Watching the Angels-A’s game that went to extra, Extra, EXTRA innings, (still going on as I write this) the final and fatal flaw of the 2013 Washington Nationals became absolutely clear. It is their lack of heart. There is no way, completely beyond the talent of the players, this Nationals team would survive through this many extra innings. FYI, the Nationals talent is bad compared to these teams too.
Let me tell you what’s happened in this Angels-A’s game. The Angels led 7-2 in the 8th. The A’s scored 4 in the bottom of the 8th to make it 7-6. They were down to their final out in the bottom of the 9th with a runner on 2nd and scored tying the game and sending it to extras. From the 10th thru the 14th, no one scored. Long time Nats fans remember Jerome Williams pitched five innings for the Angels in extras before giving up a run. Jerome Freaking Williams came out of the Angels bullpen and pitched 5 innings before giving up a run whereas Tyler Clippard pitches one inning and gave up that same run. Brett Anderson was supposed to start today for the A’s but was scratched because of an injured ankle. He came out of the bullpen and pitched 5.1 innings on that injured ankle. Who is our Brett Anderson? Who mans up for the Nationals like this?
The Angels scored their 8th run in the top of the 15th. The A’s were down to their last out in the bottom of the 15th with a runner on 2nd and they get another clutch hit and tie the game again. They came back down a run, with one out left, TWICE! Can you see the 2013 Nationals doing this?
The benefit and curse of having MLB.tv. I get to watch all the other teams play and, invariably, the other teams seem more talented, far more motivated, better managed and organized than the Nationals. Other teams fight. They come back. They play smart, team baseball. I don’t see these things from the 2013 Nationals.
….and the Angels-A’s game just ended on a two run homer from Brandon Moss in the bottom of the 19th. The A’s came back from 7-2 in the 8th inning to win this game, twice scoring with two outs in the bottom of the final inning to keep the game going and finally win it in the 19th. This 2013 Nationals team has nothing like this in them.