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Moments That Mattered: Mediocrity

Andrew Flax — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 16:30:11 +0000

A dearth of offense is more excusable against a bonafide ace like Cliff Lee. However, no excuse will get the Nats back a game in the standings. Atlanta may have lost both games of a doubleheader today (thanks Mets) but the Nats are going to have to find a way to win sooner or later. Ross Detwiler was mediocre, and going into tonight’s game, we knew he would have to be pretty good to keep the Nats in it. Unfortunately, four runs in six innings was not nearly good enough. The Nationals are looking more and more like a middle-of-the-road team, and that’s what Nats fans should be expecting until the Nats can prove otherwise.

Most Important Nationals Hit: Jayson Werth‘s solo homer (+14.1%)

June 18, 2013; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Washington Nationals right fielder Jayson Werth (28) hits a home run during the fourth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports

The game actually got off to a pretty good start for the Nationals. Werth, the former Phillie who was booed heavily throughout the night, silenced the haters for a while by depositing a fat fastball from Lee into the left field bleachers on what was an absolute laser of a shot. He rounded the bases to stunned silence from the Phillies fans, having given the Nats a 1-0 lead over a previously-cruising Lee.

Most Important Nationals Pitch: Michael Young‘s RBI double (-18.3%)

The sixth inning got off to an inauspicious start for Detwiler, and it only got worse. Ben Revere opened the frame with a successful bunt single, and Young immediately drove him in with a double to center, made possible by the fact that Revere was attempting to steal second when Young put the ball into play. The Phillies would tack on two more runs in the frame thanks to a Kevin Frandsen bases-loaded single.

Champ of the Game: Werth (+6.8%) was 1-4, but his solo homer made him one of only four Nats with a positive WPA: the other two were Jeff Kobernus, who hit the other solo homer, and the two relievers. For the Phillies, Young (+25.8%) was 3-4 with three doubles, an RBI, and two runs scored.

Chump of the Game: Detwiler (-23.4%) was Haren-esque: 6 IP, 7 H, 4 ER, 0 BB, 4 K. He was cruising until the sixth, when he nearly escaped a bases-loaded, no-out jam until Frandsen made him pay with two outs. Domonic Brown (-9.1%) was 0-4 with two strikeouts, including one with the bases loaded in the sixth.

Nats Can’t Scratch Cliff Lee, Lose 4-2

Andrew Flax — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 12:30:47 +0000

Stop me if you’ve heard this before: A starter goes eight innings against the Nats, who score under three runs and lose. Oh, you have? Well, I can’t say I’m surprised.

Ross Detwiler was tagged for four runs in six innings, while Cliff Lee dominated the Nats except for a pair of solo homers, and the Nats (34-36) dropped their second straight to the Phillies, 4-2.

June 18, 2013; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Washington Nationals pitcher Ross Detwiler (48) delivers to the plate during the first inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports

As Nats games often are, this one was a pitcher’s duel for quite a while. Through five innings, Detwiler and Lee were both mowing down their opposition, having allowed a combined seven hits. The only runs came on a Jayson Werth solo homer in the fourth and a Ryan Howard sacrifice fly in the bottom half of that same inning. The Phillies nearly added to their lead in the fifth on a single by Lee, but Denard Span made a great throw to gun down Delmon Young at the plate.

Unfortunately, the Phillies broke it open in the sixth. After a Ben Revere bunt single, Michael Young roped an RBI double to left to give the Phillies a 2-1 lead, and that was only the beginning. Jimmy Rollins singled and Howard was hit by a pitch to load up the bases with no outs. Detwiler nearly wriggled out of it by striking out Domonic Brown and Delmon Young, but Kevin Frandsen made him pay with a two-run single to right that dropped in just in front of Steve Lombardozzi. Detwiler finished with a not so pretty final line: 6 IP, 7 H, 4 ER, 0 BB, 4 K.

June 17, 2013; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Washington Nationals center fielder Jeff Kobernus (26) can not make the catch at the wall on a triple during the third inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports

Meanwhile, Cliff Lee continued to dominate. He let up another homer, the first one of Jeff Kobernus‘ career, in the eighth, but finished with a strong line: 8 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 0 BB, 9 K. Craig Stammen and Drew Storen each allowed a hit in a scoreless inning of relief, and Jonathan Papelbon exacted revenge on the Nats by earning his fourteenth save of the year.

Adam LaRoche was the only Nat with multiple hits, breaking out of his 0-17 slide with a pair of singles. In addition to the home-run hitters, Anthony Rendon and Ryan Zimmerman both had singles. The Nats will look to avoid the sweep tomorrow.

Next Game: Wednesday in Philadelphia, 7:05 PM. Gonzalez (3-3, 3.40) v. Kendrick (6-4, 3.76)

Span Returns As Rain Threatens Game Two In Philly

Andrew Flax — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 22:37:09 +0000

After another close loss last night, the Nats will attempt to rebound in the second game of their Philadelphia series, even as rain attempts to thwart their game. The Nats scored four runs last night, but it was not enough to beat the Phillies, and they might be in trouble if they have to score five or more runs again tonight. To start tonight, the Phillies are trotting out their ace Cliff Lee, who has been dominant this season. He is 8-2 with a 2.55 ERA, and has not allowed more than three earned runs since May 1st. Since then, the Phillies are 7-1 in his starts. To have a hope of winning, the Nats will need a strong performance from the newly healthy Ross Detwiler. Dewiler is 2-4, but has a 3.02 ERA. In his return from a strained oblique, Detwiler allowed three runs in five innings in Colorado five days ago, but will need to improve off that if he hopes to duel with Lee. The Nationals will have a bit of an offensive boon, however, as Denard Span will return after sitting yesterday thanks to a bruised foot. Here are tonight’s lineups:

Jun 16, 2013; Cleveland, OH, USA; Washington Nationals third baseman Anthony Rendon (6) against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field. Cleveland won 2-0. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

Washington

Span CF

Anthony Rendon 2B

Ryan Zimmerman 3B

Jayson Werth RF

Adam LaRoche 1B

Ian Desmond SS

Kurt Suzuki C

Steve Lombardozzi LF

Detwiler LHP

Philadelphia

Ben Revere CF