Comments on: And That Happened: Monday’s scores and highlights

By: natstowngreg

natstowngreg — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 16:48:04 +0000

Just noticed something. When the game ended, the final MASN line score showed the Braves with an error — by Uggla. However, looking at the box score in today’s Washington Post (confirmed by the box score linked above). Uggla wasn’t given an error, even though clearly, he bobbled the ground ball. Chad Tracy was awarded a hit. Happy as I am for Chad, that’s a lame official scoring decision.

By: goawaydog

goawaydog — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 16:34:32 +0000

Bumgarner and Kershaw combine for 20 strike outs and Zero walks. Kershaw is now 0-3 against the Giants this year and the Giants have not scored more than 2 runs in any of the 3 games. Kershaws ERA is 1.40-ish against the G’s. He flat out made Posey look minor league at the plate. Then again Bumgarner 0-4′ed Kemp so all was evened out. Both pitchers were referred to by awesome nicknames in post game interrviews with Bochy referring to his pitcher as “Bum” and Dodgers catcher AJ Ellis referring to his pitcher as “Kersh”.

By: APBA Guy

APBA Guy — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 15:55:57 +0000

Gardenhire’s nickname fetish aside (I do like “The Duenslinger”) McCarthy could not find any command last night and left after 3.1 with 86 pitches thrown. Not good. Worse, each of his half innings seemed to take forever.

Such a difference between Cleveland and Minnesota in team comportment, by the way. Cleveland just looked and acted defeated. Minnesota at least plays. They may not have much pitching, but their lineup, at least the top of it, has come together. Last night the first 4 were 10/18. With Morneau at 5 and Plouffe at 6, they have potential there.

As I said over the weekend, the A’s have to win these games. They go to Tampa next, and they may not get a hit for 3 games against those guys, except by accident. After the following series against the moribund Indians, things get really ugly for the A’s in September.

By: APBA Guy

APBA Guy — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 15:47:17 +0000

Len, I think the only people thumbs downing your post are those living in KC or Seattle. However, I think you set your sights too modestly. Hanshin or Nippon Ham may be in his future, don’t you think? With an ERA approaching 10 and a mound demeanor that would embarrass the staff of the Petaluma Little Leaguers, THE FAT TOAD may not have much choice as to his next destination.

By: natslady

natslady — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 15:44:03 +0000

Although these guys who throw their bats twenty feet high in the air behind them when they draw a walk, what’s with that? (I think it was Bourn last night, I could be wrong.)

By: natslady

natslady — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 15:41:38 +0000

Have to agree. Davey’s sat him before and may well again. I would expect he got a hefty fine in the clubhouse.

By: vcupats

vcupats — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 15:32:23 +0000

I’ll skip over the obvious regarding the Nats. But the Braves? I’ve never seen a team get more hype for staying within shouting distance of the best team in baseball. “Hey the Braves are keeping pace!” Well they’re 6 games back now – they can keep that pace as long as they want.

By: deathmonkey41

deathmonkey41 — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 15:07:44 +0000

Also, I know the offense scored 6 runs and that should be enough, but they left the bases loaded twice in the first two innings? They could have blown the game wide open, but the freely-hacking Bombers went up swinging at everything even when the pitchers was doing his best to miss the strike zone. I might be imagining this- but it doesn’t seem like opposing pitchers are throwing many 2-0, 2-1, 3-0, or 3-1 fastballs. They know the Yankee hitters are gearing up to launch the meatballs and instead are throwing a lot of breaking pitches knowing they can get the batters out in front. When you have no fear that the hitter is going to take the pitch and you’re going to walk them, you can risk throwing off speed stuff in that situation. The Yankees need to do a better job of being patient in those counts and waiting for their pitch instead of guessing.

By: Brian Donohue

Brian Donohue — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 15:05:32 +0000

Very surprised to see no comment re. Harper’s latest outburst. I really don’t care how he uses his mouth; other players say far worse things than he has so far, the kid’s actually okay with me there. But intentionally busting and splintering a bat with two human beings right beside you is not merely bratty or immature, it’s dangerous. Had I been the HP ump I would have tossed him instantly, and MLB would do well to follow up with a fine/suspension. This is again about the safety of people, not a direct knock on the kid’s maturity or lack of it: players have to learn that professionals don’t endanger others intentionally in this game, case closed.

For those who missed it the vid’s here: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/21/bryce-harper-breaks-bat-nationals-braves_n_1816669.html?utm_hp_ref=sports

By: natstowngreg

natstowngreg — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 14:59:22 +0000

So you missed the second President’s Race? Bummer. I stayed up well past bedtime to watch the whole thing on my high-def idiot box. Extra caffeine is helping me win the battle over sleep depravation (thus far).

