Nationals @ Dodgers, Game 3

[spidernat]

I blame the pitching. How in the freak is the offense supposed to mount rallies when Gonzalez yielded 2 runs to undermine the offense's morale.   

[Fan037]

Something has to be wrong with Werth.

[spidernat]

Our offense is ridiculously bad.

And that is why, even with the best rotation in baseball, we are not going to even sniff the playoff chase.

Serious changes need to be made NOW, not later.

Or people need to be fired.

This illustrates why you can't hitch your wagon to one or two players. People seriously thought that Strasburg and Harper would be saviors. They both performed well this weekend but the team still lost.

[cmdterps44]

Something has to be wrong with Werth.

Why is everyone saying this. Did I miss something?

[madj55]

how is it possible to be that late on a 91 mph fastball and you're in the big leagues? Especially when that's the ONLY freakING PITCH JANSEN THREW?! I was facing 90-92 mph pitching in high school last year and I would've had better at bats than Tracy and Flores. Pick it up you slapdicks

[hammondsnats]

yeah i don't see any more call-ups coming soon (kobernus needs to play like he is over an extended period of time, besides they aren't benching desmond/espinosa). 

just hope and pray zimmerman is ready sunday and we can win as many games as possible this week. 

[hammondsnats]

how is it possible to be that late on a 91 mph fastball and you're in the big leagues? Especially when that's the ONLY freakING PITCH JANSEN THREW?! I was facing 90-92 mph pitching in high school last year and I would've had better at bats than Tracy and Flores. Pick it up you slapdicks

it's jesus flores?

[Mr Clean]

Espinosa swung (and missed) for the fences when he needed to just put the ball in play. He should be benched, maybe even sent to AAA.

[RobDibblesGhost]

3-5 more weeks I believe. I wouldn't be surprised if a rehab assignment starts soon.

He was being completely shut down for six weeks on April 12.  It's only been just over two weeks   Then you have to reassess the situation, start a rehab assignment, etc.  We've still got a while.

Meanwhile, the Braves will likely take sole possession of first place tomorrow night.

[NatsAllThe Way]

If I was one of the starters I'd be punching holes in the locker room after every game so the hitters would get the message... Oh, and I would punch Eckstein every time I saw him.  My grandma's cat is a better batting coach.

[madj55]

it's jesus flores?

That shouldn't matter, it's inexcusable to be late on a low 90's fastball when that is the only pitch that being thrown.

[Fan037]

Why is everyone saying this. Did I miss something?

Well he was scratched at the last moment, and in a game where you needed someone to come up and get a big hit, he didn't pinch hit.

[welch]

I think bringing up Moore was one of those changes. I can't see anything else being done since we're missing 2 of our best batters. Desmond, Espinosa, Lombo, and Ramos/Flores just need to start hitting... asap.

I don't see many changes they can make. Harper and Moore were the best in AAA. Unless a team (who???) wants to trade a hitter for Lannan and espinosa, there aren't many moves available.

[NatsAllThe Way]

Desmond will never see .250 again...  What a bunch of yahoos.  Now try to imagine what will happen when our pitching comes back down to earth.  We might very well not win more than 40-50 games this year...    I'm being serious.

[PowerBoater69]

Something has to be wrong with Werth.

His head.  He chased Riggles and his one year contract out of town but Davey ain't putting up with his crap.

[cmdterps44]

He was being completely shut down for six weeks on April 12.  It's only been just over two weeks   Then you have to reassess the situation, start a rehab assignment, etc.  We've still got a while.

Yeah I'm just rounding forward. It'll be three weeks from this Thursday. If all goes well, he could possibly be set for a rehab assignment by mid May. Hopefully. I don't think we can survive until Mid-June.

Well he was scratched at the last moment, and in a game where you needed someone to come up and get a big hit, he didn't pinch hit.

Yeah I see what everyones saying. I just didn't know if there was some type of news about him. I was thinking it could be something like Moore and Nady getting playing time while giving Werth a day off. Then in the late game situation, its just Davey making a poor decision since Tracy has succeeded in that situation before.

I hope its not injury though.

[JMW IV]

Well for one, we can cease with the carrying of dead weight "veterans" on the roster and try to assemble the best 25 players we have no matter their experience level.

[Mr Clean]

Nady needs to be gone before Tuesday. He's done.

[welch]

Espinosa swung (and missed) for the fences when he needed to just put the ball in play. He should be benched, maybe even sent to AAA.

I think espinosa is just a genuine .210 hitter. Good fielder, hustles, has "attitude", but he can't hit. He hit the first week he played in September 2010 and then sluimped; he hit .200 most of last year. He's hitting about .200 now. Maybe that's his natural level.

[mitlen]

His head.  He chased Riggles and his one year contract out of town but Davey ain't putting up with his crap.

+1

[madj55]

I think espinosa is just a genuine .210 hitter. Good fielder, hustles, has "attitude", but he can't hit. He hit the first week he played in September 2010 and then sluimped; he hit .200 most of last year. He's hitting about .200 now. Maybe that's his natural level.

If that's his natural level he can pack his bags and go somewhere else.

[NatsAllThe Way]

You guys think if we traded away our entire starting rotation we could get a couple of decent bats?  Then Lannan could go back to being our #1 starter, just like old times.

[JMW IV]

His head.  He chased Riggles and his one year contract out of town but Davey ain't putting up with his crap.

Elaborate.

[NatsAllThe Way]

I think espinosa is just a genuine .210 hitter. Good fielder, hustles, has "attitude", but he can't hit. He hit the first week he played in September 2010 and then sluimped; he hit .200 most of last year. He's hitting about .200 now. Maybe that's his natural level.

Espendoza

[PowerBoater69]

Elaborate.

After I put the kids to bed or maybe in the morning as these beers are kicking in.  don't worry, I've got plenty to say about the albatross.