first

Have two, Dan

Interesting. Day game after a night game in the cold where he didn't move well to block Rauch's 58 footer and Lo Duca is starting. Hope his knee feels well.

repost - What we really need Catcher50 to settle the wild pitch / passed ball dispute. But he'll never blame a catcher.

Of course I'll never blame a catcher...but, one of the first things that a catcher learns is to drop and block balls in the dirt.

Passed Ball!

He should be getting dirty especially with a runner on 3rd, more especially since that runner is the tying run, most especially since that runner is the tying run in the 9th.

Yes, it was a crappy pitch - but no way that ball should ever get by a major league catcher (heck, any catcher above high school) in that situation

Nice game by the Nat's last night. Too bad they couldn't even get a sell-out crowd there to see that exciting game. Way too many empty seats, especially at the end of the game.

Oh well, should be interesting to see how many empty seats there are come July and August.

corey, did you read my post on the last thread?

Two things from last night that I have not seen mentioned, and wonder about -

Section 407 (high up on the third base line) had 4 - 5 rows completely empty at the start of the game, and only a few people sat in them later (I am guessing, having moved from other places) - does anyone know what gives?

Pat Corrales was limping badly at the introductions - Barry, do you know what is going on with him?

All of my favorite home game moments have been mentioned, but I do have to chime in to say how fantastic both Saturday and Sunday were - great park, and we are going to have a terrific time there.

So much for Lannan being the first pitcher called-up

PTBNL: it wasn't a 58 footer. The ball was in the air at point that it passed Lo Duca's glove (near home plate; not two feet out in front). Rauch calling it a 58 footer is just him having class and trying to deflect blame from his catcher.

The sections directly behind the plate were the emptiest during the game. I don't blame those folks for going inside to their little clubhouse (they paid good money for the privilege), but it stinks that our most TV-visible section could end up looking sparsely-populated much of the time.

Strange goings on with the nats roster, we break camp with an extra positon player (14 vs 11 pitchers) and now they event it at 12 pitchers vs 13 position players, but they'll call up a position player (Maxwell) if Cordero goes on the DL.

All this does nothing to solve the puzzle of who they will demote or cut to make room for Hill, Dukes and WMP if and when they are all back.

Regardless of the injuries, before long they are going to have to make a decision on Young and Johnson, keeping two 1B only guys means you need 7 Infielders on the roster, with 2 catchers that leaves you a choice of either only carrying 4 outfielders (and since the top 4 are all righties you create more problems for the line-up) or using only 6 relievers (which makes no sense since they are the strength of the team).

Time for the hypothetical question. First game last year Guz and Nook go down. One we think we won't miss but do and the other just disappoints all year. Any potential parallels this year with Dukes and Chief?

I had 2 theories on those empty rows you mentioned. First, I thought maybe they gave those seats to the National Guardsmen who carried the flag- but then had some of those 300+ seats open they could sit in instead. Second, there was a group on the Red Porch that didn't leave all game. Its possible a whole group of ticketholders moved to the bar up there and never left.

Hey, O's Exec is back! Recovered from Saturday's smack-down of the Nats by the Birdos? What a show they put on, can't forget those monster homeruns by Nick Markakis and Adam Jones, and those O's pitchers constantly striking out Nats batters.

What, you missed that? Maybe you were hanging out in the PS3 Zone, because the O's were so bad that you didn't want to actually watch them by the 3rd inning ?

i think you will often see people in those high up 402/420 range seats spending time hanging out at the railings at the mezz level or between the mezz/upper deck along the ramps going up. those have some really great views. we watched some of the batting practice from there on the 3rd base line yesterday. not to mention the red porch area.

"Blackout: FCC Rules Mandate that this Program be Blacked-Out in your area"
"Blackout: FCC Rules Mandate that this Program be Blacked-Out in your area"
"Blackout: FCC Rules Mandate that this Program be Blacked-Out in your area"

My wife just tried to set the Tivo to record the game for me and she is getting this message on channel 74 on Cox Cable. Is anyone else seeing this?

Why isn't Nats Extra on MASN 2 but O's Extra is on MASN and there are no problems? I hate Angelos and hope the Orioles go 0-162.

"Nat's" should not be possessive.

The edit referred to the O's Exec posting.

What's the story on Dukes? Is he really injured enough to go DL or is this strike one for not running out a grounder?

I'm not going to re-post the whole thing. Rule 10.13 on WPs and PBs is in the last thread, for those who want to know.

repost:
Loved the game last night. I doubt I will ever forget it. The sound level was good last night. The concession speed was better but still needs practice. Helpful staff at Ben's Chili redirecting people to Nats Dog stands for Chili Dogs. Half Smoke with Chili was good. Steak of the Union was not good (tasteless and cold). Beer selection on the lower levels is good. Not so much on the upper levels. Orange Line to Green Line and back again was smooth and painless. If you are under the scoreboard you cannot see any information on lineups, pitch speed, etc... White lettering on red background of ribbon boards is beautiful but very hard to read when the bright stadium lights are shinning in your face. I had to keep the bill of my visor down for comfort.

