on a called strike three, 3-3 in the seventh...Alberto Gonzalez grounds to Murphy at first. Willie Harris flies out to center. Elijah Dukes grounds one through Pelfrey’s legs for a two-out single. Ryan Zimmerman flies out to right, 3-3 after seven.

Carlos Beltran singles to center to start NY's eighth. Daniel Murphy rips a grounder by Dunn at first, Beltran takes third. Jeff Francouer walks to load the bases for Schneider. Brian Schneider pops out foul of third. Pinch hitter Jeremy Reed hits a broken bat liner to second, Frenchy gets doubled up!!...Adam Dunn K’s and Pedro Feliciano’s out after one batter. Mike Morse vs Sean Green. Morse walks, Justin Maxwell on to run. Cristian Guzman will hit. Guzman grounds to second, Anderson Hernandez tosses it but Castillo at second, both runners safe. Ian Desmond grounds to second, Anderson Hernandez knocks it down, tosses to second, Castillo....throws it wide of first, Maxell scores, Desmond's safe. 4-3 NY. Francisco Rodriguez comes on. Desmond takes third without a throw. Angel Pagan makes an underhand catch on a line out by Alberto Gonzalez.

Mike MacDougal vs Cory Sullivan. Angel Pagan lines off Zimmerman’s glove and into left. Luis Castillo takes a called strike three for out No. 2!!! David Wright flies to deeeep right, Elijah Dukes tracks it and catches it as he hits the wall at full speeeeed. SSSSSUPER DUKESSSSSS!!!!!!!! Sets up the sweeeep!!!!

Nationals now 53-104.

Atlanta Braves Sweep Washington Nationals, DC Bullpen Gives It Away In Extras, 6-3.

Ed Chigliak — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 22:54:22 -0000

More photos » by Pablo Martinez Monsivais - AP

2 months ago: Washington Nationals' Ryan Zimmerman, left, circles the bases after hitting a solo home run against Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Derek Lowe, right, in the first inning of a baseball game in Washington, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2009. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

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• Ryan Zimmerman and Josh WIllingham go back to back off ATL right-hander Derek Lowe with two down in the first. Zimmerman’s 32nd of 2009, gives him 8 more than his previous season high of 24 which he hit in 162 games in 2007, and there are eight innings left today and seven more games on the 2009 schedule to be played this week. The Hammer hits his second HR and collects just the second RBI in his last 62 at bats. So far in September, Willingham's hit in just 12 of 71 at bats, for a .169 AVG, a .272 OBP and a .324 SLG. Derek Lowe gives up two HR's in the same game for the first time all season.

• A fan interferes with a leadoff line drive by Martin Prado, who gets second, and Chipper Jones reaches on an infield single off Livan Hernandez in the fourth. Livan gets a harmless fly out of Brian McCann, but Josh Willingham catches it while backpedaling and throws it in weakly off his back heel allowing Prado to take third, and then score easily on Garrett Anderson’s groundout. 2-1 DC. Yunel Escobar hits a two-out triple to score Chipper and it’s tied at 2-2 after four.

• Mike Morse hits the third HR of the game off Lowe to give DC a 3-2 lead in the fourth. Morse hits his second HR in two days, for the 4th and 5th HR’s of his 132-game MLB career. Before yesterday's HR, Morse hadn't gone deep in a major league game since August 15th 2005 when he hit a two-run HR as a Seattle Mariner for the 3rd HR of his rookie campaign.

TRIVIA: The last time Derek Lowe gave up 3 HR’s in a game? August 27, 2007, against the Washington Nationals...Q: Who hit the HR's off Lowe? There were three different players...? A: Dmitri Young, Wily Mo Pena and Ryan Zimmerman in a 5-4 loss to Los Angeles.

• After grounding out with two on and two out in the sixth, Livan Hernandez walks Yunel Escobar to start the seventh and then gives up an RBI double off the base of the out-of-town scoreboard to Adam LaRoche, which scores Escobar from first ahead of the cut throw home. 3-3 ballgame. Hernandez out after 6.1 IP, 6 hits, 3 ER, 1 BB and 2 K's. Tyler Clippard replaces Livan, and strands Adam LaRoche at third in a tie game. Then the Nationals do the same...

