Interesting you mention Morse. Morse was an extremely popular player when here with the Nats. He was a huge fan favorite and a big plus in the clubhouse. He has some big numbers here and letting him go was not a popular move and some, (like me) still think it was an big error not keeping him. The Nats could certainly use his bat right now. -- Al
Great job by SF. Only thing I'm not happy with is that my on-again, off-again Nats couldn't take advantage of the beat-down by taking 1st place away from the Braves. It was there for the taking but we just can't seem to get any headway built up. As George says, 20% of the season gone, and the Nats still can't find their footing. Thank goodness they are staying close while trying to get healthy and find the key. -- Al
Ha! I knew my public chastisement of the O's power hitters would work. Jones had 1 HR this season, until tonight. He has hit 2 in the first 4 innings of the game in Tampa. Now I need to get to work on the pitchers.:rolleyes2: :wink2: {sm3} -- Al
Jason, what is the problem with Lincecum? He has gone from a terrific #1 starter to a hit or miss #4 type starter. His fall off seems to have started in 2012. While not a total disaster, his numbers and effectiveness are definitely down. Is it arm trouble or something else? Did he just burn his arm out with those fantastic 4 seasons from 2008-11? I like watching him but he sure hasn't been the same pitcher over the last 2+ seasons. -- Al
Brad, they're not being blown out but are losing close, low-scoring games. The pitching seems to be doing good (Colon is amazing to me, even though he had that one bad game), so there is still hope, especially in the NL East, which is the closest race, top to bottom, in MLB. Plus, Miami has a horseshoe up it's butt at home. They are a different team on the road. Right now, everyone in the NL East has a chance and it looks like it may stay that way. -- AlA nightmare of a visit to Miami: sweep
They can't hit for beans and cut their backup SS. They need to cut the principal SS too.
Brad
Well, 10-8 would be better than 10-13, especially if he can get the ERA down. With only this year and next on the contract at least SF can get out from under relatively soon. There is always the chance Lincecum can add the necessary additional pitch to make him more effective. Once the opposition figures out the delivery and/or pitch speed drops off it is the pitcher's best course to add another out pitch of the off-speed type. Does Lincecum have any sort of change-up or cutter? I remember his fast-ball but not what else he carries in his repertoire. He's too young and good to be washed up or just a hanger-on. Hope he figures it out. -- Al
To quote a well known ball player from yesteryear, "Good Grief!", it never seems to stop. Nats booted 2 more tonight to make it 34 errors in 36 games. At least these boots didn't cost them a game, or even any runs. This time it was a boneheaded play by the closer, Soriano, who cut off a throw to the plate in the bottom of the 9th, letting the tying run score, which the Nats then lost in the 10th.:rolleyes2: Jeesh. These guys are playing like they have no clue.
-- Al