Did not like the shouting of 'O' during the anthem, but liked the booing of the 'O' even less. Did not like the booing of the president, but like the president even less. Did not like the booing of Lo Duca and found it odd that he got a significantly worse reaction than Dukes. (I cheered them both).

Couple next to me: Lady says of Lo Duca "he looks small" (of stature). Man replies "well they shrink up after they quit using, but its hard to tell from here". ba-dum-bum...

Kearns gets great jumps. Milledge (who I like very much) got a couple of Nook jumps before correcting.

I was under the impression he didn't run out that grounder because his hammy was busted. Hence the Disabled List.

You punish a guy by giving him a lecture or benching him for a game, not by throwing him on the DL for two weeks.

DOn't know what channel for COX, but this game is supposed to be on MASN 2. In theory it should be broadcast without restriction. If you are an MLB Extra Innings subscriber, change to the MASN 2 channel instead of the one associated with MLB Xtra Innings.

The Post's architecture critic, Phillip Kennicott, doesn't like it.
http://tinyurl.com/2gq649
Surprised Barry hasn't linked to it, but he's on the road.

On Yahoo sports, they had an artiicle that quoted "the sellout crowd of 41,888 (39,389 paid)". that means they gave away about 2,500 tickets. With all the dignataries and such there, it seems about right.

I didn't see any empty seats in the first 5 innings, except for people waiting on very long food lines!

Great night and a great way to kick off the new digs.

About the crowd -- yeah, it was cold, but the "elevator" ambience might not change much. If Bill Veeck was right about the price of the ticket being inversely proportional to the baseball knowledge of the holder, this place ain't never going to get no smarter.

After reading the rules on Wild Pitches and Passed Balls, it appears clear that the correct ruling was Wild Pitch. But I believe the accurate scoring was passed ball, since that thing skated nearly under Lo Duca. That was the time for a flop, if ever there was one.

Oh well, at least we had a shining moment for Zimm. I'm sure there's a metaphor there.

Did not like the booing of Lo Duca and found it odd that he got a significantly worse reaction than Dukes. (I cheered them both).

Posted by: NatBisquit | March 31, 2008 02:13 PM

*********************************

I thought people were saying LoDUUUUUUUUUca and DUUUUUUUUUUkes.

I'd hope that they would gave away extra tickets to a local nonprofit organization rather than to dignitaries.

---

On Yahoo sports, they had an artiicle that quoted "the sellout crowd of 41,888 (39,389 paid)". that means they gave away about 2,500 tickets. With all the dignataries and such there, it seems about right.

Oh no - it's the dread Guuuuuz effect. :)

---

I thought people were saying LoDUUUUUUUUUca and DUUUUUUUUUUkes.

I meant "give" away. The perils of online editing. Why is it that all of my postings with typos and grammatical infelicities get through on the first try but my most insightful, scintillating posts never make it through at all? (You'll just have to take my word for it on that one.)

theraph, I did and ran across the street to Radio Shack really quick but they had nothing (well, they did but it certainly wasn't worth $100 bucks of equip. for my little $12 transistor radio) - I'm just in the middle of a building and can't get any of the 3 frequencies for 3WT. Oh well, looks like it'll be Gameday for me this afternoon.

Whoops, forgot to attach the name to the above post to theraph

I read the architecture piece, and I'm going to have to give it a thumbs down. Here's the piece, in a one paragraph excerpt:

"It passes, barely. But as sports lovers know, sports is never just sports. And architecture, especially in a world capital, is never just architecture. Nationals Park might be a better experience than RFK, but it fails to say anything larger to the city, or the world."

The question that remains is if architecture ever is even a little bit architecture. The conclusion of the Post's critic seems to be a resounding "no."

Barry,

You weren't pessimistic last night. Let's face it, that game should have been over after the top of the 9th. To let the Braves tie it up was hard to take, esp. knowing Cordero wasn't able to take the mound to go for the save.

RZ has a special knack for coming through in dramatic fashion in key situations, for sure. Is there anyone else in MLB that has done so as much as Zim the past couple of years? I can't think of anyone as clutch, except maybe Big Papi.

I read the architecture review as far as where the guy (?) was complaining about the field being the focal point of the stadium, and decided I probably wasn't the audience he was writing for.

Hey, my work is blocking the Java pop-up script, can someone post a link of Game Day up here that I can jump to?

