"We're a little worried."
(Manny Acta, via Washington Post, 5/12/2008)
Marlins 5, Nats 4: Ayala blows up again. Hey, how come Hill didn't start the eighth?
O'Connor demoted. A little quick with the hook, though, don't you think -- was there any harm in giving him one more start? Next up for #5 slot is Bergmann, right?
(AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
"As the pitching goes, we go...It seems kind of unfair to throw it on the starting pitching, but if you look at any good team in Major League Baseball, they have good starting pitching."
(Ryan Zimmerman, via Washington Times, 05/10/2008)
Marlins 11, NAAAts 0: Zim rips starters post-game. Mike O'Connor, piss poor. Maybe try Bergmann again?
(AP Photo/Nick Wass)
"Am I going to be able to perform and throw seven innings, one hit like I did in Philadelphia the first start of the year, every time out? No. Not at all. But there comes a time when I need to step up, take control and get through six innings."
(Tim Redding, via Washington Times, 5/10/2008)
Marlins 7, Nats 3: Redding's a wreck; Nats have no answers for Marlins, yet again.
Dukes is back, at long last! But is he a time bomb ticking on the bench?
Nats survive MAAtt Chico's first appearance out of the 'pen.
(Photo of derailed train via CHS dot org)
"This is my first blog of many this season."
(Ryan Zimmerman, via Ryan Zimmerman's blog, 5/3/2008)
Zim suffering from blog burnout? A plea from The Nationals Enquirer: Please don't quit, Zim!
A day after the DC blogging scene was abuzz over the news of the emergence of Ryan Zimmerman's blog, with reactions from blogging pros and joes alike ranging from outrage to shock to over analysis to derision, here at The Nationals Enquirer we're going on record and fully endorsing Zim's first blog. Hopefully, this is the first of many, many blogs for Zim.
Why?
Since an 0-5 performance the same day as his first blog post (May 3), Zimmerman has been on fire: 8-14, 2 HR, 4RBI. Coincidence? We think not. But is Zim suffering from blog burnout? He hasn't posted in 6 days, which in blog-time tranlates roughly to 6 months. Keep blogging Zim! Don't listen to the naysayers. We've added you to our blog roll!
(AP Photo/Dave Einsel)
"That's what we need. We need everybody to chip in whenever they get their opportunity."
(Manny Acta, via Washington Post, 5/9/2008)
Nats 8, Astros 3: Lannan back on track. Little things add up to big win.
(AP Photo/Dave Einsel)
Lo Duca headed to the disabled list with a fractured hand.
Next question: how soon after the 4-6 weeks it'll take for his hand to heal can they simply release him? Hey, at least he's got a future in coaching (just not coaching involved with throwing out would-be base stealers)!
Estrada heading off to the DL, too. Nationals Journal says Jesus Flores will return from exile in AAA as the starter, with Mr. Walkoff Wil Nieves backing up.
"The guy was being obnoxious the whole night. I just kept my mouth shut and didn't say anything. Then I'm coming off the field, and he told me I was a [wimp]. So I said, "If I'm a [wimp], come outside and wait for me.' He turned red as a freaking ketchup bottle."
(Paul Lo Duca, via Washington Times, 5/8/2008)
It's not easy being Paul Lo Duca these days.
The veteran catcher, though, appeared to be in agony after fouling off an 0-1 pitch and immediately dropping his bat.
Tended to briefly by assistant trainer Mike McGowan, Lo Duca soon was helped back to the dugout, where the scene took a surprising turn. As he walked down the dugout steps, Lo Duca began jawing and pointing at some fans in the front row, at one point pausing to make another point.
Lo Duca finally was ushered into the clubhouse, while security personnel ushered three spectators out of the park to a chorus of boos from the crowd of 30,432.
(AP Photo/Dave Einsel)
"I just felt a really, really, really sharp pain. Probably the most pain I've ever felt."
(Paul Lo Duca, via Washington Times, 5/8/2008)
Astros 4, NAAAts 3: Pain is the name of the game. Fire Tim Tolman. Fire everybody.
(AP Photo/Dave Einsel)
"When I was starting, I was trying to do too much. I was trying to throw five wins in one game."
(Matt Chico, via Chatter, 5/7/2008)
There is a God: Mike O'Connor replaces MAAtt Chico in the rotation.
But where's Bergmann?? Bullpen makes no sense for Chico.
Next logical, almost too obvious move if you ask us (you didn't ask, but we'll pretend you did), is to put Chico on the bus to Columbus and bring back AAA Star Jason Bergmann (for long relief, until O'Connor doesn't work out). So why no announcement of a Bergmann move yet? In no other organization in baseball would Matt Chico have even gotten a sniff of the majors at this point. Give him the rest of the year to get his sh*t together (and by sh*t we mean his leg kick and his head, in no particular order). If they're really concerned about Chico getting his head on straight, is the bullpen the best place to do it?
Capitol Punishment shutting down?
Say it isn't so! Blog burnout? Or blame Matt Chico?
Our "sources" are telling us that the reason is because Needham is taking some time off before taking the keys over at Nationals Journal after Barry Svrluga leaves the Nats' beat for China & the Redskins. Ok, wishful thinking: we made all that up. We have no sources.
If it's true, Needham's voice will be sorely missed. Damn.
