JDub pinch-hits the Nats to another win as we wait on Harper news: Postgame

Posted on September 25, 2016 by Stephen G. "Ghost" Mears

The Nationals were behind 7-5 in the 8th inning. Dusty Baker called on Jayson Werth to pinch-hit against ex-teammate Felipe Rivero, and Werth delivered a booming two-run HR over the centerfield wall to tie the game at 7-7. PNC Park had plenty of cheers from the Nats fans who stayed in Pittsburgh an extra day after watching the Nationals clinch the NL East crown last night. Continue reading →

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Game #155 The Nationals have clinched the NL East. What’s text: Game Thread

Posted on September 25, 2016 by Andrew Lang

Today’s game will be played in the shadow of the tragic death of Jose Fernandez and two of his friends as the baseball family mourns this loss of life at an age much too young to leave us.

The Marlins have cancelled their game today, but the rest of the teams will play as scheduled with a moment of silence.

A.J. Cole will start for the Nationals today, and Tyler Glasnow will pitch for the Pirates. Continue reading →

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Thoughts and prayers to the family and friends of Jose Fernandez

Posted on September 25, 2016 by Stephen G. "Ghost" Mears

His last pitching appearance we got to witness his mastery in the 1-0 win over the Nationals.

Here is the story on the Talk Marlins site:

We mourn the passing of Jose Fernandez. Today’s game has been cancelled.

We sent out a short release on this, and we had just done that story about José Fernandez and Trea Turner.  Trea Turner’s high school coach Larry Greenstein just responded simply, “no words right now.” Indeed, it is shocking. Trea’s father, “Sad News.”

There was that day that Eduardo Perez described as “Jose Day” when he pitched and the crowds were 30% larger.

“Fernandez had found freedom on one boat, and now his life had ended on another,” Cuban-American sports writer Dan LeBatard said.

jose fernandez

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Pop open the champagne, the Washington Nationals are your 2016 NL East Champs!

Posted on September 24, 2016 by Stephen G. "Ghost" Mears

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“You got to have a skipper that can lead and he has done that since day 1 of Spring Training,” Jayson Werth said about his manager Dusty Baker. “He’s doing that here still today. I think he is the guy to get us to where we need to be.” Continue reading →

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Nats did their part tonight! Big 1st inning and Ross/Burnett/Lopez pitch great: Postgame

Posted on September 24, 2016 by Stephen G. "Ghost" Mears

The Nationals won tonight 6-1 and did their part! The Magic Number is down to 1. The Nationals also reach the 90 win mark! We now await the finish of the Phillies/Mets game, and if the Phillies win, the celebration will begin.

Tonight’s game began with a Trea Turner bunt single, and when the 1st inning was completed, 8 batters came to the plate and the Nats led 3-0. Tonight every position player except Ryan Zimmerman had a hit tonight, and the Nats scored all six runs tonight without the benefit of a home run. Continue reading →

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Game #154 A week to learn by: Game Thread

Posted on September 24, 2016 by Andrew Lang

It continues to be a week of learning who the 2016 Nationals are. Adversity comes in different ways, and the Nationals have only won one game since Murphy went down with an injury. We have heard all of the sports cliches when a team is losing like “no need to panic, there’s plenty of time left.”  Time is whittling down as there are only nine games remaining  in the regular season. “You’re never as bad as you look when you are losing” is how some of us are trying to rationalize the Nationals 1-5 record in the last six games.

The Nationals have a Magic Number of 2 in the N.L. East to clinch the division, and only needs to go 2-7 in the remaining nine games to hoist another division’s champion flag. But in the here and now, we want to see this team finish strong. Continue reading →

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That didn’t end like the script called for: Postgame

Posted on September 23, 2016 by Stephen G. "Ghost" Mears

The script called for a champagne celebration at best or at the very least a Nationals’ win reducing the Magic Number to 1. Instead the Nationals lost their 5th game in their last six, and the blame game ensued.

The automatic closer was not automatic tonight as Mark Melancon ended up with his first blown save as a Washington National. Blame weak contact, blame big contact, blame outfield positioning, blame the starter, blame the veteran reliever, blame the ump, blame the coaches, and if you are looking to blame your young centerfielder you can, but the blame game is no fun as this game was not lost on one play. Continue reading →

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Game #153 Gio must show he can: Game Thread

Posted on September 23, 2016 by Andrew Lang

Today’s game feels like an audition for Gio Gonzalez for the post-season—sort of. Mike Rizzo has already said Gonzalez will be on the post-season roster; however, he would not commit to whether that would be as a starter or in the bullpen for Gio Gonzalez. The theory on the Dodgers is that they do not hit left-handed pitchers well which would mean Gio Gonzalez would certainly start against the Dodgers. Not so fast, the Dodgers just pummeled lefty Matt Moore for six runs, and that was one inning of work. Left-handed rookie sensation Corey Seager ended Moore’s day in the 2nd inning after he singled off of Moore. Continue reading →

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Trea Turner almost had a cycle against Jose Fernandez….in High School

Posted on September 22, 2016 by Andrew Lang

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Dollars and Sense: Wilson Ramos and Bryce Harper

Posted on September 22, 2016 by Stephen G. "Ghost" Mears

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