Continued after the JUMP...

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

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

• "Game 155: Our team is terrible." - Doghouse.

Full Game Report After The JUMP...

• The Worst Kind Of FAIL...How To Strand A Leadoff Triple: Willie Harris starts the Nationals’ seventh with leadoff triple off Braves’ reliever Peter Moylan. Ian Desmond grounds to first, Adam LaRoche fields and looks Harris back to third. The Braves walk Ryan Zimmerman. First and third, one out. Josh Willingham K's taking a 1-2 slider inside for a called strike three. Elijah Dukes takes an 0-2 slider low and outside and that's a strike too, Willie Harris is left standing on third...

• Extra Innings...For the second-straight day, Mike MacDougal comes on in a non-save situation. Yesterday, MacDougal allowed a single, a sac bunt and an RBI double before he was lifted for Ron Villone who gave up a two-run HR, with one run belonging to the DC closer. Today, MacDougal starts the tenth with the game still tied at 3-3, and gets the first out on a groundout by pinch hitter Brooks Conrad, then it all falls apart. One-out walk to Nate McLouth. MacDougal hits Martin Prado. Chipper Jones hits a dribbler toward first, McDougal can't make the play, everyone is safe. Brian McCann grounds out to score the go-ahead run. 4-3 Braves. Pinch hitter Omar Infante hits a bloop single to center, two more score. 6-3 Atlanta. Ballgame.

Nationals now 52-103.

Atlanta Braves At Washington Nationals. Game 155 Of 162.

Livan Hernandez gets a two-seam fastball to break back inside for a called strike three on Nate McLouth. Martin Prado grounds weakly to short, and Chipper Jones flies out to left center where Willie Harris’ catch ends a quick top of the first...Willie Harris flies out to Garrett Anderson in left field. Chipper Jones makes a quick toss to first on a groundout by Ian Desmond. Two down for Braves’ righty Derek Lowe. Ryan Zimmerman goes over the out-of-town scoreboard with a two-out solo HR to right. Josh Willingham gets a first-pitch fastball and he destroys it, line drive to left and GONE!! HR for the Hammer, 2-0 DC. Elijah Dukes K’s swinging over a sinker, 2-0 Nationals after one.

Brian McCann gets a 1-2 fastball up high that he drives to center for a single. Brian McCann takes second when Garrett Anderson grounds out to Mike Morse at first. Yunel Escobar skies a 2-0 pitch to right. Livan Hernandez likes working with the lead, and he strikes Adam LaRoche out to preserve it...Mike Morse grounds weakly to short after Lowe jams him with a fastball inside. Jamie Burke’s not expecting a curve, and he’s fooled so bad he throws his bat five feet in front of home. Alberto Gonzalez rolls one to Chipper Jones who barehands it and throws to first, in time.

Matt Diaz grounds back to the mound. Derek Lowe’s slow chopper’s handled by Ryan Zimmerman. Willie Harris covers his eyes and catches the third out of the Braves’ third off Nate McLouth's bat...Lowe gets an equally weak grounder out of Livan. Willie Harris’ single to center puts one on for Ian Desmond. Desmond walks, Zimm’s up for the second time with two runners on. Zimmerman flies out to center. Harris takes third. Willingham walks to load the bases, but Elijah Dukes’ pop-up ends the third.

Martin Prado doubles by third and a fan inteferes to hold Prado at second. (And get him/herself ejected.) Chipper Jones grounds to Desmond deep in the hole at short. Desmond backhands but holds it. Two on for McCann. Josh Willingham’s backing up when he catches Brian McCann’s fly ball, but he throws off his back heel and it comes in late at third. Garrett Anderson grounds to short to score Prado. 2-1 Nationals. Livan Hernandez gives up a two-out, RBI triple to Yunel Escobar, who splits the gap in left center to tie it at 2-2. Adam LaRoche flies out to the track to end the top of the fourth...Derek Lowe hangs a curve to Mike Morse that ends up in the first row in the left field stands, 3-2 DC. Jamie Burke rolls the first out to third. Matt Diaz slides in to catch a short fly off Alberto Gonzalez’s bat. Livan Hernandez grounds out to Yunel Escobar to end the fourth.

