Nationals @ Rockies, Game 2

[Sharp]

Woooooo

[Ali the Baseball Cat]

Hell yeah

[EdStroud]

picked up a game on both New York and Florida

[DPMOmaha]

What's going to be sick is if they deal Morse in the offseason. Have never gotten the feeling that Rizzo and the front office are big fans of Morse for some strange reason. Rizzo has no idea the caliber of player he has in Morse

I think Rizzo's changed his tune a bit as the year's gone on.  I would have agreed with you this time last year, but the language Rizzo's used in relation to Morse has changed.  If Morse is moved, it will be at great cost to whichever team wants him.

[TylerDC]

Really good win.

[sportsfan882]

Well done Drew freak Rizzo

[Sharp]

How long do you guys think Morse can keep this up? I'm talking years, not weeks.

Based on guys with similar histories, probably another two to three years, at which point he'll drop off pretty sharply.

[sportsfan882]

I think Rizzo's changed his tune a bit as the year's gone on.  I would have agreed with you this time last year, but the language Rizzo's used in relation to Morse has changed.  If Morse is moved, it will be at great cost to whichever team wants him.

What language are you referring to? I have never heard Rizzo ever say anything positive about Morse

[sportsfan882]

Based on guys with similar histories, probably another two to three years, at which point he'll drop off pretty sharply.

Like Werth?

[DPMOmaha]

He's used words like "cornerstone".  That's typically been reserved for the Zimmermen(n), Stras, Harper and this year Espinosa and Morse.

[Sharp]

Like Werth?

In retrospect we probably should have seen it coming.

[TylerDC]

Speaking of Morse, his WAR (2.5) is 65th out of all position players. Good, but it seems like he's better than that.

Shouldn't it be higher? Is there something that significantly hurts it?

[NoShoesNoShirtNoDice]

Weren't the Phillies kicking the tires on Morse in the exhibition season? They probably didn't have enough minor league pitchers coming of Tommy John surgery to interest Rizzo for a trade.

[NoShoesNoShirtNoDice]

Speaking of Morse, his WAR (2.5) is 65th out of all position players. Good, but it seems like he's better than that.

Shouldn't it be higher? Is there something that significantly hurts it?

Who cares about geek stats. I can see with my two eyes the guy can play.

[Sharp]

His awful defense at left early in the year ended up hurting him a lot, as does the fact that he plays first.  And he virtually never walks.  I think his defense at first is a bit undervalued by UZR, though.

[TylerDC]

Who cares about geek stats. I can see with my two eyes the guy can play.

Just trying to get a better grasp of what goes into the stat. My post emphasized that he could play.

His awful defense at left early in the year ended up hurting him a lot, as does the fact that he plays first.  And he virtually never walks.  I think his defense at first is a bit undervalued by UZR, though.

I figured it was something along those lines. Thanks. 

[welch]

Team looked half-deadin he top of the 8th. Clippard and Storen and added arun in top 9th. Very good.

[The Chief]

4 hits for Desmond eh?  Lobson will be shouting his name from the rooftops tomorrow

[OldChelsea]

Comparative dates on which the Nationals notched their 54th win, each season:

2005 - 19th July (94th match of season)
2011 - 5th August (112th match)
2007 - 12th August (118th match)
2006 - 18th August (122nd match)
2010 - 26th August (128th match)
2008 - 3rd September (140th match)
2009 - 29th September (157th match)

[hammondsnats]

what a win last night.

[hammondsnats]

last 30 days desmond is hitting .315.  last 10 games, he's checking in with a .355 clip (3 bb to 5 k for him).  hopefully he keeps this up, b/c his ops is - as emmitt smith would say - it's badddddddddddddddd.

[Kevrock]

I can never stay awake on Friday nights. Fell asleep on the couch halfway through. :/

[hammondsnats]

I can never stay awake on Friday nights. Fell asleep on the couch halfway through. :/

watched the first few innings at my buddy's house in arlington with some friends.  then we went to one of our friends parties a couple blocks away and you can bet your ass they had the game on there!  

it made the rest of the night that much sweeter.

[OldChelsea]

Pirates lost another one tonight. Their season is unraveling.

...a 15-5 mauling at home by the NL's lowest-scoring team (Padres) no less...8 games out in NL Central, 10 out of the wild card, and 3 games under .500 (54-57). PNC Park, in fact, hasn't been any help to the Bucs - they're actually worse at home (26-30) than away (28-27).

After this home series against the Padres, here's their remaining schedule (all 3-game series except as noted):

Giants away
Brewers away
Cardinals home
Reds home
Brewers home (4)
Cardinals away (4)
Astros away
Dodgers home (re-scheduled single match)
Cubs away
Astros home
Marlins home
Cardinals home
Dodgers away (4)
Diamondbacks away
Reds home
Brewers away

...fun while it lasted, but I'm afraid midnight has struck, the Fairy Godmother's stagecoach has turned back into a pumpkin, Cinderella is back home cleaning up after her ugly stepsisters and watching losing season# 19 heading her way.

[MarquisDeSade]

I can never stay awake on Friday nights. Fell asleep on the couch halfway through. :/

You and me both.  Good thing I got plenty of sleep last night or I'd end us passed out at Hammonds Yards tonight...