Giolito Roughed Up in 11-5 Nats Loss
The Nats’ top prospect struck out the side again but was also taken deep for a solo home run, the fifth allowed by Washington pitchers in yesterday’s 11-5 loss to Detroit in Lakeland, FL.
Tyler Collins led off the 8th against Lucas Giolito with a big fly to dead center. Thomas Field followed with a double before Giolito recovered to send the next three batters down swinging. Thus, the 21-y.o. finished with a line of 1IP, 2H, R, ER, 0BB, 3K.
Starter Gio Gonzalez was also mauled by the Tigers, giving up four runs (two earned) on two hits (one homer) and four walks over two and 2/3rds innings. Likewise for Sammy Solis, who surrendered an Earl Weaver special in the 7th and put on four baserunners total in his lone inning of work.
Spencer Kieboom started at catcher and batted 9th. He went 0-for-1 with a walk and a run scored at the plate and 0-for-3 throwing out baserunners. Pedro Severino was his replacement and was 1-for-2.
Here’s a rundown of how the other watchlisters fared:
• Wilmer Difo subbed for Dan Murphy at 2B and went 0-for-2 with a K
• Brian Goodwin replaced Bryce Harper in RF and was 0-for-1
• Trea Turner was the third SS of the afternoon and had an RBI groundout in the 8th
Tonight the Nats host the Astros with Bronson Arroyo slated to start. The good news is that the game will televised. The bad news is that it’ll be MASN. The worse news is that you won’t be able to mute the audio and turn on the radio.
It actually seems somewhat impressive that Giolito could get rocked so hard by the first two hitters but keep his wits and blow away the next three. Considering that the Nats have a history of guys who get really rattled by such things (Gio, Stras, Storen), I like the sound of someone who actually responds in the best way possible. (By contrast, Gio apparently had a rather embarrassing meltdown after a few errors and bloops.)
Is Espinosa actually starting to leave the door open enough for Turner to have a chance to win the starting SS job in the spring? I could also now see a scenario where Trea could go north with the big club to start at 2B with Murphy covering 1B if Zim can’t go. We’ll see. It’s still early. If Trea isn’t starting, he’ll be in Syracuse as the Nats reset his service-time clock.
Maybe this is not the forum to discuss it, but i lost total faith in Zimmerman ever being completely healthy again. Maybe it’s the time the Nats trade him to an AL club where he can DH (they’ll probably have to retain half his salary to make it work). If this can happen, instead of using a combination of Moore, Murphy and Robinson to replace him, I’d try to pry away AJ Reed from the Astros.This guy is gonna be a beast and the Nats have nothing on the farm at 1B with his potential. Hey, it’s nice to dream!
What team is going to give the Nats more than a bag of baseballs for a guy who is still owed $62 million in guaranteed money who can’t stay healthy? Zim gets hurt running the bases, so there is little guarantee he’d even stay healthy as a DH.
Just noticed you also said they would half to eat half his salary–that will be the day. You’re talking about an ownership group unwilling to even eat P-bon’s relatively piddling $11 million for this year.
It’s not even St Patrick’s day !
We finally get a game on TV, but only after they send a lot of ‘our guys’ down.
Laughed at the MASN joke. F.P. is at least the 5th color guy covering the Nats on TV and by far the worst . Lots of drivel.
Esinosa could go 0 for March (he actually might do that), and Turner would not make opening day roster. The Nats will want to extend the service time clock. If Espinosa continues to be… Espinosa-like, Stephen Drew or even Brendan Ryan will play SS until June. Turner will not break camp with the team.
Agree. Some rotation .
Yep.
Agrred+1
Giving up a single run is considered getting roughed up?
In a single inning with another long hit immediately thereafter, yes. Nothing to worry about in the big picture.