Nationals @ Reds, Game 1

[Potomac Cannons]

Well...that's different.

Can I have the same reaction to both parts of that play?

[imref]

I rather enjoyed Dibble's analysis.  He tells it like it is.  I can't picture any of the O's announcers saying stuff like this.  Angelos would fire their sorry a$$e$.  When Dibble says the players don't have to be your friends, he's directly criticizing Riggleman.  He doesn't think this has to be a popularity contest but rather you should be playing your best players.

this!

[Evolution33]

One day the umpire will just field the ball and throw to first. So glad we get to play two teams every night.

[tomterp]

and now it's time for Dibble to again rip on Riggleman for starting Harris.

What's wrong with that?  He's got Morse buried in the bench, and he starts Harris.  Why?

[Lintyfresh85]

Gotta keep Willie fresh!

[UMDNats]

What's wrong with that?  He's got Morse buried in the bench, and he starts Harris.  Why?

Gotta make sure no one has their feelings hurt.

Also, Riggleman hates Morse.

[Coladar]

I was getting quite pissed off, since I too had always assumed umpires were part of the field. Not so, right call. A ball is ruled dead, and runners advance one base if... Rule 5.09(f): A fair ball touches a runner or an umpire on fair territory before it touches an infielder including the pitcher, or touches an umpire before it has passed an infielder other than the pitcher.

[hammondsnats]

Jd martin please go to the minors.

[imref]

What's wrong with that?  He's got Morse buried in the bench, and he starts Harris.  Why?

I agree with Dibble, there's absolutely no way Harris should be starting unless someone is hurt, not with Morris, Maxwell, and Bernadina sitting.

[EdStroud]

Nice hair Jonny

[Lintyfresh85]

Gomes can mash.

[EdStroud]

Nice hair Mig...oh crud

[Coladar]

And who was it saying Martin didn't need any more time in the minors in another thread? This is his eighth start so far? One other was as bad as this one, and another was just about as bad. He's got some stuff, but he doesn't have the polish. Horrible for two innings tonight, awesome for the other four.

[hammondsnats]

Just teeing off Martin...expected

[hammondsnats]

And who was it saying Martin didn't need any more time in the minors in another thread? This is his eighth start so far? One other was as bad as this one, and another was just about as bad. He's got some stuff, but he doesn't have the polish. Horrible for two innings tonight, awesome for the other four.

Imo he is not a major leaguer...didn't think we would have to resort to our AAAA guys this year but inuries/ineffectiveness changed that

[nats2playoffs]

6th   J Gomes homered to left.   2   5
6th   M Cairo homered to left.   2   6

Nationals  2
Reds         6

I guess I need a primer on how great JD Martin is as a pitcher.

I'm watching Last Comic Standing on NBC.
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You can vote for her to remain in the contest
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Rachel Feinstein performs at comedy clubs in Arlington & DC

[Coladar]

Imo he is not a major leaguer...didn't think we would have to resort to our AAAA guys this year but inuries/ineffectiveness changed that

 I disagree with you in that he is certainly a major leaguer, as he performed extraordinarily well against an incredible hitting team... For four innings. They just brought him up too damn soon, like they've done with so many of our pitchers. Atilano is not a major leaguer. Martin has the stuff to be a #4 on most teams, but he was brought up too early. He's dominant 75% of the time, and gives us a chance to win in about 66% of our games. He just needed/needs another 3 months in AAA to work out a couple final kinks.

[NatsDad14]

And who was it saying Martin didn't need any more time in the minors in another thread? This is his eighth start so far? One other was as bad as this one, and another was just about as bad. He's got some stuff, but he doesn't have the polish. Horrible for two innings tonight, awesome for the other four.

More time in the minors isn't going to help Martin. He's been in the minors for like 8 years already and has dominated AAA before.

Martin hasn't even pitched badly in the big leagues. He has a 4.14 ERA and a 1.34 WHIP. Those are solid numbers for a #4/5 pitcher. He had a 3.71 ERA last year in his last 11 starts. More time in the minors is not the problem, 86 MPH fastball is the problem. AAA won't fix that.

[EdStroud]

I disagree with you in that he is certainly a major leaguer, as he performed extraordinarily well against an incredible hitting team... For four innings. They just brought him up too damn soon, like they've done with so many of our pitchers. Atilano is not a major leaguer. Martin has the stuff to be a #4 on most teams, but he was brought up too early. He's dominant 75% of the time, and gives us a chance to win in about 66% of our games. He just needed/needs another 3 months in AAA to work out a couple final kinks.

In your opinion JD should be alright for next year then?

[hammondsnats]

I disagree with you in that he is certainly a major leaguer, as he performed extraordinarily well against an incredible hitting team... For four innings. They just brought him up too damn soon, like they've done with so many of our pitchers. Atilano is not a major leaguer. Martin has the stuff to be a #4 on most teams, but he was brought up too early. He's dominant 75% of the time, and gives us a chance to win in about 66% of our games. He just needed/needs another 3 months in AAA to work out a couple final kinks.

Imo neither atilano or martin our mlb quality.

[EdStroud]

Reds/Nationals trivia;

Rob Dibble got his first save(for the Reds) of his career against what team?

[NatsDad14]

I disagree with you in that he is certainly a major leaguer, as he performed extraordinarily well against an incredible hitting team... For four innings. They just brought him up too damn soon, like they've done with so many of our pitchers. Atilano is not a major leaguer. Martin has the stuff to be a #4 on most teams, but he was brought up too early. He's dominant 75% of the time, and gives us a chance to win in about 66% of our games. He just needed/needs another 3 months in AAA to work out a couple final kinks.

The Nats didn't bring him up too quickly. He has pitched 785 IP in 10 seasons in the minors. He has pitched over 300 IP in AA and AAA with an ERA of about 3 and WHIP of 1.10. 

[UMDNats]

I disagree with you in that he is certainly a major leaguer, as he performed extraordinarily well against an incredible hitting team... For four innings. They just brought him up too damn soon, like they've done with so many of our pitchers. Atilano is not a major leaguer. Martin has the stuff to be a #4 on most teams, but he was brought up too early. He's dominant 75% of the time, and gives us a chance to win in about 66% of our games. He just needed/needs another 3 months in AAA to work out a couple final kinks.

Martin has been in the minor leagues since 2001. He's dominated the minor leagues at every level. He's 27. What else do you think he can learn in a few more months?

[Potomac Cannons]

And who was it saying Martin didn't need any more time in the minors in another thread? This is his eighth start so far? One other was as bad as this one, and another was just about as bad. He's got some stuff, but he doesn't have the polish. Horrible for two innings tonight, awesome for the other four.

Name them...don't just make crap up.

Martin got pulled against Baltimore after 4.1 with 3 unearned runs.  He's had 1 bad start, in Cleveland.  Tonight, with the rain delay, you pull him after 5 instead of running him out there for another inning.

[EdStroud]

Nice hustle Ian