Beltway Baseball: An eventful run for Nats vs. A.L. East
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Wed, 20 Jun 2012|
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CSN Washington dot com. Their folks welcome the beltway baseball and by The Washington Times mark Zuckerman and chase -- here on. Nationals Park is the region is hit by a heat wave apparently right now on the nationals. Are also playing that Tampa Bay Rays and nice segue I. There's all there's a lot of things that have already gone on in this series that we talk about that's kind of which is the bigger story won't start with what happened in the rotation. And Tuesday night coming along at a pretty Rocky start roughed up while it had pretty much the perfect opportunity to take advantage the advantage of -- I shut down the raised. Put them in a position to win and they didn't end up winning the game. But the next day Davey Johnson confirmed that thought that was going to be the fifth starters. What do you make of this where -- goes from here and whether debt while there may -- finally have the confidence this year yet let's start. That -- I mean if you watched that game on Tuesday night it was obviously had to make this both because how dominant that might -- an -- when he retired eleven and twelve batters. And in the striking difference to me between him and long. Was at that latter has the stuff to put away hitters -- one got two strikes and almost everybody and he couldn't put weight -- it's. Walking batters you know -- accountable that -- get ahead in the count and attack him. And finish it off I think for that reason alone at coming through now the problem is that settled wrong. That standing around and it worked as a reliever with scene because it's so long to warm up. He's the guy who even with any team seems to get better -- -- on struggles in the first inning that's not ideal but the problem is. -- the minor league options can't -- out he's not injured. Implement you know I don't wanna eat at four million dollar salary especially if they think there is still a chance to come around. So they're gonna put him out there keep them on something of a starters schedule. Having workers the caddie and I hope that maybe they need an average that they can -- some work in that ultimately maybe it does get back in the rotation at some point. Payments and salary that makes them a little hard to trade but even if they were thinking it could mean with Stephen Strasburg potentially shut down. In the knee today need a guy like -- does them justice that the well that's part of the problem too even if somebody was offering something. Guys -- wrong I'm not sure this point they are because look at the performance out there they need starters for later in the season whether that's all whether it's on line. And that's the reason they haven't -- him. Because they think you. They are going to -- started with scenes over and that's just assuming that nobody else gets hurt. You know they've been very fortunate despite all the injuries it had not to have an effect their rotation. So that would -- you really need these guys so yeah I think the whole idea all along is you gotta keep this much depth in the organization as possible. It doesn't make -- ideal roster situation sometimes but in the big you have to think about the big picture not just not with them and it. Now what about the bullpen and that we're talking about starting -- reasonable -- -- them I think Rizzo yesterday acknowledged. You know when the music stops someone might not have it here yeah and it's already happened Brad -- the other day when they had designated for assignment and there's going to be more decisions have to be made there. Ryan Mathews is that -- Rodriguez on rehab assignment should be vaccine through story is getting closer to coming back probably be around the all star break. Somebody's got to lose their jobs when this happens. What do you do well they are there once but now with long. Out of -- rotation back in the hole and but I still look at him long term because he makes sense as a reliever. -- -- -- -- out there Michael Gonzales kind of a luxury is it there left -- now. How'd he do you -- a guy gets there and you hate to say it because. Matthews and -- him pitch so well but they have minor league options and so they can be sent to Tripoli without losing. And unfortunately sometimes those other factors that permanently here because again you wanna keep all these guys in the organization -- -- -- you don't want to risk losing somebody else together. Now earlier I mentioned that he that bodes well for hitting which is on the in the nationals could use some improvement on. Particularly with Ryan Zimmerman Michael -- some guys that have been out of the lineup at times this year but they're they're back there the middle of their order now -- -- you're right. And that's the thing is that they are healthy. And there and I mean never in his career to -- prolonged stretch like this -- -- 229. Coming into this series not hitting for power at all. He insists the shoulder is fine I think the issue might be is Davey Johnson describes it. They kind of compensating for the injury from back when it was there. And -- in the back of his mind maybe subconsciously. And letting it affect the way he swings and what you have to do in that -- -- forget about it. Relax take your normal swing distrust that everything's going to be fine. He did have it last night I think that -- help me bode well for him and ask for Morse. He did come through with that home run two run homer off David Price and hit to right center field that's that's where his real power stroke isn't that he said. This guy may -- along he actually hit the ball pretty hard the last. 34 days that they didn't have a lot to show for it I think that maybe the first real tangible evidence that he is coming around on. Signs of progress richer Morse defeats at the ball opposite field that's what we're -- last year doubts that that's definitely bodes well we can't. Talk about the series not going into the pine tar incident which is something that mark and Amanda we'll talk about just a moment. OK joined now by a man called lack of The Washington Times a lot going on right now with the nationals let's discuss. The incident. From Tuesday night's game -- -- oil Peralta and the pine tar on his glove. We actually saw this I saw that seven years ago and Anaheim when Jose Guillen tipped off Frank Robinson about Brendan Donnelly I think we have a similar situation here. Here's my question you in the mets' clubhouse today do you think they're glad this happened or do you think actually with. For this didn't happen. I'm planting -- -- You know I think it. It was an interesting clubhouse last night and you can do me you know it was hard to read. You know whether or not -- pitchers we're happy hour kind of upset in the do knowledge -- -- -- -- -- tack on and you know it's not only that they don't that they you know it was a person and that's -- it -- about that -- -- this guy he was a teammate but then you know you start to wonder if it's more about this fraternity of being pitchers. And not that they had just called out on there fraternity yeah it's been. Is unwritten rule in baseball that this stuff goes on probably a lot more than we realize and when is it appropriate to bringing attention the -- when is it not. Davey Johnson even mention all that today in the aftermath of