by Andrew Lang
by Andrew Lang
by Andrew Lang
The Nationals lost 7-4 and in the 4th inning the Nats took a 4 run deficit and tied the game up, but the Nats bullpen couldn’t keep it close while the Nats offense did nothing after the 4th inning.
The Marlins scored 2 runs in the 3rd inning both on unearned runs from an error on the middle infielders as neither seemed to call for a popup and then Lobaton had a passed ball. Continue reading
Tonight begins the final three games of the regular season for both the Marlins and Nationals. This game does have some post-season implications. The Nationals control their own destiny in securing home field advantage for the NL Division Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers which makes this an important game for the Nationals. The Nationals Magic Number for home field advantage is 2 which would mean any combination of a Nationals win or a Dodgers loss reduces that Magic Number.
For the Marlins, tonight’s game is still in the shadows of the passing of Jose Fernandez which happened less than a week ago, and his funeral was just yesterday. Continue reading
For another game this week, Dusty Baker pieced together a line-up of regulars and September call-ups, and it turned into another Curly W! This was win number 93 on the season for the Nationals, and the Magic Number for the home field advantage for the NLDS is now at 2. The Nationals will face the Dodgers in the NLDS, and the Dodgers play the Padres tonight then they have three games this weekend to finish the season against the Giants. The Nationals have three games this weekend with the Marlins to finish the regular season.
Of the Nationals five RBIs, four of them were delivered by a combination of September call-ups which included Michael Taylor, Wilmer Difo, and Pedro Severino. Taylor had three hits in the game including a two-run single while Difo and Severino both delivered on solo home runs. Continue reading
This afternoon, the rain could cooperate to get this game in. It is Joe Ross against ex-Nat farmhand Robbie Ray. The Nationals faced Ray and his big heater in Arizona in early August, and it was Wilson Ramos who hit the big three-run home run with 2 outs in just another of his clutch hits in 2016.
Robbie Ray is a lefty which has given Dusty Baker the opportunity to sit Bryce Harper again and insert a line-up with all players who will start the game batting right-handed.
The Nationals will get a further look at Wilmer Difo as they had been with Brian Goodwin who stepped up again last night and raised his batting average to .308 with a .803 OPS. Difo enters the game with a .292 batting average. Continue reading
Who would have thought Shelby Miller would be credited with a complete game shutout in a rain shortened game?
Dusty Baker thought we would see the good Gio as he would pitching with some inspiration to honor his friend Jose Fernandez.
Dusty says he Expects the good Gio tonight like last few starts and not from what Gio did at times earlier in season
— Byron Kerr (@ByronKerr) September 28, 2016
Instead, Gio pitched with a heavy heart, and struggled in long counts all game going just 3 2/3 innings giving up 3 runs while throwing 100 pitches.
The Nationals did not do much on offense either leading to the shoutout.
Few outside of the clubhouses knew that Gio Gonzalez and José Fernandez were family friends as it was something Gio and José did not advertise as they played for division rivals. Their baseball tied to their Cuban roots and close proximity to each other in south Florida led to friendships between the Gonzalez and Fernandez families. When Gio’s phone rang just after 7 A.M. on Sunday morning to let him know about the passing of José Fernandez and two friends, the initial fear was Max ‘Gonzi’ Gonzalez, Gio’s brother, was on that boat with José Fernandez as he was so often. It was also reported that Marcel Ozuna was asked to go on the boat that fateful night. Contrary to some reports, José Fernandez and his friends enjoyed getting up early to do some late night fishing or as they called it, early morning fishing depending on your frame of reference.
Gonzi was one of José Fernandez’s closest friends and their mothers were close also as well as their abuela. This is a tragedy to so many that loved José Fernandez and his two friends in that close Cuban and Latino community. Tomorrow is the private service and Gio Gonzalez and his family will be attending.
It’s with a heavy heart that Gio, weather permitting, is set to pitch tonight. The pain will stay with him for a long time. Gio and José had so much in common right down to their occupations as baseball starting pitchers in the NL East. Gio had shared fatherhood stories the last time he saw José who was set to become a father for the first time early next year.
That becomes the back drop for tonight’s game against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Gio Gonzalez will be flying down to Miami for Jose Fernandez's funeral tomorrow, so if tonight's game is postponed, Nats will need to adjust
— Dan Kolko (@masnKolko) September 28, 2016
Washington Nationals and Arizona Diamondbacks
Stadium: Nationals Park, Washington, D.C.
1st Pitch: 7:05 pm EDT
TV: MASN2, Fox Sports Arizona , MLB.TV
Line-ups (subject to change without notice):
After the game, this was posted which also says that Gonzi could have been on the boat:
Trea Turner on Gio Gonzalez/Jose Fernandez: 'I heard his brother was close to going on that boat and was really good friends with him.'
— Chase Hughes (@chasedcsports) September 29, 2016
"Opening Day should be a National holiday"
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