Ian Desmond charges and fires to first to get Matt Diaz to start the sixth. Derek Lowe’s dribbler’s so slow Zimmerman can’t throw out the pitcher. Alberto Gonzalez can’t stab a sharp grounder from Nate McLouth and there are two on again. Martin Prado singl--Alberto Gonzalez gets there makes a slick underarm toss to second, Desmond spins around the bag and throws to first, double play...Willie Harris singles to start the fifth. Ian Desmond grounds out to first to move Willie Harris into scoring position. Ryan Zimmerman flies out to deep center. Harris stays put. Josh Willingham grounds out to short to end the fifth.

Chipper Jones flies out to Josh Willingham in straight left. Brian McCann grounds out to Alberto Gonzalez at second. Willie Harris catches the third out off Garrett Anderson’s bat on the curly-W in the outfield grass...Elijah Dukes pops a first-pitch fastball up over first for LaRoche to catch. Mike Morse K’s swinging through a 1-2 fastball. Jamie Burke rips a single over second with two down. Alberto Gonzalez hits the second straight two-out single. Livan Hernandez grounds to short to end the threat.

Livan Hernandez vs Yunel Escobar. Livan misses with a high inside full-count fastball. Adam LaRoche doubles off the base of the out-of-town scoreboard, and Escobar beats the relayed throw home, 3-3 ballgame. Tyler Clippard takes over for Livan Hernandez. Mike Morse fields a grounder from pinch hitter from Greg Norton and steps on first, holding LaRoche at third. Tyler Clippard walks McLouth with two down. Martin Prado K’s swinging through a high-heater from Clippard...WIllie Harris triples to off the right field wall to start the eighth off the Braves’ sidewinder, Peter Moylan. Ian Desmond grounds unproductively to first. Ryan Zimmerman gets the intentionals to set up the DP. Willingham takes a two-strike fastball "inside" for a called strike three. Elijah Dukes takes a low slider outside for another backwards K.

Tyler Clippard vs Chipper Jones. Larrrr-eee grounds out to first. Ryan Zimmerman catches a foul pop off Brian McCann’s bat. Elijah Dukes sprints to catch up to a sharp liner to right by Garrett Anderson. Clippard with a scoreless frame...Mike Morse grounds weakly to short for the first out of DC’s eighth. Jamie Burke chases a slider outside for a swinging strike three. Alberto Gonzalez is completely fooled as he K’s.

Yunel Escobar singles through Ryan Zimmerman’s glove for a leadoff single. Adam LaRoche pops out to center unproductively. Matt Diaz grounds to short, Desmond to Gonzalez to Morse, double play!!!!...The Guzzz, Cristian Guzman sends a blooper to right for a leadoff single. Justin Maxwell runs for Guzman. Willie Harris lines a bunt back to Mike Gonzalez on the mound. Ian Desmond pops out to the infield. Ryan Zimmerman K’s swinging over a nasty two-strike slider.

Mike MacDougal gets a groundout to second from Brooks Conrad. MacDougal walks Nate McLouth with one down and then hits Martin Prado with Chipper Jones due up. C. Jones grounds weakly to first and MacDougal misses it. Bases loaded. Brian McCann’s weak grounder to the mound scores the walk, McLouth. 4-3 Braves. Pinch hitter Omar Infante places a single in the short center grass to score two, 6-3 Atlanta. Yunel Escobar grounds to first to end the inning...Rafael Soriano’s going to close this out. Willingham pops out on the first pitch. Elijah Dukes grounds out to first. Mike Morse K’s on a check swing to end it. Braves win, 6-3 final.

