District Daily: Manager Likes Desmond’s Apology, Nats Lose Twice on Replays
By Kenny DeJohn
Jun 10, 2014; San Francisco, CA, USA; Washington Nationals shortstop Ian Desmond (20) during batting practice before the game against the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
The Washington Nationals are rolling, and so is the news. Stay up to date with today’s District Daily.
Williams appreciates Desmond’s apology
(Bill Ladson and Teddy Cahill, MLB.com)
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SAN FRANCISCO — In his last at-bat in the ninth inning of Monday’s 9-2 victory over the Giants, Nationals shortstop Ian Desmond knew he was a homer short of a cycle, and then he flied out to Tyler Colvin in left field. After he realized that he was making an out, Desmond slammed his bat to the ground and later apologized for his actions.
Manager Matt Williams said he appreciates that Desmond took a step back and realized what he did was wrong.
“I think it’s human nature. Those times [of hitting for the cycle] don’t come around very often,” Williams said. “To try and do something like [the cycle], I don’t think anyone would have a problem. If he feels uneasy about the reaction he had, it was a good pitch to hit. It was a hanging breaking ball, a ball he probably thought he could have done something with. Read full article here.
Two safe-call reviews don’t go Nationals’ way
SAN FRANCISCO — A pair of video replay reviews favored the Giants in their game Tuesday night against the Nationals.
In the third inning, Washington manager Matt Williams was unable to get a third-inning call overturned. With Giants pitcher Madison Bumgarner on first base, Angel Pagan hit a slow roller toward second baseman Danny Espinosa. After tagging out Bumgarner, Espinosa quickly threw to first base, where umpire Phil Cuzzi ruled Pagan safe. Williams asked for a review of the play, and umpires ruled that the play would stand. Read full article here.
Detwiler leaning on teammates in bullpen role
(Bill Ladson and Teddy Cahill, MLB.com)
SAN FRANCISCO — Nationals left-hander Ross Detwiler has been a starter during most of his big league career. Now he is trying figure out what his role is on the team. As of now, he is a long reliever and trying to get into a rhythm. Detwiler is receiving a lot of help from his teammates in the bullpen.
“A lot of the guys [in the bullpen] are helping me out,” Detwiler said. “In the beginning of the game, when the starters are kind of cruising, we’ll just sit back and talk about different things. That has helped out a lot, whether it’s talking about a hitter or holding a pitch or just trying new things.”
It’s hard for Detwiler to see a lot of action lately because the starters have gone until at least the sixth or seventh inning in a game. Entering Tuesday’s action, Detwiler had appeared in 18 games and had a 4.78 ERA. He last pitched Monday against the Giants and allowed a run in two innings. Detwiler has appeared in only two games during the month of June. Read full article here.