Nats Drop Another Despite Late Flurry; Karns Hurt?
A seven-run 9th fattened some meaningless spring training stats, but wasn’t enough to overcome the earlier mistakes as the Nats lost 16-10 to the Cards yesterday afternoon.
Jordan Zimmermann was lit up for eight runs on nine hits and two weeks, the bulk of the damage coming in a six-run 3rd inning. The proverbial “dead arm” was cited for his troubles.
More concerning, however, was the beating that Nathan Karns took two innings later. While just one of the seven runs he allowed were earned — thanks to an error by Anthony Rendon to the first batter he faced. In the space of eight batters Karns walked two, gave up a pair of singles, a double, and was lifted after a grand slam to journeyman Shane Robinson. He struck out one and got a flyball out.
As noted on Twitter, Karns’s command was noticeably amiss, with pitches sailing up in the zone. He fell behind nearly every batter, enabling them to sit on the get-it-over fastball, which was a bit slower than usual (low-90s/high-80s, when you consider that Zimmermann had similar readings on the MASN telecast and was reportedly hitting 92-94).
After the game, beat writers Nathan Fenno and Dan Kolko reported that Karns had been battling tightness in his right (push-off) leg and will be seeking further medical attention. Coincidentally (or ironically, if you believe in curses), Byron Kerr’s feature story yesterday was on the health of the 25-year-old Texan.
Back to the debacle in Viera… after falling behind 16-3, the Nats struck seven times on six hits in the final frame. Left fielder Micah Owings (1-3, R, RBI) and shortstop Zach Walters (1-3, R, 2RBI) both homered while first baseman Chris Marrero (1-3, R, 2K) had an RBI double and DH Matt Skole (1-1, R, BB) drove in two with a single.
A rundown of the notable minor-leaguers:
• RF Carlos Rivero 0-2, K
• CF Corey Brown 1-3, R
• C Jhonatan Solano 2-3, R
• 3B Anthony Rendon 0-2, R, HBP
• RHP Cole Kimball ⅓ IP, 0H, 0R, 0BB, 0K
• LHP Pat McCoy 2IP, 3H, R, ER, BB, K
The Nats stay on the Space Coast for another tilt today against the Marlins. There is no broadcast, home or away.
I’m sorry, Washington will not be any kind of a major league baseball city as long as so many of these games are not broadcast at all.
Pretty pathetic.
You got me – why did MASN think Big Least basketball (men’s or women’s) would get more ratings today? (Can’t seem to find what’s on 106.7FM, but not surprised that a radio website would be so poorly designed).
Isn’t the lack of Nats on TV related to the MASN dispute with Angelos? Really wish MLB would talk this seriously. Angelos has held DC fans hostage long enough, let my people go! Let Comcast or Fox Sports take over.
Replying to my own comment with another thought, sorry . . . this will come into play more and more with MLB revenue sharing especially for signing draft picks . . . DC is considered a large-market town but we’re getting a pittance from TV revenues and we get what. 13% from the current MASN deal w/Angelos?
Ultimately, money talks and once MLB realizes that money is being left on the table, the deal will get done. Part of the problem, IMO, is that Selig created this mess in the first place and needs to save face while assuring the other 28 owners that he won’t do the same thing (*cough, cough* San Jose) again.
It may end up as another conundrum Ted Lerner will have to resolve inside his enigmatic cone of silence. If something does move on this I expect he will be the front and center primary reason.
I am not at all surprised that the Marlins aren’t broadcasting their game. I’m sure they’d prefer to go into hiding for a little while.
Let’s just say that even if he wanted to Jeffrey Loria shouldn’t fly coach.
To throw a little more gasoline on the fire (and vent a little) re Nats broadcasting, CSN seems to have as much Redskin programming as Nats during the ‘Skins off-season. And MASN’s Nats programming, other that Bob and FP, = fans calling in for two hours to talk baseball. Painful to watch, if anyone’s watching. Wow, is that their idea of promotion?
From what I can tell from the last we heard about this topic, the idea is to create a new RSN altogether, though I’m not sure if there’s enough interest in the CAA sports to make that fly.