Dan Uggla proves the old adage that, if you have a poor defender on the field, the ball will find him. Though in fairness, the 2 hits before Uggla’s boot were of the “it looks like a line drive in the box score” variety. A grounder up the middle that barely made it to the outfield grass, and a classic Baltimore Chop that Larry Chipper kicked — literally.

As for the Nats, just another walkoff win for a team that has walked off, among other ways, on a wild pitch (twice) and a botched double play. Fortunately, they triumphed (OK, survived) before Edwin Jackson had to take the mound for the 14th inning. Strasburg vs. Maholm tonight (hopefully, without another rain delay).

By: wethog66

wethog66 — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 14:59:14 +0000

Why?

By: Ben

Ben — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 14:53:14 +0000

I can’t listen to Twins radio broadcasts because the diminutives are so effing annoying. If I hear “Morny” one more time I might snap.

By: vcupats

vcupats — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 14:40:02 +0000

No matter what happens the rest of the Nats/Braves series, I expect more positive chatter about the Braves’ chances than the Nats.

By: gnrfan8804

gnrfan8804 — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 14:16:49 +0000

gotta correct myself. seattle’s 23-13 mark since the break is. the BEST in the AL, not 2nd best.

By: rooney24

rooney24 — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 14:10:22 +0000

And, the departed Cuddy and Koobs

By: kiwicricket

kiwicricket — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 13:52:41 +0000

You have just described 20million Australians. Ron should be shipped off down under where he would fit in.

By: Jeremiah Graves

Jeremiah Graves — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 13:50:52 +0000

It’s actually the Duenslinger…I’m not sure where Gardenhire was coming from on this one.

By: number42is1

number42is1 — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 13:42:17 +0000

thought his name was robert paulson?

By: brewcrewfan54

brewcrewfan54 — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 13:29:41 +0000

After reading again I probably should have gotten the joke right away. I wont be losing any sleep over the fact that I didn’t though.

By: gerryb323

gerryb323 — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 13:15:28 +0000

Says “Jagsfan”…just sayin…

By: mplsjoe

mplsjoe — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 13:14:29 +0000

Want a Ron Gardenhire nickname? Just shorten your last name and add an “s” or “y” (or “ie”). Morny, Blackie, Spansie, Cappsie, or, hell, Gardy. I’m surprised Dunsing’s nick isn’t Dunsingey.

Anyway, you’d be Calcy. How does that grab ya?

By: deathmonkey41

deathmonkey41 — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 12:54:17 +0000

Has Clay Rapada ever come in and gotten out the lefty he was supposed to face? Because if he has, I don’t think I’ve ever seen it. I’d like to see his numbers with allowing inherited runs to score. A specialist who can’t do that one job is pretty worthless.

By: natslady

natslady — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 12:51:11 +0000

Knew it was a joke, but can’t miss a chance to dig at “Old School Prestigious” Colbert usin’ his agent to fix his ERA.

By: brewcrewfan54

brewcrewfan54 — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 12:44:34 +0000

Well I guess I missed that joke then.

By: Walk

Walk — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 12:41:18 +0000

His name is dan struggla.

By: uyf1950

uyf1950 — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 12:40:27 +0000

kiwicricket, if I had thought it a rash decision I never would have said it.

By: yankeesfanlen

yankeesfanlen — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 12:36:37 +0000

Much too mild criticism, gentlemen. THE FAT TOAD has turned into a complete disgrace to the Yankees uniform. I have come to expect him to come in and screw up games, but the beaning Youk like he’s Roger A-hole Clemmons vs. Pizzaman is too much for me to bear.
Send him down now til he gains the maturity of a 14 year old, which won’t ever happen, then ship him to KC, or better yet, Seattle because that’s farther away.

By: gnrfan8804

gnrfan8804 — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 12:29:06 +0000

Mariners….2nd best record in the AL since the break. 7 game win streak, plus now a 6 game win streak, along with 4 out of 6 from the Rays and Angels in between the two. i know its crazy, but im liking these guys to stay hot and make the wild card race interesting. Now, begin the jokes…..

By: kiwicricket

kiwicricket — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 12:27:44 +0000

He’s pitched 6 innings after returning from surgery, a free agent in 2014….slightly rash decision to jettison him off to another team don’t you think?

By: hungry joe

hungry joe — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 12:21:40 +0000

gardenhire’s a whiz at coming up with creative nicknames. just ask blackie and morny.