Nationals now 52-103.

If The Washington Nationals' 101st Loss Falls In A Forest...? Atlanta Braves win, 4-1.

Ed Chigliak — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 06:42:03 -0000

More photos » by Luis Alvarez - AP

2 months ago: Atlanta Braves* Javier Vazquez, front, is tagged out by Washington Nationals pitcher John Lannan on a bunt-attempt during the fourth inning of a baseball game, Friday, Sept. 25, 2009, in Washington. (AP Photo/Luis M. Alvarez)

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The Washington Nationals' 101st loss of 2009 came and went without much fanfare (or offense from the Nationals). There won't be any stories about the 4-1 Friday night loss to Atlanta on the Drudge Report tomorrow. Sportscenter won't dig up some obscure facts about back-to-back 101-loss seasons by teams in baseball's "modern era", and since only a few thousand people witnessed the game live, (28,276 according to the MLB boxscore, which counts tickets sold rather than fans in attendance), and no one's watching the Nationals on TV anymore, Washington's 101st loss will pretty much go unnoticed. But I noticed, and I was watching, and I guarantee you there were not twenty-eight thousand plus in Nationals Park, I was there, standing for half the game on the Red Porch overlooking the outfield where Josh Willinghman dropped a line drive in the first, and Justin Maxwell and Willie Harris let a ball fall between them for an RBI hit, and an early 2-0 Braves' lead after one. Then I moved down below to field level seats behind first base with some friends, where I watched closely as Atlanta's starter (former Montreal Expos' ace) Javier Vazquez dominated the Nationals, throwing 104 pitches over 9.0 innings and giving up just 3 hits and 1 ER on a HR by Josh Bard for the only run DC scored all night. The win kept the Braves mathematically alive in the playoff hunt, so it means something to Atlanta and the thousands of displaced Georgians who filled Nationals Park, but all it means to Washington is that they're on the verge of passing the '08 loss total that I think most fans assumed, or at least hoped, was rock bottom...

(cont.)...

The Nationals entered the season talking about playing .500 ball. The '08 season had been an anomaly, had the team been healthy there's no way they would have lost that many games, and with Adam Dunn and Josh Willingham added to the batting order, this team was sure to have more pop, (forgetting for a moment that offense was added at the expense of any semblance of a competitive rotation or pen), if the pitchers just kept the Nationals in games, the offense would come through. Tell that to John Lannan, who threw 122 pitches tonight, and gave up just six hits and 2 runs, (both unearned after Pete Orr committed a two-out error in the first to let DC's lefty off the hook), and received no run support in what would end up being his 13th loss of 2009... Lannan (L, 9-13), was making his third run at double-digit wins, and he's the only DC starter who even has a shot, but he'll have to do it in what's likely his last '09 start next time out if there's any hope.

So the Nationals, after the loss, are now 52-101. With nine games left they'll have to go 7-0 in 4 more against Atlanta, and three with New York to avoid finishing the season with less than last year's dismal total of 59 wins, but even that would leave DC 59-103, one loss worse than in 2008 and 14 losses worse than they were in 2007.

Will the fact that the Nationals signed their #1 overall pick and earned the right to draft the next over-hyped, over-priced prospect, who happens to be a precocious teenage catcher, be enough to make you forget that in the last two seasons the team's gone 111-203. And will it make you forget that in the same year Washington signed Stephen Strasburg and earned the right to draft the next big thing in prospects, 17-year-old catcher Bryce Harper, they also lost their number one pitching prospect to Tommy John surgery and saw last year's catcher of the future suffer a SLAP tear of the right labrum while he was recovering from a stress fracture in the same shoulder?

(ed. note - "Sorry for the prolonged rant, but aside from the pitching performances, what else is there to say about tonight's loss? E: 134 - Pete Orr misses a sharp grounder at second that may or may not have grazed the second base ump. E:135 - Ian Desmond makes a throwing error in center on a ball hit to Justin Maxwell...I really have no idea what happened here, I was too busy shaking my head...")

