Nationals @ Astros, Game 4

[natsfan4evr]

Matt Capps has blown 3 saves in a row. Maybe they should give Clippard a shot for a few games.

[PANatsFan]

Matt Capps has blown 3 saves in a row. Maybe they should give Clippard a shot for a few games.

I hope he's not the second coming of Hanrahan.

[Lintyfresh85]

Matt Capps has blown 3 saves in a row. Maybe they should give Clippard a shot for a few games.

How was today his fault?

Heck, how was the last one his fault? Zimm's error and the bad no swing call.

[Ali the Baseball Cat]

Might as well. 

Matt Capps has blown 3 saves in a row. Maybe they should give Clippard a shot for a few games.

[Ali the Baseball Cat]

A walkoff HR kind of sucks when you are a closer...

How was today his fault?

Heck, how was the last one his fault? Zimm's error and the bad no swing call.

[PC]

Matt Capps has blown 3 saves in a row. Maybe they should give Clippard a shot for a few games.

The last two weren't fully his fault.  He has fallen apart when something has gone wrong, though.

[natsfan4evr]

How was today his fault?

Heck, how was the last one his fault? Zimm's error and the bad no swing call.

He gave up a walk-off homer on a hanging slider. He has not been as dominant lately. I know what you're saying and you have a valid point, but something needs to be done. You can't lose 3 of 4 to Houston and finish a road trip 3-7

[PANatsFan]

He gave up a walk-off homer on a hanging slider. He has not been as dominant lately. I know what you're saying and you have a valid point, but something needs to be done. You can't lose 3 of 4 to Houston and finish a road trip 3-7

Too many breaking balls, not enough K's.

[Kevrock]

LOL at canning Capps. Were you guys around last year with Hanrahan? How about when Capps saved 45634563 in a row to start the season? Now all of a sudden we should go with Clippard because of a couple bad outings?

Closers blow saves. It happens. Capps has still been one of the best in the league this year.

[Lintyfresh85]

Too many breaking balls, not enough K's.

Agreed.

No one on this team is striking out guys right now. If you're not going to have power arms in the rotation... you have to have them in the pen.

[Nat of the Living Dead]

He gave up a walk-off homer on a hanging slider. He has not been as dominant lately. I know what you're saying and you have a valid point, but something needs to be done. You can't lose 3 of 4 to Houston and finish a road trip 3-7

If Guzman makes that catch: game over. If Jim Riggleman put in even a half-competent RFer: game over.

It isn't cool Capps gave up the homerun, but it is pretty obvious how it got to that point and it shouldn't have. Can't blame him for that nor for bad umpiring. As hard as it is to believe, Capps probably deserves the least blame.

[DPMOmaha]

but something needs to be done.

Picking up the ball behind your pitcher is the only change I'd make.

[PC]

Six errors in two games pretty much cinches two losses.

[DPMOmaha]

Six errors (from our SS's) in two games pretty much cinches two losses.

yep.

[Kevrock]

Who was left off the bench that could have played RF?

[PC]

yep.

Honestly, how much of this is road fatigue?

[Evolution33]

Who was left off the bench that could have played RF?

Morse had entered the game as a pinch hitter.

[The Chief]

According to Bill James, we actually split the series 2-2

[PC]

Taking Willingham out is what put Riggleman behind the 8-ball.  Was he hurt?

[natsfan4evr]

Taking Willingham out is what put Riggleman behind the 8-ball.  Was he hurt?

No, he was the last guy to bat and he wanted to pull a double switch

[PANatsFan]

Who was left off the bench that could have played RF?

Poor bench management earlier in the game. Did Harris go in for Hammer or was he out of the game?

[PC]

No, he was the last guy to bat and he wanted to pull a double switch

Why not take Dunn out?  He was the next to last batter and had done nothing all day?

[PC]

But honestly, I think, that 3rd error was going to find Guzman, no matter where he was standing. 

[cmdterps44]

I was all for (and still kind of am) playing Guzman in right but in the ninth? Ehhh.

[DPMOmaha]

Honestly, how much of this is road fatigue?

I don't think it can be discounted as a factor.  20 of 25 on the road is brutal.  They should take team field trip to Six Flags on Monday.  Clear their heads.