District Daily: Asdrubal Cabrera Injury, Nats Face AJ Burnett
By Kenny DeJohn
Aug 24, 2014; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals second baseman
Asdrubal Cabrera(3) walks back to the dugout after being injured attempting to beat out a throw to first base against the San Francisco Giants in the seventh inning at Nationals Park. The Nationals won 14-6. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
The Nationals dropped 14 on the Giants on Sunday, further extending their stranglehold on the NL East. In today’s District Daily, we examine the next game up on the schedule (and more).
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WASHINGTON — The Nationals showed Sunday afternoon that they don’t have that give-up mentality. They were down by five runs, but scored six in the sixth inning and downed the Giants, 14-6, at Nationals Park.
When he allowed a solo home run to Ian Desmond in the sixth inning, Giants right-hander Ryan Vogelsong left the game with a 6-3 lead, but San Francisco’s bullpen couldn’t stop the Nationals on this day. Left-hander Jeremy Affeldt entered the game and couldn’t get anybody out. It didn’t help that his sinker didn’t show up.
Bryce Harper started things with a double. After Asdrubal Cabrera reached base on an infield single, Jose Lobaton was at the plate when Harper scored on a wild pitch, while Cabrera advanced to second. Read full article here.
Cabrera day to day with rib-cage tightness
WASHINGTON — Nationals second baseman Asdrubal Cabrera left Sunday’s 14-6 win over the Giants before the eighth inning because of tightness in the right side of his rib cage. He suffered the injury while connecting on a ground ball to shortstop in the bottom of the seventh, and Danny Espinosa replaced him for the final two frames.
Manager Matt Williams said Cabrera is day to day moving forward, as the Nationals embark on a nine-game road trip that includes series at the Mariners and Dodgers. Cabrera said he doesn’t expect to miss any games, but it depends on how he feels Monday morning before the Nationals open a series in Philadelphia.
“We didn’t want to take any chances in that situation,” Williams said after Sunday’s game. “We’ll have to see how Asdrubal is when he wakes up tomorrow when we get him to the ballpark. Just a little bit of tightness, so we want to be cautious in that regard.” Read full article here.
Nats face Burnett in quest to extend East lead
After his third straight start surrendering four or more earned runs Tuesday, Phillies starter A.J. Burnett was asked if he expects to be on the field next season.
The right-hander’s response was not convincing.
“I have no idea,” said Burnett, who will take the mound Monday in the series opener against the Nationals at Citizens Bank Park. “Probably not.”
The 37-year-old veteran hinted at retirement during the offseason but ultimately signed a one-year deal with Philadelphia worth $16 million. That contract includes an option for 2015 that reached $10 million after Burnett’s 27th start Tuesday. The amount would increase to $11.75 million after his 30th start and $12.75 million after his 32nd start. Read full article here.