Nationals @ Reds, Game 4

[welch]

Was that a crude play by Garcia? Moves his head away from the grounder and the throw half off the bag?

[Slateman]

Garcia has the yips

[welch]

Well, Garcia still looks clumsy at SS, but that was a good hit and RBI.

[welch]

A lead, by golly!

[van lingle mungo]

Now up 4-3. Can Corbin cough up two leads today? I believe it's possible....likely even.

[Natsinpwc]

Corbin’s ERA dips below 7.00!!!!!!!

Taking my advice today and at least throwing strikes.

[Smithian]

Corbin on pace for a quality start!

[Smithian]

Extend Franco (for an affordable deal to be a backup corner infielder)

[Dave in Fairfax]

Alright, Franco!

[welch]

Corbin on pace for a quality start!

Maybe these days, five innings should be a quality start, and six considered a complete game?

[NatsAllThe Way]

Francodong!

[welch]

Extend Franco (for an affordable deal to be a backup corner infielder)

Extend Franco and Hernandez and let them start, unless the Nats are offered prospects who are likely to be better. Aside from House, it is hard to find infielders on the Nats' farm teams.

[Natsinpwc]

I know people are frustrated with Corbin and for obvious reasons. However no reason to remove him from the rotation. Even if they could find a better starter which is doubtful it only means a couple more wins for a non contending team. And the guy has two years left on his contract and is untradeble. Just need to keep trotting him out there and hope for the best.

[Smithian]

Extend Franco and Hernandez and let them start, unless the Nats are offered prospects who are likely to be better. Aside from House, it is hard to find infielders on the Nats' farm teams.

Someone will want Cesar Hernandez. Quality super sub or bottom of the lineup batter for a contender.

Not sure anyone will want Franco. Since Bell is definitely gone and Cruz probably is, may want to keep Franco to eat starts at both corner IF spots. Noll has collapsed in Rochester and we don’t have many guys in line in the high minors for 3B and 1B.

[Natsinpwc]

I would be reluctant to extend Franco for much $. He was terrible last year and if you give him too much money he will likely regress. If he continues to hit well he will want to test the market. Let home do that. I think you can find someone as good as him in the market. Maybe even spend a bit and get someone better. Need to find batters with some power.

[welch]

Someone will want Cesar Hernandez. Quality super sub or bottom of the lineup batter for a contender.

Not sure anyone will want Franco. Since Bell is definitely gone and Cruz probably is, may want to keep Franco to eat starts at both corner IF spots. Noll has collapsed in Rochester and we don’t have many guys in line in the high minors for 3B and 1B.

Don't have any 2B, either. My hunch is that the Nats can sign a free agent 1B and another for DH. Just no need for another Jordy Barley sort on infielder. And House is a year or two away from MLB.

[KV]

Soto now within .001 of Thomas for the lowest BA of our starters.

[welch]

Relief pitchers from here on. Now the fun begins...

[welch]

Two outs down, Seven to go.

[welch]

Make that six to go.

[welch]

Garcia does OK on the pivot. No, he doesn't look as smooth as Luis Aparicio or Zorro Versalles, but good enough.

[welch]

Ouch. The hit and the 4th run.

[welch]

Well, three more outs to go.

[welch]

How about the new Luis?

[Dave in Fairfax]

So, no add-on runs, and a 1-run margin. I suppose this would be clenched-cheeks time if this season mattered.