it explain it doesn't even think it's that they can do a little bit of pine tar. But if you've got an excessive amount as he had been told for all -- Patten as it turned out he did it. He says look ultimately comes down to the rule book the rules of the rules. Residual effect. Does this thing go away or is there some lingering resentment between two teams. -- I think that he resentments between the managers. You know I think a lot of players just like. That happen. I'm sure you know maybe if there's any resentment -- -- each individual has their own reason -- I think my personal feeling is that the team team thing. And any you know if there isn't it because one team wants support him there again to another team whose managers. -- Calling them names and I. They're all telling me you know and you know I had that's my opinion where things the Taylor. Crazy situation we'll see how this -- plays out over time let's move on another subject more big picture here nationals in first place in -- for quite awhile now. The teams behind them have shuffled around all over the place than anyone of the four different times has that right there with them. So I think it's safe to assume at this point the nationals are going to be in the race for the majority season I think it is pretty surprising. If they didn't but here's my question now who -- most concerned about and the rest of the NL east and maybe not who we would have thought. Well I mean I think that obviously everyone figured their -- competition and he's Phillies. At this point it -- the Phillies -- it's -- -- absolutely I mean they just had two relievers had surgery yesterday. I think have a setback you know and you think you know those currently minor things but on top of all the major issues -- already had. They can't afford much more in my opinion so. -- at this point I think you have to assume that the Phillies are probably the least likely team to be in this thing at the end even get -- -- yet I agree that. They are practically -- -- once they're going to finish last but I think they have the least percentage chance of finishing first in the division this. I I like how do you agree with you we may be eating their words. You know informants. But you know it's just it's difficult in that position right now I mean the other three teams it's kind of -- them but my opinion. The Marlins made beating most dangerous team behind nationals just because. There very streaky but when they're hot they're hot and you know the national solidly or high in Miami seem like they could not lose yet so I you know I think it obviously -- -- the other two teams Atlanta and New York bring to the tables. You know qualities but for me the. Yet the other thing about the Marlins is for whatever reason they've owned the nationals over the years there's something about that team that just don't match up well with. There are comfortable facing them. Direct when they're on that lineup is as good as any team in baseball their pitching rotations the does that -- I will throw -- the New York Mets. In this discussion. A team that going and it's not but had no chance of being in this next at all. You still wanna believe that maybe they can't do it but if they can keep pitching this way if RA Dickey. Can continue to be the best picture based on who would have you know imagine that on opening day I think you have to. Take them seriously. I I don't disagree with you I think you know I think you're saying this last night if they -- into -- series having Johan Santana and RA Dickey pitching. Their you know heavy odds to win two of those three -- have to move on in this series that they don't -- you know maybe that's where they even now on the you know play to their level a little more. But you know the -- -- David Wright that they had two good pitchers in the game great and and whatever contribution they get from other people. Can tend to spelling and does that mean they're making me laugh now but that doesn't mean that they it doesn't mean that they could be. Yeah absolutely I mean. Ending his season you always think you have an idea how -- and turn out as we've seen so far it's not gonna turn out at all. How anybody expected it's going to be a wild. Second after the season. Thanks man for joining me chase will be accurate to me in this moment as a reader questions. Right Jason mark back here at Nationals Park got ready for some reader questions thanks again got some good ones this week. First -- from -- seeing that span. Wants to know about Mark DeRosa any word with Mark DeRosa or as Tyler Moore stolen his roster. Well Mark DeRosa is getting close to coming back yeah he's missed a long time with -- hopefully injury and then. Tragically also had to deal with his father passed away from cancer in the last week but he's back. He's been hitting the ball is getting closer rehab assignment yet Tyler Moore has played well. But Derosa is got to sign all along to be important and off the -- -- veteran who has held that role before and that's why I think they are gonna finally happened on the -- -- just batting practice we -- him before -- today on Wednesday that a few homers to left field that he was used to chase the ball for sure. Next question from naturally he wants to know I know it's early but you see the nets picking up Bruce's option is my time back in the Tyler -- it does because they like Tyler Moore and maybe he could be their first baseman next year but you also have Michael Morse. We've been playing left left to right field that's here. The thought all along has been maybe easier first baseman next year. -- grossed -- so many good things you know especially defensively and on those guys can match that. It's still too early honestly can make this decision it'll happen at some point once you get to the end and -- -- pieces. Fit together that like Adam LaRoche he would do a lot for them. If you can perform the waited for six weeks -- the kind of a no brainer but yeah after remember what. Effect does that have on who else that you go after. And where males and the course murder another piece to make the -- another and consider we got to see him come back who's injured but yet today they're certainly options there. None of them has proven right. Okay well the third one is from gene Indy who wants to know about your Rodriguez we're always talking -- Once and they worked an inning Henry Rodriguez straightened out so he doesn't implode next sentence and it's certainly hope so he's on rehab right now he pitched well at Syracuse last night. They're not getting rid of this guy again people there they want to. Take a chance and see if he can get this -- -- now because you just don't find arms like that growing on trees. They're gonna try to ease him back into less pressure situations. Hope that helps make this all possible. At some point if he can't keep up and you gotta make that decision but for now when I'm thankful. They are committed this guy that believes that put him in the right spots and mentally he can handle -- and be effective reliever -- And and that's the -- gains recently but. Things start to piece together as far as getting healthier and stuff like that so we'll see maybe this need to get out of it AL east this -- it sooner than later to get back on track. Well another good -- beltway baseball presented by The Washington Times. For mark and -- -- chase thanks for watching. CSN Washington dot com.
























