Washington Nationals Rapid Reaction: Offense nowhere to be found in loss to Blue Jays
Jun 3, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Toronto Blue Jays manager John Gibbons (5) congratulates starting pitcher Mark Buehrle (56) after his complete game win over the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park. Toronto Blue Jays defeated Washington Nationals 8-0. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
The Washington Nationals played the last game of their three game series against the Toronto Blue Jays on Wednesday night at Nationals Park. The Nats lost the game, 8-0, losing their second series in a row.
Buehrle Stymies The Nationals
Nationals hitters were confounded by Jays pitcher Mark Buehrle, who pitched a complete game shut out. Buehrle had a 4.97 ERA coming into this game, so he has been hittable this year. He pitched a complete game in his last start against the Minnesota Twins, giving up four runs. The Nationals had to be hoping he would be worn out after pitching a complete game just five days ago. The Nationals hoped in vain.
Buehrle only threw 93 pitches in his complete game against the Nationals. That should tell you what you need to know about the Nats hitters’ lack of patience at the plate in this game. The other thing that aided Buehrle’s cause was Washington hitting into three double plays.
When the Nationals did manage to get a baserunner, Buehrle is such a wily veteran pitcher that he knows how to induce a ground ball or change speeds on his pitches to induce a strikeout. The Nationals didn’t really threaten Buehrle all night.
Bryce Harper and Yunel Escobar each got two hits off Buehrle. Ian Desmond got a hit. That was it for hitting contributions from the lineup. Except for Taylor Jordan, the Nats’ pitcher, who singled in his first at bat.
Next: Taylor Jordan Does Not Fool The Blue Jays
Jun 3, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals starting pitcher Taylor Jordan (38) pitches during the first inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Taylor Jordan Does Not Fool The Blue Jays
Taylor Jordan took the place of the injured Stephen Strasburg to get the start against the Jays.
While the Nationals hitters could get nothing going against Buehrle, the Jays jumped all over Jordan right from the get go. Jordan gave up four runs in the top of the first inning. His sinker wasn’t sinking. He was leaving pitches up and out over the plate. The Blue Jays, one of the most prolific offenses in baseball, did not let any opportunities to get on base pass them by. Walking Jose Reyes to start the game didn’t help Jordan’s night.
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Jordan got in the groove in the second, third and fifth innings, working quickly and efficiently to get outs and allowing no runs. He had trouble in the first, fourth and sixth innings–allowing runs to score. In all he gave up seven runs in those three innings.
Jordan’s outing was like watching two pitchers in one body. From inning to inning, you didn’t know which Jordan was going to show up on the mound: the good one or the bad one.
Taylor threw six innings in this game and gave up seven runs. After Jordan spotted Buehrle four runs to work with, it became apparent that there was no point in chewing up the bullpen by taking Jordan out and wasting pitchers in a lost cause.
Taylor Hill pitched the last three innings of the game and did a credible job, only allowing one run in those three innings. That run was a home run to Jose Bautista in the top of the ninth.
Next: Cool Weather Is Affecting Nationals Hitting
Jun 2, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals center fielder Denard Span (2) hits a single against the Toronto Blue Jays during the first inning in game two of a double header at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Cool Weather Is Affecting Nationals Hitting
Remember when it was April and cold and the Nationals couldn’t hit? Remember when the offense was lucky to put one or two runs on the board during the early part of the season. Remember when the Nationals weren’t hitting home runs when it was cold and the ball didn’t fly?
Then the middle of April came and it got warmer and the offense started producing. When May arrived the Nationals offense really came alive the warmer and warmer it got. Home runs were flying out of Nationals Park for the home town heros. The hits were really coming and the Nationals were scoring runs.
Then the weather cooled off. The weather in DC has been terrible for this Blue Jays series. Monday’s game was rained out. Tuesday the teams played a double header under cloudy skies and temperatures in the high 60’s. The Nationals scored two runs during the day game and three in the night game. They scored no runs last night.
The warm weather can’t get back soon enough. The team’s home run hitting is directly correlated to temperature. The Nationals score more runs when the temperature is between 80 and 90 degrees.
Next: Bautista Shows Up Umpire–Doesn’t Get Tossed
Jun 3, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Toronto Blue Jays designated hitter Jose Bautista (19) reacts after first base umpire Larry Vanover (not pictured) calls him out on strikes during the seventh inning against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park. Toronto Blue Jays defeated Washington Nationals 8-0. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Bautista Shows Up Umpire–Doesn’t Get Tossed
Jose Bautista was upset during the seventh inning when he struck out on a called third strike when first base umpire Larry Vanover ruled that Bautista did not hold up his swing.
Bautista walked away from the plate toward the Jays dugout, and then turned around and applauded in Vanover’s direction. He wasn’t saying that Vanover made a good call.
The umpires let him have his show and the game continued. Vanover didn’t react and Bautista didn’t get thrown out of the game for “showing up the umpire”.
Imagine the media firestorm that would still be going on right now if Bryce Harper had done what Bautista did. Even if Harper hadn’t gotten ejected for that antic, he would be condemned for being immature, not respecting the game, showing off, drawing attention to himself, and making the game about himself.
The highlight of Harper sarcastically applauding a call by an umpire that he disagreed with would be on SportsCenter and every major sports related web site. Twitter would have film posted and tons of tweets out there with folks debating whether this was just another example of what a jerk Harper can be.
I would bet everything in my kid’s college fund ($5.04) that Bautista’s antics don’t rate much of a mention anywhere. It’s doubtful Twitter will blow up discussing Bautista’s lack of respect for the umpires or how he shouldn’t be setting a bad example for the young fans of the game.
I guess making an example of Bautista isn’t in the media’s best interest. For some reason, they think making an example of Harper is. Go figure.