Author Topic: Gameday Thread: Nationals @ Cubs, Game 1 (L)  (Read 6906 times)

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Offline Senators2005

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Wow...Ken must be really frustrated.   :lol:

Livan Hernandez: 1-4, 6.52 ERA
vs.
Carlos Zambrano: 1-2, 3.88 ERA

The Washington Nationals may have questioned whether Alfonso Soriano was worth the trouble he caused in the beginning of the season, but as they start a three-game series against the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday, there's little doubt to his offensive value.

Soriano, acquired in the offseason to help a Nationals offense that was last in the majors in hits (1,367), runs (639), home runs (117) and batting average (.252), originally balked at playing in left field after playing second base for six of his 10 major league seasons. But after clearing the air with Nationals manager Frank Robinson , Soriano has proven to be the hitter they envisioned with a team-leading 12 homers, 25 RBIs and trailing only Jose Vidro with 45 hits.

''I love his makeup,'' hitting coach Mitchell Page said of Soriano, who hit 64 homers in two seasons with the Texas Rangers prior to the trade. ''He brings a lot of class. He never makes excuses. He always has a smile on his face from one at-bat to the next. He's a real professional.''

Soriano was moved back into the leadoff spot against the Atlanta Braves over the weekend after hitting third in nine of the previous 10 games and went 6-for-14 (.429) with two home runs and five RBIs against the Braves.

The left fielder is batting .346 at the top of the order as opposed to .186 when he bats third.

''I feel comfortable at home plate, not just against Atlanta,'' Soriano said. ''I have a very good swing right now.''

The Nationals (13-25) avoided their fifth straight loss and avoided a sweep Sunday against the Braves with a 8-1 win. Tony Armas struck out six in seven scoreless innings as the Nationals had their best offensive game since totaling 10 runs and 15 hits in an April 18 win at Philadelphia.

The Nationals hope Livan Hernandez (1-4, 6.52 ERA) can find some consistency at the expense of the struggling Cubs (15-22). Hernandez is looking for his first win since April 8 and trying to overcome early-game struggles that have seen him yield 19 first-inning runs.

''I gotta do something different,'' Hernandez said. ''Trust me, I'm going to be better. I know. Something good is coming. I know I'm going to be better. ... But I don't know when.''

The Nationals have lost the last six games the Cuban right-hander has started. He did not factor in the 9-6 loss Wednesday to the Cincinnati Reds , pitching 5 1-3 innings and giving up five runs and nine hits - including a two-run home run. Hernandez also walked four and struck out six.

Hernandez is 9-5 with a 4.08 ERA in 17 starts against the Cubs and has enjoyed recent success at Wrigley Field. He has won three of his last four starts there, posting a 1.67 ERA over 32 1-3 innings and pitching at least eight innings on each occasion.

Carlos Zambrano; 1-2, 3.88 ERA, will try to win consecutive starts for the Cubs after a strong performance Wednesday, when he limited the San Francisco Giants to one run and five hits in a a season-high eight innings of Chicago's 8-1 victory.

''It was the Carlos that we know and love,'' Chicago manager Dusty Baker said.

Zambrano has allowed just one run in 15 innings over his last two starts, but the right-hander is 0-2 with a 5.48 ERA in four home starts this season, walking 15 in 23 innings. The 24-year-old right-hander is 2-2 with 4.22 in seven appearances against the Nationals, including five starts.

The Cubs were shut out for the fourth time in May and swept in a three-game series by the San Diego Padres with Sunday's 9-0 defeat. Chicago, which has lost 14 of its last 16 games, has scored more than three runs just twice in that span,.

''Guys got to get together and reach back and find that pride and get this thing rolling before it's too late,'' Baker said.


Washington
1. A. Soriano lf .283  
2. J. Vidro 2b  .336  
3. N. Johnson 1b .312  
4. J. Guillen rf .227  
5. R. Church cf .250  
6. R. Zimmerman 3b  .266  
7. W. Gonzalez c  .444  
8. R. Clayton ss  .250  
9. L. Hernandez p .300  
 
Chicago Cubs
1. J. Pierre cf  .225  
2. M. Murton lf  .278  
3. T. Walker 2b  .284  
4. M. Barrett c  .281  
5. A. Ramirez 3b  .214  
6. J. Jones rf .265  
7. J. Mabry 1b .217  
8. R. Cedeno ss .288  
9. C. Zambrano p .067

Offline Senators2005

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Gameday Thread: Nationals @ Cubs, Game 1 (L)
« Reply #1: May 16, 2006, 08:16:41 PM »
Ryan Zimmerman with an AMAZING defensive play!!!!

Offline LetsGoNats

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Gameday Thread: Nationals @ Cubs, Game 1 (L)
« Reply #2: May 16, 2006, 08:19:46 PM »
Good all around defensive effort the first inning.   Plus Livan didn't give up any runs!

Offline PC

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Gameday Thread: Nationals @ Cubs, Game 1 (L)
« Reply #3: May 16, 2006, 08:20:56 PM »
Livan got out of the first inning without giving up a run!!!

Offline LetsGoNats

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Gameday Thread: Nationals @ Cubs, Game 1 (L)
« Reply #4: May 16, 2006, 08:21:48 PM »
Unfortunately, Zambrano looks really sharp so far.

