Nationals @ Twins, Game 1

[nats2playoffs]

When Livan left us, he would have already been out of the game because he would have given up 5 or 6 runs by now.

That's because other teams have REAL major league batters, who can hit the crap out of someone like Livan.  With the exception of when we had Soriano, the Nationals have been dead last or close to it in most hitting categories, since 2005.

Moreau homers.

Nationals 1
Evil Twins 2

[sportsfan882]

How embarrassingly terrible. Can we freaking have any worse ABs? This is bullcrap.

[JMUalumni]

This is probably the easiest park to hit balls out of and we cant even get it out of the infield.

[PC]

This is a shameful performance. 

[sportsfan882]

This is a shameful performance. 

It's unforgivable. 5 baserunners and only 1 run through 7 innings against Livan?

Using Livan's WHIP (1.67) and ERA (5.75) we should have had 12 baserunners and 5 runs at this point.

[hammondsnats]

I swear to God if John Lannan doesn't get the win tonight I'm gonna shoot myself.

I can't believe the ump didn't call that one pitch a strike to Joe Mauer.

[nats2playoffs]

This is a shameful performance. 

Plus the ump was paid to call strikes on Livan's balls that are 8 inches outside the plate.  Manny should blow his stack the next time he gets one of those calls.  Stop being a puss.

[JMUalumni]

I swear to God if John Lannan doesn't get the win tonight I'm gonna shoot myself.

I feel the same way, this kid pitches his heart out everytime.  What more can we ask for from a rookie?  He has 13 starts and has only let up more than 2 runs 4 times (including 5 of those times where he only let up 0 or 1 runs). 

[PC]

After this game, a reporter mention that Hernandez has given up 7 earned runs in his last two outings and ask why his team can't do something like that?  Then ask how the team prepared to face Livan?

[sportsfan882]

Plus the ump was paid to call strikes on Livan's balls that are 8 inches outside the plate.  Manny should blow his stack the next time he gets one of those calls.  Stop being a puss.

(Image removed from quote.)

Yep, Livan has gotten anything within 8 inches of the plate all night but of course he won't give Lannan the same calls. Lannan throws a curve ball right on the corner to punch out Mauer but the umpire doesn't make the call just because we are the Washington Nationals.

[JMUalumni]

That will do it for Lannan I assume, he is at 103 pitches.... they usually pull our guys at 100.

[Dave B]

please let this be the inning where livan stays in for one batter too long

[sportsfan882]

7 IP 5 H 2 R 2 ER 2 BB 3 K final line for Lannan. This is Lannan's third outing in a row where he has allowed exactly 2 runs and taken the loss. He now has a 3.36 ERA on the season but will be 4-8. 

[JMUalumni]

What are you doing with that swing belliard?!!!

[Dave B]

please let this be the inning where livan stays in for one batter too long

damn you gardenhire

[sportsfan882]

Belliard was awful tonight. Just awful.

[nats2playoffs]

ACTIVATE BATS

[JMUalumni]

damn you gardenhire

Rookie of the Year?

[sportsfan882]

good AB, Lopez. This is just brutal. Very winnable game lost because our offense is little league.

[PatsNats28]

5 pages through 8 innings.. wow

[sportsfan882]

It's going to be comical to watch Joe Nathan own us in the 9th to clinch the win.

[Obed_Marsh]

The game is not lost yet.

[2k6nats]

We can't touch Guerrier...bring on Joe Nathan!

[sportsfan882]

5 pages through 8 innings.. wow

That's the same number of baserunners we have had tonight.

[eagleskins]

Nathan is the best closer in the league.  We won't even put the ball in play.