Thanks

It's like something written by a man, on an acid trip, who thinks he's being attacked by $100 bills.

wow, don suttons hair has a golden hue to it on masn today... probably using a different perm conditioner.

corey - i hear you. bummer about today, but in the long run you probably will only miss a dozen or so games during regular working hours.

I can't get it to load for me, but here's a link:

http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2008_03_31_wasmlb_phimlb_1&mode=gameday

Nor, I, 1a. Guess I'm relying on you, crew.

A 1-2-3 top of the inning for Myers.

Great experience last night. Sat in sec. 136, just a few seats from the right field line, and was impressed with Kearns (not only quick reactions, but played the caroms very well). Highlight was seeing one of the Nats' pitchers (Hanrahan?) forced to walk to the bullpen wearing a pink "Hello Kitty" backpack -- on his front.

Also had my first baseball argument of the season, and hoping that fellow NJ'ers can help. It's a scoring question.

In the first inning, Guzman singles. Guzman moves to 3rd when Hudson makes an error throwing to 1st base. Milledge strikes out for the first out of the inning. NOW: Assume that Zimmerman had hit a long fly ball (sacrifice) that scored Guzman from 3rd, and that Johnson had struck out to end the inning. The question is: is the Guzman run an earned run for Hudson? Guzman would not have been in scoring position for the sacrifice if not for the error, but the error was on the pitcher. Does that make a difference as to whether the run is earned?

Inquiring minds ...

I can't be the only one suspicious about Cordero's "injury." C'mon. This is the first we've heard of it? And nobody knows anything until AFTER the first pitch?

He just got a bad case of the jitters.

On another forum there was speculation about a trade when he did not materialize.

Try again, 506, it just loaded for me.

Also, Niiiiiiiiiick with a leadoff 2B. (Phillies leading with one run after the first.)

What qualifications does one need to *write* about architecture, anyway? Anyone know what working architects are saying about the Park? You know, the people who actually have to design functional buildings for the millions of people who use them?

p.s. Inspired by John in Mpls, I am wearing my #24 tee today.

Cap Hill, it does not matter if the pitcher made the error as opposed to another fielder. It would be an unearned run, as would be any run that would not have scored but for an error.

Thanks, CiL!

Nope. The blog updates work.

I'm with you on this coverage. Despite all that money-making, do you know I only spent $7.50 on my Ben's and $10 on my program? The article misses out on how fantastic every seat is and how intimate a 41,000 person capacity stadium feels. That's amazing.

1) how did the Phillies score?
2) how did we get runners on the corners with only 1 hit?

Rollins got a double, scored on a sac fly.

Johnson got a double, Lo Duca got HBP. Johnson advanced to third on a long fly ball.

Harris walked and Chico struck out to end the inning.

Well, the half-inning.

I think that the phantom post was me (the site barked at me just before that).

If you're having "flash" issues at your office like me and can't get the MLB Gameday then CBS Sportsline has a pretty good one that doesn't require flash.

Yea, and then hopefully the lil lady lets me watch them at home.....getting her to agree to a 81-gamer was good enough so I don't want to push my luck.

Watching the pitch track on ESPN gamecast sure seems like the ump has been giving Myers that inside corner (generously) on our righties. Can anyone watching confirm?

Thanks, Corey. I couldn't remember who else had a Gameday feature and tried only ESPN.

I'm just Charlie and Daveing it.

Looks like Chico is racking up the pitch count. Over/under on when one of our starters can make it to the 7th inning? I say Tax Day, April 15

Still Phillies 1-0 after 2.

April 13th.

Oh wait, that's when Hill comes back.

18th then.

April 1. Oh wait, that's an off day. :)

A 1-2-3 inning for Chico (K, FO, FO). That was looking, BTW, but I can't do a backwards "K."

1-2-3 should help his pitch count. Anybody watching on television? If so, how's the new leg kick looking?

\|
/|

Anyone know where MASN2 is on Direct TV?
Thanks

Zimmerman walk-off!
A new stadium also.
Are we not lucky?

Let's play two

Thanks for the symbols, o mystery poster.

Bob L., as I type in the top of the 4th, Chico has thrown 52 pitches, 29 of them for strikes.

Thanks, 1a, I've been peeking at gameday between conference calls.

Phils have men at first and third with nobody out. Let's go Matty.

Chico's pitch count is getting up there....looks like he's falling behind guys early by not being able to locate his breaking stuff, thus, making him groove an 88 mph special right down the pipe

Hopefully, he gets through this inning.

Pat the Bat singled in a run, but then Chico struck out Feliz and Werth. Two down.

And Ruiz popped out. Nice escape by Chico.

MASN2 is 671 on Direct TV.

Well, holy crap whatdya know...he worked out of it. Guys on the corners with nobody out and that line-up, only gave up a run....won't pretty but I'll take it.