Offline PC

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Gameday Thread: Nationals @ Cubs, Game 1 (L)
« Reply #5: May 16, 2006, 08:21:59 PM »
And it was a FIVE pitch inning for Livan! :shock:

Offline Senators2005

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Gameday Thread: Nationals @ Cubs, Game 1 (L)
« Reply #6: May 16, 2006, 08:22:00 PM »
Quote from: "PC"
Livan got out of the first inning without giving up a run!!!


that is rather noteworthy isn't it?   :lol:

Offline Senators2005

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Gameday Thread: Nationals @ Cubs, Game 1 (L)
« Reply #7: May 16, 2006, 08:23:19 PM »
Zimmerman gets another hit...he's on a tear lately!

Offline LetsGoNats

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Gameday Thread: Nationals @ Cubs, Game 1 (L)
« Reply #8: May 16, 2006, 08:28:30 PM »
Livan's up with 2 men on.   Three-run bomb, anyone?

Offline LetsGoNats

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Gameday Thread: Nationals @ Cubs, Game 1 (L)
« Reply #9: May 16, 2006, 08:29:16 PM »
Guess not.

Offline Senators2005

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Gameday Thread: Nationals @ Cubs, Game 1 (L)
« Reply #10: May 16, 2006, 08:29:35 PM »
nope  not this time   :|

Offline Senators2005

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Gameday Thread: Nationals @ Cubs, Game 1 (L)
« Reply #11: May 16, 2006, 08:37:58 PM »
Livan's done with two innings with only 18 pitches thrown.  Wow these Cubbies really DO SUCK.   :o

Offline PC

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Gameday Thread: Nationals @ Cubs, Game 1 (L)
« Reply #12: May 16, 2006, 08:39:25 PM »
Close, but Livan made it through two!!!  :wink:

Offline Senators2005

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Gameday Thread: Nationals @ Cubs, Game 1 (L)
« Reply #13: May 16, 2006, 08:42:34 PM »
Vidro gets on base and Nick the Stick approaches the plate.   :twisted:

edit: and flies out.... ok then lets go Jose Guillen!

edit #2: and "Anger Management" Strikes Out...oh well.   :(

Offline Senators2005

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Gameday Thread: Nationals @ Cubs, Game 1 (L)
« Reply #14: May 16, 2006, 08:51:24 PM »
Pierre gets to second on a Soriano fielding error.

Offline The Chief

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Gameday Thread: Nationals @ Cubs, Game 1 (L)
« Reply #15: May 16, 2006, 08:51:52 PM »
Is it just me or does it seem like Soriano is making more errors lately?  Like he's just slacking?

Offline Senators2005

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Gameday Thread: Nationals @ Cubs, Game 1 (L)
« Reply #16: May 16, 2006, 08:53:37 PM »
30 pitches and 3 innings over.  Is it the old Livan?  or is it just the new Cubs?  LOL

Offline Senators2005

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Gameday Thread: Nationals @ Cubs, Game 1 (L)
« Reply #17: May 16, 2006, 08:54:38 PM »
Quote from: "The Chief"
Is it just me or does it seem like Soriano is making more errors lately?  Like he's just slacking?
 He's doing the best he can as an oufielder.

Offline The Chief

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Gameday Thread: Nationals @ Cubs, Game 1 (L)
« Reply #18: May 16, 2006, 08:59:19 PM »
Quote from: "Senators2005"
Quote from: "The Chief"
Is it just me or does it seem like Soriano is making more errors lately?  Like he's just slacking?
 He's doing the best he can as an oufielder.


I'm not so sure.  After some of the amazing plays I've seen him make, the "not an outfielder" excuse doesn't fly with me anymore.  Most if not all of his errors have been over-running the ball while charging.  That's just fundamentals.

Offline Senators2005

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Gameday Thread: Nationals @ Cubs, Game 1 (L)
« Reply #19: May 16, 2006, 09:01:09 PM »
true enough Chief...in other news: we go down in order in the third.   :|

Offline PC

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Gameday Thread: Nationals @ Cubs, Game 1 (L)
« Reply #20: May 16, 2006, 09:01:16 PM »
Quote from: "Senators2005"
30 pitches and 3 innings over.  Is it the old Livan?  or is it just the new Cubs?  LOL


Now we have to make sure that we keep Zambrano's pitch count up.    Even if you don't score, which it doesn't appear we're going to do tonight, make him throw lots of pitches!

Offline Senators2005

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Gameday Thread: Nationals @ Cubs, Game 1 (L)
« Reply #21: May 16, 2006, 09:03:39 PM »
Todd Walker with a leadoff double...runner in scoring position...nobody out.   :x

edit: now runners at the corners   :?

Offline The Chief

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Gameday Thread: Nationals @ Cubs, Game 1 (L)
« Reply #22: May 16, 2006, 09:05:11 PM »
Ah, here it comes.  We knew that lousy Cubs hitting could only delay the deluge of ER's from Livan for so long.

Offline Senators2005

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Gameday Thread: Nationals @ Cubs, Game 1 (L)
« Reply #23: May 16, 2006, 09:05:56 PM »
Quote from: "The Chief"
Ah, here it comes.  We knew that lousy Cubs hitting could only delay the deluge of ER's from Livan for so long.


might need those fist sized keys of Dave B's here pretty soon...

Offline Senators2005

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Gameday Thread: Nationals @ Cubs, Game 1 (L)
« Reply #24: May 16, 2006, 09:06:43 PM »
Fielder's Choice RBI for Aramis Ramirez.

Chicago 1
Washington 0