Braves win, 4-1 final.

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Nationals now 52-101.

Furcal, Kemp Lead The Way To Dodger Victory

Eric Stephen — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 05:07:05 -0000

Rafael Furcal has been on fire in September, hitting .345/.415/.560 with 20 runs scored in 20 games (photo courtesy of Larry Goren / LA Dodgers)

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Matt Kemp set the spark early, and Rafael Furcal came through with the fireworks late to give the Dodgers a hard fought, 7-6 victory over the Nationals on Thursday night, as they lowered their magic number to clinch a playoff spot to one.

After Furcal opened the game with a single, Andre Ethier and Manny Ramirez decided to join in the fun with singles of their own. Matt Kemp followed with a three-run home run to give the Dodgers a 4-0 lead before the fans even had a chance to get comfortable in their seats. This was the third game all season the Dodgers opened a game with at least four straight hits:

Date	Opp	Streak	Dec
May 3	Padres	single, double, single, double	7-3 win
May 31	Cubs	five singles	8-2 win
Tonight	Nationals	single, single, single, home run	7-6 win

Despite the early lead, Vicente Padilla was shaky, giving up four runs in his five innings of work. Ronald Belisario was brought in with a 6-4 lead in the sixth inning, and he induced a ground ball to get out of the inning, but Ronnie Belliard's throw to first base was wild, allowing Cristian Guzman to score. The Nationals added another run to tie it, in a style eerily similar to the Nationals' comeback victory at Dodger Stadium on May 7. That night, the first game of the Manny Ramirez suspension, the Dodgers also had a big first inning lead with a Kemp home run, this time a 6-0 lead thanks to a Bison Slam, only to lose 11-9.

The frustration continued for the Dodgers in the seventh inning. Kemp tripled to deep left to lead off the inning, narrowly missing his second home run of the night. However, he was left stranded at third in a scene reminiscent of last night's bases loaded, nobody out failure in the ninth inning.

However, thanks to the torrid Furcal, the Dodgers took the lead in the eighth. Furcal's home run to right center field was his fourth hit of the night, good for his second four-hit game of the series. In Washington DC, Furcal had 10 hits in 14 at-bats with three doubles and a home run during the series. He got on base to start all three games of the series, and has done so in five of his last six games. The Dodgers are 28-8 when Furcal starts off the game on base this season. Furcal came into the series hitting .257/.325/.361, and leaves for Pittsburgh hitting .268/.334/.379, raising his OPS 28 points in three days.

George Sherrill pitched a scoreless eighth, but not without some trouble. After getting two outs, Sherrill walked Willie Harris, just the sixth left-hander walked by Sherrill all season. Harris stole second, and looked to score on Ian Desmond's single to right. However, Andre Ethier uncorked a great throw home to nail Harris and preserve the lead.

Jonathan Broxton pitched a 1-2-3 ninth inning for his 36th save, his 16th straight appearance without allowing a run.

Kemp's three-run home run in the first gave him 100 runs batted in on the season, joining Andre Ethier as the first pair of Dodger teammates to amass 100 RBI since Shawn Green and Gary Sheffield in 2001. If Kemp, who is hitting .306, can keep his batting average above .300 for the season, he will become the first Dodger ever to hit .300 with 25 home runs, 30 steals, and 100 RBI.

The Dodgers move on to Pittsburgh tomorrow for a four-game series. Jon Garland will face Jeff Karstens in the opener. I hope there's a BevMo near the team hotel.

Magic Numbers
To win NL West: 3 (Rockies lost to the Padres 5-4)
To clinch a playoff spot: 1 (over the Braves, who were off tonight. The Giants lost to the Cubs 3-2, so they can no longer pass the Dodgers)

WP - Ramon Troncoso (5-4): 1.1 IP, 2 walks, 1 strikeout

LP - Ron Villone (4-6): 0.2 IP, 1 hit, 1 run

Sv - Jonathan Broxton (36): 3 up, 3 down

Box Score