It's a little early in the season for "I'll take it" though, right?

I mean isn't "survive and advance" usually reserved for September and October?

Oh well, who knows....c'mon Matty C, get it together baby

I'm afraid my expectations for this team and enthusiasm over last night's game have combined to form unrealistic visions of grandor in my head. I'm finding it very hard to find patience for Chico right now...

Is anyone else shocked that Manny is letting Chico bat in the top of the fifth with the high pitch count already?

How's that for rolling the line-up over

L-Millz gets plunked with a 2-strike pitch to load 'em up for THE MAN

Zim's sacrifice puts the Nats on the board.

Solid job sac'ing to RF too, gets Guz to 3rd with 2 down....c'mon Nick something in the gap and take the lead

wahoooo kearnsy!!!!

Kearnsy doubled with the bags juiced to put the good guys on top

And a walk to Nick "OBP" J. loads 'em up for Kearnsy, who doubles in Guz and Millz. Go Nats!

Alright alright.

Zim sacrifice, NJ walk, Kearns double scores 2, Lo Duca ROE scores 1

Go Nats!!

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA Rollins!

Ooooooh, Philly, I hate you

Nice. First Chico avoids the big inning. Then he leads off with a hit, and the Nats get the big inning instead. Baseball is great.

That gives us 4-2 Nats in the middle of the 5th if you're scoring along at home.

Come on, 506, give us one of those sweet Phillies rants. :)

---

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA Rollins!

Ooooooh, Philly, I hate you

in fairness to Chico, the ump is totally squeezing him on the low pitches. Chico has had some great pitches right at the knees (where you want them to be in that silly ballpark) that the ump hasn't called once for a strike for him (but Myers has gotten a couple).

Chico has looked decent. Not great, but so far hasn't seemed rattled. Great to see him get out of the 4th the way he did.

Myers is now out of the game after 5.

Myers chased from the game after 5 innings. Guess I'll be quiet now about Chico, hopefully he'll hold on to the lead and hand it over to the bullpen.

Another 1-2-3 for Chico.

In a fit of irrational exuberance, I am now projecting the Nats to start the season 25-9.

Why doesn't gameday load? This is killing me . . . please keep the updates coming

Who on SportsCenter said it last night?

"Everybody is going to win 50 and lose 50, it's what you do in those other 62 that matter."

25-9 is a heckuva better in a 62 game sample than 9-25.....hope you went to church Sun. before the game Bob, need all the karma we can get

lowcountry, try ESPN's GameCast. it's working well for me, but I couldn't get Gameday.

P.S. BLASTINGSSSSS (that's a homer, for those of you with no feed.)

Magnificent Milledge!

Blastings firsties

BOOOOOOOOOyyyyyyyyyaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh! and milledge goes deep!

L-Millz goes YA YA.

Hence, the inherent idiocy of "Firsts". Alas.

Well done Mr. Milledge, well done.

Way to break out of that "slump" Lastings!

Oh, my!

I'll high-five with you all day, every day if you're going to do that L-Millz....to heck with those guys in Queens

Also, as Matt Chico's mom, I have to thank all the Nats for the run support this year.

just caught this from olney's blog:

"Even before Sunday night's game, some Braves also mentioned how impressed they were with the Nationals' lineup."

Milledge -- 2 run bomb

Church -- weak grounder to the pitcher

Schneider -- foul pop-up to the catcher

The Trade -- priceless

Well, Corey, I did attend the Church of Baseball on Sunday, does that count?

Ooops. Chico just gave up a tatter to Utely. Single jobber still 3 up.

Chico Ks Howard and is removed for Hanrahan. Let's see if Joel can continue the scoreless streak now that it counts.

Joel Hanrahan -- WOW!!!

Chico then K'd Howard and left the game. Hanrahan came in and struck out Burrell and Feliz.

Atta Baby, Hanrahan!

6-3 Nats after 6.

Dang right it counts Bob...we're not biased around these parts, we're equal opportunity people - no need to discriminate one church from the other: the Church of Baseball is perfectly sufficient

But remember, the chicken bones only break the curse of silent bats if you really believe

I ask Jobu to come, take fear from bats.

Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill

If "Major League" taught us anything, it is that KFC makes a perfectly good substitute for a sacraficial chicken in order to improve batting

I think that maybe we woke up the wrong batters?

How do you know baseball is back? Washington and Philly are in extra innings.

i hate ray king.

Our Freakin Bullpen stinks, who the heck ever said that was our strength... Ridiculous! Just ridiculous!

Hanrahan set it up with the leadoff walk (I hate leadoff walks most of all).

New post. I feel a Phillies rant coming on...

Everybody step back from the ledge and use the "count to ten" rule