Nats Drum Astros, 5-3; Shifting Gears
The Nats rallied for three with two out in the 5th and held on for a 5-3 win over the Astros.
There were no watchlisters in the starting lineup and, as usual, no watchlist pitchers appeared in the game. Here’s how “our guys” did coming off the bench…
- Trey Lipscomb subbed for CJ Abrams at shortstop in the top of the 7th, where he had one assist, struck out in the bottom of the 7th, then shifted over to 2B in the 8th for the rest of the game.
- James Wood replaced Eddie Rosario in CF in the 7th and doubled in his lone plate appearance.
- Dylan Crews followed Lane Thomas in RF in the 7th and flew out in his only at-bat.
- Brady House took over 3B from Nick Senzel in the 7th and grounded out in the 8th.
- Drew Millas was the second backstop and caught the last three innings but did not bat.
The win was Washington’s fourth straight, improving the Nats to 11-8.
Today is the Spring Breakout—somehow not sponsored by ProActiv—with the Nats watchlisters playing their Mets counterparts in the afternoon (3:10pm) for what appears to be a seven-inning game. The major-leaguers will then play at 6:10pm, with Trevor Williams expected to start for Washington.
The Breakout game can be seen on MLB’s Digital Outlets (MLB.tv, MLB Audio). The night game will be broadcast on MASN and 106.7FM, enabling tech-savvy users to try to sync the video and audio feeds for the optimum experience.
Every year this decade has been just a little bit different than the one prior, but when the starting pitchers starting going five innings and none of our guys start, then it’s probably time to dial back. Plus, I think 19 games is about the right amount to get the muscle memory back (such as it is in my 50’s), sharpen the snark, shake off the rust, and make fun of the Woo’s (not John; love his movies).
Two weeks from today, the Red Wings will visit their I-90 rivals in Syracuse, with AAA now playing only about 12 fewer games than the majors. A week later, the Sens, Blue Rocks, and FredNats each open at home.
As good a spring as Mr. Wood is having, I’d put more money on Darren Baker making the Opening Day lineup than him, if only because Luis García Jr. seems to think his only job is to hit and not play defense or run the bases. I’m not sure of Jacob Young doing the same really qualifies as newsworthy, given that he closed out 2023 as the 4th OF. Like Justin Maxwell in the late ’00s, he’s just barely a rookie.
And let’s face it: if neither Bryce Harper nor Stephen Strasburg made the OD roster, methinks Mr. Rizzo is not suddenly going to change his ways with James Wood.
Rutledge to start the breakout game but according to DM will only go an inning or two. since he typically struggles to get settled in I don’t expect a good pitching line when all is said and done.
if that is every teams’ approach making this a seven inning game seems silly. then again, what did I expect
I had hoped that Rutledge would be given a real shot to make the rotation this spring, but that hasn’t been the case, even though Trevor Williams has continued to be BAD. Sigh. I guess there’s still a chance that they bump Williams in favor of Zach Davies.
I’m not completely convinced that Rutledge is an MLB starter either, but it seems like it would be a good time to find out.
It is good how much a number of “our guys” have gotten into MLB games this spring. It’s not only good experience for them, but it’s also a chance for the MLB coaching staff to see them in action, see how they conduct themselves. Their time will come (hopefully).
my comp for Rutledge (hopefully) is Tanner Roark who made his debut at 26. given the delayed start to his development some additional AAA time is fine with me. he still needs to improve his command
Rebuilds take time
Like driving in a 30 mph zone in a fast back muscle car
Nice audio from TJ White bat meeting ball contact
Found audio feed
Did I hear the call on Susana right : 100 mph off speed pitch ?
It’s weird because some teams treating it like a bullpen game while others are using 2 or 3 pitchers like it was a regular season DH.
How’s the Wake Forest pitching staff doing lately ?
Thoughts about the next amateur draft
Pitching pitching pitching
I’m DEFINITELY on board with pitching-pitching-pitching for the draft! Seems like not that long ago that we were complaining about them drafting pitchers all the time. There do seem to be several good college arms projected around when they’ll be picking.
Let’s count the ways of derailment
Thoracic nerve , TJ , “ just a loogie not a starter , Murphy’s Law , …
Can’t find spring breakout feed on game day .
