Nationals @ Dodgers, Game 3

[pazzo83]

He's just as responsible as the offense. There's no reason to get beat by their best hitter there with first base open and a tied game.

Justin Turner is not the Dodgers' best hitter.  You have got to be kidding me.

[sportsfan882]

Turner is the best hitter?!?!

Yes, in this point in time. No doubt about it.

[mmzznnxx]

At least the coaching staff will have all off day tomorrow to think about these sorts of late inning situations.

They won't. Matt Williams blows.

[Burgess]

no runs after 7 innings? its hard to blame JZ where 0 runs are scored

[rileyn]

So tired of FP or Matt Williams say our pitcher only threw one bad pitch all day.  How about the other team?  Did their pitcher make NO bad pitches at all?  Of course they did, but the hitter has to do something with it.

[Lintyfresh85]

Well, crap.

[Bloo]

no runs after 7 innings? its hard to blame JZ where 0 runs are scored

Exactly, if this was 2009 when they had a potent offense, he'd be the winning pitcher.

[rileyn]

no runs after 7 innings? its hard to blame JZ where 0 runs are scored

Agreed.  Mailing in our at bats to get on the plane and get home as quickly as possible.

[sportsfan882]

Disaster of a road trip has gone under the radar for some reason. 3-6 is unacceptable for a team with playoff aspirations.

These last two games illustrate how unprepared this team is to handle high leverage situations vs premium competition.

[pazzo83]

Disaster of a road trip has gone under the radar for some reason. 3-6 is unacceptable for a team with playoff aspirations.

These last two games illustrate how unprepared this team is to handle high leverage situations vs premium competition.

You mean how they lit up King Felix?

[PC]

The Nationals always crack first in situations like this and the playoffs are full of situations like this.

[sportsfan882]

Joc Pederson is not ready for the Big Leagues. Looks embarrassing.

[sportsfan882]

You mean how they lit up King Felix?

That was one game. What hurts most was losing all 3 to Philly and losing today's imminently winnable game vs a AAA pitcher.

[mmzznnxx]

You mean how they lit up King Felix?

Unless it's game 7 of the World Series, who gives a crap about one game? They looked awful in Philadelphia and they've looked awful these past two games. The Braves aren't as far behind as everyone wants to believe.

[pazzo83]

That was one game. What hurts most was losing all 3 to Philly and losing today's imminently winnable game vs a AAA pitcher.

And we are still 6 games up.

[mitlen]

Billy Bob is the man in the bullpen.

[pazzo83]

Unless it's game 7 of the World Series, who gives a crap about one game? They looked awful in Philadelphia and they've looked awful these past two games. The Braves aren't as far behind as everyone wants to believe.

They looked pretty good in 2 games against Seattle and game one here.  Last night they faced one of the best pitchers in the history of baseball, so we'll let that go.  Today is disappointing, but like you said, it's one game.

[sportsfan882]

And we are still 6 games up.

We were up 8. And then 7. 6 is okay but if it gets any lower it's time to push the panic button.

I'd like to have a little bit of cushion before they come to town on Monday.

[pazzo83]

We were up 8. And then 7. 6 is okay but if it gets any lower it's time to push the panic button.

I'd like to have a little bit of cushion before they come to town on Monday.

Look, we are going to have to beat the Braves AT HOME to win the division.  Sack up.

[PC]

You can't possibly mention Felix Hernandez when they LOSE to a bum like this!  This is 10 times worse than beating Hernandez was good.

They didn't just lose.  They didn't even get a runner to third base against a AAA pitcher who's never started a major league game and has an ERA over 5.

[mmzznnxx]

They looked pretty good in 2 games against Seattle and game one here.  Last night they faced one of the best pitchers in the history of baseball, so we'll let that go.  Today is disappointing, but like you said, it's one game.

A pitcher who we'd have a good chance of facing twice in the playoffs. Good to see you're conceding those already. Doesn't matter who you're facing, score runs or GTFO.

[sportsfan882]

Jordan Zimmermann vs random AAA scrub and we still can't win. And it's going to be easier in playoffs vs Ryu and Greinke?? We aren't going to get luxury of facing Carmona in the playoffs.

[spidernat]

He's just as responsible as the offense. There's no reason to get beat by their best hitter there with first base open and a tied game.

Unload an entire clip into your mouth SF. 

[Bloo]

You can't possibly mention Felix Hernandez when they LOSE to a bum like this!  This is 10 times worse than beating Hernandez was good.

They didn't just lose.  They didn't even get a runner to third base against a AAA pitcher who's never started a major league game and has an ERA over 5.

J.D. Martin pitched well sometimes too.

[sportsfan882]

Look, we are going to have to beat the Braves AT HOME to win the division.  Sack up.

Agreed. If we get swept they would be only 2-3 games back with ~20 games left. That thought terrifies me but it's a possibility if the Nats don't come to play.