Wrapping up a Friday
Marlins 4, Nats 1. Tyler Clippard allows a wind-aided homer to lead off the game, and said afterward that this early in the spring, "My command's not where I need it to be." Fair enough. He's a command guy, and that has to -- and I'm sure will -- improve.
Jason Stanford followed with two good innings, Mike BAcsik was wacked around for three hits and two runs in his inning of work, and Saul Rivera mopped up with a perfect ninth.
Offensively, not much to say. Ryan Zimmerman had two singles in his two at-bats, and he's 3 for 3 (including G'Town game, which won't count in stats) on the spring. "He looks ready," Acta said. Zimmerman said he's now very comfortable when he arrives at spring training. "Just having a couple years experience helps," he said.
Nick Johnson had his first hit, a single up the middle. But he clearly is not happy with his swing. When Johnson doesn't feel comfortable, he says he's "sliding" or "skating," meaning his weight is getting out on his front foot too early, and he's not allowing the ball to travel to him. He really concentrates on staying back on the ball and not reaching for it. That takes time, particularly after a year off.
Rob Mackowiak injured himself rounding first base on an error. He had hernia surgery in October, and the athletic trainers think he just broke up some scar tissue in his side. He's listed as day-to-day, but I wouldn't expect one of those days to be tomorrow.
And Bret Boone: In his second at-bat, he doubled. He was quite excited about it afterward. "It felt great," he said, and it was clearly a bit emotional for him, even in spring training, even when making the team is a long shot. It was his first at-bat since July 30, 2005. The next day, he was released by the Twins.
Have a good Friday night. John Patterson on tap vs. the Orioles tomorrow. Should be fun.
By Barry Svrluga |
February 29, 2008; 5:50 PM ET
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Posted by: Scott in Shaw | February 29, 2008 6:04 PM
Who pitches for the Os?
Posted by: 6th and D | February 29, 2008 6:11 PM
Attaboy, Boonie, or AB, or whatever your nickname of choice happens to be.
Posted by: natsfan1a | February 29, 2008 6:14 PM
I think I read it was Cabrera for the Os.
Posted by: natsfan1a | February 29, 2008 6:14 PM
This wouldn't be AB, because that is his brother Aaron Boone. He used to call himslef "The Boone," which probably made a lot more sense and was funnier around the time "The Big Lebowski" came out (1998).
No matter who is pitching for the O's, I will need a cup to collect my bile. I do not care if it is Spring Training. I want my pound of Bird flesh. I rooted for the O's mildly while keeping my childhood loyatly when I moved here in 1991. Now i enjoy despising them the way i hated the Yankees growing up. It had been Steinbrenner, now it is Angelos.
My two favorite teams are the Nationals, and whoever is playing the Orioles.
Posted by: Positively Half St. | February 29, 2008 6:22 PM
The Dude: Hey, careful, man, there's a beverage here!
Posted by: 6th and D | February 29, 2008 6:44 PM
Thanks, PHS, I must have had a synapse lapse there. Gotta keep my Boone's straight. Now that you mention it, I do recall reading about "The Boone." I kinda like it.
---
This wouldn't be AB, because that is his brother Aaron Boone. He used to call himslef "The Boone," which probably made a lot more sense and was funnier around the time "The Big Lebowski" came out (1998).
Posted by: natsfan1a | February 29, 2008 7:17 PM
Also, my rug was stolen.
Posted by: the dude | February 29, 2008 7:19 PM
Nat fans rejoice! Bacsik looks as good this year as he did last year!
Posted by: Drew | February 29, 2008 7:21 PM
Bacsik will have a hard time making the team IMO.
Posted by: Cut me Mick | February 29, 2008 7:22 PM
Bummer on losing. I guess I had visions of us dominating right out of the gate.
It's only spring training, it's only spring training, it's only spring training...
Posted by: NatsNut | February 29, 2008 8:39 PM
Here's hoping Johnny Pat takes another step in re-establishing his 05 form. I'm rootin for ya JP.
Posted by: SC Nats Fan | February 29, 2008 10:35 PM
Of course it's only spring training. Frankly, I'm encouraged at many levels.
1. Acta indicated that he was spending the winter working on understanding stats. By this I assume that he is concerned with some of the more esoteric numbers (OPS, VORP, etc.). I suspect that he will always be much more of an eyeball/experience manager but his openness to using numbers is the sign of someone willing to learn and take in new knowledge.
2. The team seems to know how and who will be playing most of the year. In looking at folks like Bacsik, I'm sure that they are just trying to determine whether a proven veteran or a kid, who may be better served with more innings in the minors is a better bet for the last couple of spots on the roster.
3. The kid outfielders are being given a solid shot to see who will be number 4 and whether the 5 should be a B. Boone, or a Langerhans.
4. Catching is still a concern and I'm guessing that it is the one very undecided position. Somewhere in the back of my mind I wonder if there are members of the F/O still thinking that Flores might be ready to be the #1. I know about the other contracts, but either of them could be traded if the team decides to pull the trigger. Not saying it's going to happen, but I just wonder if it's sitting in the back of someone's mind.
Posted by: Catcher50 | February 29, 2008 10:45 PM
b.boone isn't in contention for OF, he's only there for 2B. so it won't be him or langerhans (and i really hope langerhans isn't even in the equation, i'd prefer to see Mackowiak or Harris than langerhans.
Posted by: 231 | February 29, 2008 11:34 PM
Personally I hope the fifth outfielder is Escobar. I know he has been a little fragile, but when he has been healthy he has been pretty impressive.
Posted by: Twinbrook | March 1, 2008 6:59 AM
There is little doubt that Escobar can muddy up the 5th outfielder equation, should he remain injury free in ST and show the same penchant for bashing the ball he did before his most recent setback. I'd like to see him be able to fulfill the promise he has demonstrated in the past. Perhaps his body type is suited for part time play rather than the daily grind of an everyday player.
Posted by: SC Nats Fan | March 1, 2008 8:12 AM
Alex Escobar has been given more chances than Jeff George. There's always that tease about some amazing tools that doesn't seem to work out in the end.
Of course, Jeff George experiments kept ending because he was not a very good quarterback in spite of his tools. Escobar is a very good baseball player made of balsa wood.
I hope he can stay healthy and make the roster.
Posted by: Positively Half St. | March 1, 2008 8:26 AM
Still waiting for that story on MASN... is the Washington Post or the N.Y. Post?
Posted by: Wooden U. Lykteneau | March 1, 2008 9:01 AM
Hey Barry -
I'm totally serious when I say "He's listed as day-to-day, but I wouldn't expect one of those days to be tomorrow." is a very funny line. I'm noticing a little more style these days and liking it. You trying out for the old Kornheiser Style section column??? Go for it!!
Posted by: nova nats fan | March 1, 2008 9:11 AM
The comments to this entry are closed.
I'm rooting for Boone. I don't know why. I guess I like comeback stories.