All the best to Rico Beltran getting the extra out of the kids bound for City Isle .
Luckham and Shuman especially .
Watching the Spring Breakout game (from the UK, FWIW!) – my first chance to see most of “our guys”. Top of the first done. Crews had a solid single; Wood a bit of swing and miss, as did House. Both fooled by changes of speed and changes of eyeline. Morales flew out to right to end.
Rutledge K’d the first Met swinging in the bottom of the first. Wood lost a can of corn in right in the sun for a 2 base E9. Mets SS with a solid line drive to the gap that Wood just about managed to solve the sun to catch. Then a solid opposite way double for the first run against the Nats, and House caught a pop-up at 3rd for the 3rd.
Rutledge’s straight change and curve look playable. Also throwing 96mph free and easy, but a few command issues.
Mets announcers are really quite meh… 😉
Milas led off top of the 2nd – loverly lined shot but straight at the RF – 15 foot either side and it was a double.
Lipscomb showed a really good eye for a walk. Got a middle infielder’s body. stole second really nicely on the pitcher (not that the catcher made a good throw). Which got him to 3rd when Pinckney hit what would have been a double play ball but was just a groundout.
TJ White, from the left side – decent eye to stay away from 3 pitches that were more balls than borderline.. struggled to catch up to a fastball, but then ripped a pitch over the RF’s head for a double and a tied game.
Darren Baker makes me look athletic – and looks to have an opposite field, slash and run type of approach – bounced one up the middle and was beaten by a step and a half.
Cole Henry on for the top of the 2nd. Excited to see him. Slightly herky jerky at the top of his delivery before release. (I’m not a scout – but looks “not effortless”.) Throwing 96; good fastball but breaking ball command a little ropey – like he doesn’t have his touch back yet. Good slider / curve to k his second hitter. K’d the side so he grew into his pitches.
Automatic balls and strikes being called, and a challenge of a ball by Millas – called a ball, but reviewed to be a strike. Interesting. Didn’t obstruct the flow much at all, though – felt very like the review of a serve in tennis…..
Top of the 3rd… Crews bounced out to 2nd – got down the line pretty well. James Wood… 6’7, 234lbs at age 21. And looks thin! Also grounded out to 2nd. Shame – I wanted to see him run a bit, but he didn’t really need to or try to run that out. House… off the end of the bat to SS, end of inning.
Sykora in to pitch the 4rd – 66; 228lbs – big unit! Excited to see him…
Leg kick looks too big and needs to be refined; but throwing 96/7. Hard liner to centre that Crews ran down on the track for 1st out. Mostly throwing fastballs, but a Decent breaking ball challenged for a strike for a K looking (maybe a little curve? Not sure). Fly to right for the third out; Wood definitely better with the sun.
1-1 after three…
Single to right to lead off the 4th by Morales… Millas pulled a single through the right side between 1st and 2nd on a pitch that missed location; 1st and 2nd, no out.
Lipscomb – easy double play ball to short; pitcher looks to have a good curve. that hurts.
Pinckney worked a good walk, 1st and 3rd; 2 outs… White with a first pitch LOUD pulled liner 5ft foul – would have scored both runners. Then singled to right, scoring Morales; 2-1 to the Nats. Pinckney went to third as well which will have pleased coaches.
Baker – slapped to second and a groundout. EOI.
Was going to stop there, but Herz came on to pitch 4th – and yep, his issue is command.
Missed low; straight fastball; swings and miss on the change. ropey curve that he couldnt throw for strikes. Not helped by a PB from the new catcher (who?). Solid single let in a run, but balls were missing low or were up. My take? If he gets command, and maybe a 3rd pitch – Tyler Clippard upside.
5th – Vaquero totally overmatched in place of Crews – didn’t get within 3 fee of 3 pitches.
Green – best physical specimen on show. Busted down the line well on a grounder.
Susana came on and hit 103 (!)… but his fastball’s straight, and he doesn’t know where it’s going.
So when it’s middle middle, it gets hit. Posting now, I suspect he’s the pitcher of record (losing….)… currently 4-2 Mets…
Will JT Snow show up at Darren Bakers ML debut ?