Apr 1, 2013; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals starting pitcher Stephen Strasburg (37) throws during the fourth inning against the Miami Marlins at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

Speaking of pitch counts, Stephen Strasburg makes his first appearance in a game that counts since September 12 and is looking to build off of a Spring in which he seemed to get stronger and he had his first real off-season since being drafted by the Nationals. No rehabbing, no fall baseball. There is probably no pitcher more important to the success of the Nationals than Strasburg. If he is an ace, it puts less pressure on Gio Gonzalez and Jordan Zimmermann who are very good pitchers in their own rights. Strasburg is a popular choice for National League Cy Young and the first test comes today against a Miami team that is not the best offensively.

It’s also the return of Wilson Ramos which is a very good thing. If he can return to his 2012 progression with the bat and his very good Spring, he gives the bottom of the order another weapon that Kurt Suzuki didn’t do as well. The debut of Denard Span is also something very interesting as he gives the Nationals a true leadoff man they lacked last year.

For the Marlins, of course Giancarlo Stanton is their true superstar. It’s also a look at a lineup that includes an eclectic mix of young players and veterans who are believed to be past their prime. None of the excitement of last season, but a season with tempered expectations may be what the rebuilding process needs but it’s the implications of another salary dump a year after their new stadium opened with a lot of taxpayer money that makes the decision even more dubious.

Ricky Nolasco is definitely the Marlins best starting pitcher, and gets the Opening Day start for Miami.

The important thing to remember is that it’s only one game. Opening Day is exciting, but it’s the first step in a marathon.

On to the lineups…
Miami Marlins
Juan Pierre LF
Chris Coghlan CF
Giancarlo Stanton RF
Placido Polanco 3B
Rob Brantly C
Donovan Solano 2B
Casey Kotchman 1B
Adeiny Hechavarria SS
Ricky Nolasco P

Washington Nationals
Denard Span CF
Jayson Werth RF
Bryce Harper LF
Ryan Zimmerman 3B
Adam LaRoche 1B
Ian Desmond SS
Danny Espinosa 2B
Wilson Ramos C
Stephen Strasburg P

The past week, the surging Washington Nationals won a road series against the New York Mets and their home opening series against the Cincinnati Reds, including walk-off extra inning victories in the first two games in Washington this season. Though the week ended with a tough 11-inning loss to the Cincinnati Reds, it also included a five-game winning streak that gave the District’s major league baseball club it’s best start ever and vaulted them into first place in the National League East.

Edwin Jackson‘s complete game two-hitter on Saturday afternoon highlighted a string of extraordinary performances by Washington’s starting pitchers, who look as strong as advertised, albeit much too early in the season to draw any lasting conclusions.

Edwin Jackson and

 

Injuries continued to be the cloud underneath the Nationals’ encouraging start. One day shy of re-joining the club for the home opener, Michael Morse re-injured his right lat and is now out for six weeks. Drew Storen had surgery to remove bone chips in his right elbow and will be sidelined until, approximately, the all-star break. The only good injury news was that Rick Ankiel completed a strong re-hab assignment and joined the Nats on April 14.

Look to your District on Deck staff to keep you up to date with game re-caps and features as the Nationals continue their exciting 2012 season. Today, we began a new feature “Down on the Farm” with a look at Harrisburg Senators’ electric second baseman Jeff Kobernus.

We had 11 total posts on the week for you. Here’s your recap:

Monday, 4/9/12

Storen to See Specialist After More Elbow Soreness (Marty)

Tuesday, 4/10/12

Game 4 Recap: Mets 4 Nationals 3 (Andrew)

Wednesday, 4/11/12

Game 5 Recap: Nationals 6, Mets 2 (Marty)

Morse Suffers Setback, Won’t Play in Home Opener (Marty)

Game 6 Recap: Nationals 4, Mets 0 (Steve)

Storen Undergoes Surgery: Out Until June (Michael)

Thursday, 4/12/12

Home Opener Recap: Nationals 3, Mets 2 (10 innings)(Steve)

Friday, 4/13/12

Game 8 Recap: Nationals 2, Reds 1 (13 innings) (Marty)

Saturday, 4/14/12

Game 9 Recap: Nationals 4, Reds 1 (Andrew)

Sunday, 4/15/12

Game 10 Recap: Reds 8, Nationals 5 (11 innings) (Steve)

Down on the Farm: Meet Jeff Kobernus (Steve)

Tags: Content Recap, Featured, Popular, Washington Nationals

All of this drama seemed quite unlikely after Gio Gonzalez pitched seven innings of shutout baseball, limiting the Reds to two hits, with seven strikeouts. Gonzalez, who also got his first major league hit today, hit 94-95 on his fastball, spotted it precisely, and used his curveball to devastating effect on Cincinnati’s batters.

