One in the books
(How many consecutive days can I use that as a title for a post?)
So Jason Simontacchi started today, and he's known for his control. Not going to overpower anybody, especially after a series of arm problems. Pitched in independent ball last year. Nice changeup.
And Simontacchi needed only 11 pitches to get out of the first inning, nine of them strikes. The oddity: Both of the balls hit batters -- an 0-2 pitch to Adam Everett and an 0-2 pitch to Lance Berkman. Simontacchi used a double-play ball to get out of the inning (a double play started by 2B Felipe Lopez, who has looked pretty good at second thus far).
And what do you know? The Nationals jump to a lead! The Nationals jump to a lead! They got a scoreless first inning from their starter, and then ...
One-out walk to Guzman (the patient hitter we know and love); Zimmerman single to left (shocker); Kearns a double to left, scoring Guzman to go up 1-0; Schneider looks at strike three; two-run single from Chris Snelling; Travis Lee grounds out.
End of one: Nationals 3, Astros 0
By Barry Svrluga |
March 8, 2007; 1:18 PM ET
Previous: Patterson: An A in the B game |
Next: Through four
Posted by: Brian | March 8, 2007 1:30 PM
Barry, with Escobar hurt, does this help Snellings case? if he's hitting...
Posted by: NationalsPride Mike | March 8, 2007 1:34 PM
Hey Barry, heard somewhere you were thinking about keeping the Journal lit all season long.
Great idea!
Posted by: Sam | March 8, 2007 1:37 PM
Is the Post keeping track of the hits to your Journal? I know it's got to be high just from my visits alone.
Posted by: rgib | March 8, 2007 1:45 PM
What Sam said.
Posted by: CoNATStant Lurker | March 8, 2007 1:45 PM
Ack. Simontacchi gets his ERA to the low 4'2 in the 4th inning, gives up a 2-run homer, and the 7 ERA makes his chances of making the club plunge.
Posted by: Kevin | March 8, 2007 1:58 PM
Post a Comment
We encourage users to analyze, comment on and even challenge washingtonpost.com's articles, blogs, reviews and multimedia features.
User reviews and comments that include profanity or personal attacks or other inappropriate comments or material will be removed from the site. Additionally, entries that are unsigned or contain "signatures" by someone other than the actual author will be removed. Finally, we will take steps to block users who violate any of our posting standards, terms of use or privacy policies or any other policies governing this site. Please review the full rules governing commentaries and discussions.
Any word on how Hanrahan pitched in his second outing?