Nationals @ Mets, Game 3

[nats2playoffs]

Well, Livan ain't going anywhere.

Except maybe HERE:



THANK YOU, LIVAN!!!!
                     

[PANatsFan]

Ah, sounds like Livo took himself out. Livo is always honest about whether he is ok or feeling he is running out of gas.

Yeah he hates going out early, too. He's earned it.

[ernie0326]

BANG ZOOM BABYYYYY!

[OldChelsea]

Good to see the Nats take two of three from the Mess on the road this weekend...meanwhile, the Caps lost to the Bruins in a shoot-out at the Phone Booth this afternoon, and yesterday DC United lost to a first-year expansion team (Philadelphia Union) and the Freedom dropped their season opener as well...

...our summer sports hopes could well be riding on the Mystics and...the NATIONALS???!!!???

[imref]

Its always Nieves fault.

For everything.

This!

Nieves should have told him to lower his shoulder and plow through Barajas.

[blue911]

This!

Nieves should have told him to lower his shoulder and plow through Barajas.

If it's faster to run through the base at first, then isn't it faster to run through the base at home?

[nats2playoffs]

If it's faster to run through the base at first, then isn't it faster to run through the base at home?

Unless there is a force-out at home, a tag is required.  An out can be recorded at first by simply tagging the base with your foot, while holding the ball.  That's why it's silly to slide into first. It makes no sense to discontinue a full gallop towards first in order to slow down sliding.  The batter should be trying to get there ASAP before the ball and the force out.

[blue911]

Unless there is a force-out at home, a tag is required.  An out can be recorded at first by simply tagging the base with your foot, while holding the ball.  That's why it's silly to slide into first. It makes no sense to discontinue a full gallop towards first in order to slow down sliding.

A sliding runner is easier to block off the base and tag. The reason you slide into second and third is to decelerate, but that isn't a necessity at home.

[Roarin Storen]

I guess the sock'em boppem robots will return for tomorrow!

[The Chief]

What crow am I eating?

Do you not think it would be frustrating to hit against him?

No I was just busting your chops over his outstanding performance.  Livo's stuff is probably about the speed I COULD hit

[nats2playoffs]

A sliding runner is easier to block off the base and tag. The reason you slide into second and third is to decelerate, but that isn't a necessity at home.

I think sliding into FIRST is idiotic.  If the catcher is just catching the ball to make a tag at home, a runner touching an edge of the plate might be harder to tag.  But I agree; running as fast as possible could be the best thing to do, in many situations. 

I just saw Baseball Tonight's replay of Dunn barreling over the catcher...
 

[Kevrock]

A sliding runner is easier to block off the base and tag. The reason you slide into second and third is to decelerate, but that isn't a necessity at home.

That's why they invented hook slides, to get around the tag when the ball beats you. Around the catcher or through the catcher, either one is an option but what Dunn did is not an option and was clearly on Nieves.

I think sliding into FIRST is idiotic.  If the catcher is just catching the ball to make a tag at home, a runner touching an edge of the plate might be harder to tag.  But I agree; running as fast as possible could be the best thing to do, in many situations. 

The time that you slide into first is not when you are in a foot race but when a throw to first is wide, pulling the first baseman off the bag and making a tag necessary.

[ColtonWillems]

Now that my Rangers are out until October (I'd wish you Caps fans here luck but I hate the Caps) it's all Nationals for me.

Love beating the Mets, let's let the winning streak roll!

[KnorrForYourMoney]

A sliding runner is easier to block off the base and tag. The reason you slide into second and third is to decelerate, but that isn't a necessity at home.

You slide to try to knock the ball out.  If they're blocking the base, they have to put the ball right on your foot.

[The Chief]

Moved hockey discussion to the Caps thread.

[tomterp]

Nothing can save us in this matchup.

The odds of beating Santana with Livo starting are practically nil

 

[Minty Fresh]

More examples of why baseball is not a gambling sport.

[tomterp]

What a great game. 

I had my XM outside, working in the yard, but also the TV on in the basement where I could run in quickly if there was a play to see.  Fantastic day!  Livan was his masterful best.    5th, 6th, 7th he was changing speeds and hitters were visibly off balance, flailing and making weak contact.  I love watching him pitch when he's on his game, like today. 

Plenty of leadership in that start too, hope the other starters were paying attention.   

[blue911]

That's why they invented hook slides, to get around the tag when the ball beats you. Around the catcher or through the catcher, either one is an option but what Dunn did is not an option and was clearly on Nieves.

The time that you slide into first is not when you are in a foot race but when a throw to first is wide, pulling the first baseman off the bag and making a tag necessary.

The hook slide is great but I doubt if there are 10 guys that can actually slide like that. I know Adam Dunn isn't one of them. Nyjer Morgan can't nor can any of the head first guys. All sliding would have accomplished in Dunn's case was get his pants dirty. Dunn's talents are so limited to the slugging arts that saying another player is at fault is silly. Dunn doesn't slide as much as he drops anchor.

[PANatsFan]

Dunn's best bet is scaring the bejeezus out of the catcher because he is huge.

[blue911]

Dunn's best bet is scaring the bejeezus out of the catcher because he is huge.

His best bet would be to blow up the catcher and not tip toe into home.

[PANatsFan]

His best bet would be to blow up the catcher and not tip toe into home.

Is there an echo?

[blue911]

You slide to try to knock the ball out.  If they're blocking the base, they have to put the ball right on your foot.

1) It's against the rules to try and kick the ball out of a players glove.
2) the catcher will kick your ass if you even think about it.

[CJames0569]

1) It's against the rules to try and kick the ball out of a players glove.
2) the catcher will kick your ass if you even think about it.

Ya sliding into home with your cleats up and trying to kick the ball out is kind of dirty, Dunn might not get his ass kicked but could expect one in his ear hole the next AB. I think instead you just try and freight-train the catcher like he did the previous play at home.

[The Chief]

His best bet would be to blow up the catcher and not tip toe into home.

The catcher wasn't in his path.  In fact, he was so far to Dunn's left that he had to reach back to apply the tag.