Apr 12, 2012; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals third baseman Ryan Zimmerman (11) celebrates with his teammates after scoring on a wild pitch in the tenth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Nationals Park. Washington defeated Cincinnati 3-2. Mandatory Credit: James Lang-US PRESSWIRE

Tyler Clippard relieved Gonzalez in the eighth inning. He surrendered a lead-off double and struggled with hs command, but recovered in time to fan pinch-hitter Chris Heisey and Drew Stubbs to hand the game and the shutout to closer Brad Lidge.

That’s when the unpleasant drama began. Lidge retired Zack Cozart to begin the ninth, but pitched tentatively to Reds’ slugger Joey Votto and walked him. Scott Rolen then doubled past Zimmerman, who was playing off the line.

Davey Johnson visited Lidge and Washington decided to intentionally walk Jay Bruce, putting the go-ahead run on base. Ryan Ludwick then bounced a ground ball to third that looked like a routine force out at worst or, at best, a game-ending double play.

Zimmerman, who had an up-and-down day with the glove this afternoon, failed to get in front of the ball and it skipped past his glove for a game-tying single. The Nationals’ third baseman redeemed himself by making a fine inning-ending catch of Devin Mesaroco’s foul ball.

The Nats loaded the bases with one out in the bottom of the ninth and looked poised for a walk-off victory. But Danny Espinosa grounded into a home to first double play on a fine scoop of his hard ground ball by Reds; pitcher Jose Arredondo.

Apr 12, 2012; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals starting pitcher Gio Gonzalez (47) smiles after singling in the fifth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: James Lang-US PRESSWIRE

In extra innings, Craig Stammen struck out three consecutive Cincinnati hitters, including former National Willie Harris, on 11 pitches. A few moments later, Alfredo Simon, recently picked up on waivers after being released by Baltimore, bounced a pitch to Roger Bernadina. The ball bounced far enough away for Zimmerman, who reached base when Simon hit him in the back on his second pitch of the inning, to score and make the Nationa’s 2012 home opener a happy one for the hometown crowd.

The win, the Nats’ third straight, gives them a 5-2 record, their best 7-game mark since they came to the nation’s capital in 2005.

Champs of the Game: Gio Gonzalez, who pitched brilliantly, redeeming his poor Nationals debut in Chicago, and Craig Stammen, who completely dominated the Reds hitters, setting the stage for Zimmerman’s heroics and earning his first win of 2012. 

For the Reds, relievers Arrendondo and Sam LeCure pitched four innings of shutout relief, keeping their team in the game.

Chumps of the Game: Despite making two great plays at third base and scoring the game-winning run, Zimmerman nearly cost Washington an uplifting win in their first home game by his maddening tendency to try to scoop grounders from the side rather than getting in front of the ball. Poor fundamentals come back to haunt you sometimes, no matter how talented you are.

The Nationals management also deserves a few boos for yet again having concessions and parking unprepared to handle a sell-out crowd. It should come as no surprise that this game, above all others, will attract a large crowd. The team has had five seasons in the new park. It is time to get these details right.

For the Reds, in addition to Simon, their hitters fanned 12 times and seldom made solid contact.

Unsung Heroes: Adam LaRoche, whose two out, two-RBI single in the fifth finally gave Washington a clutch hit with runners in scoring position. Also, Ian Desmond made some subtly tough plays at short, showing great range, and got three hits again today.

For the Reds, Zack Cozart kept Desmond’s ninth inning hit in the infield, preserving the game, albeit for just one more inning.

Next game: Tomorrow, Friday August 13, 7:05 p.m. at Nationals Park. Jordan Zimmerman faces Bronson Arroyo.