Nats Fall Apart In 9th, Lose 8-7
Clippard turns 7-3 lead into 8-7 loss with four hits and two walks allowed in the 9th
Tyler Clippard came on in relief to get three outs in the late innings. Not bad, but the problem was the Nats needed four outs from Clippard, who surrendered five runs to the Astros in the bottom of the ninth for an 8-7 win.
The loss took away a spring win from Ross Detwiler, who had another subpar outing with three runs allowed (two earned) on four hits and two walks over three innings. He did not strike out a batter.
Wilson Ramos was the sole prospect to start the game and went 2-for-4 with a solo HR in the top of the 8th that had given the Nats a 7-3 lead. Derek Norris caught the final ⅔rds of an inning but did not come to bat.
Other notable prospects…
- Eury Perez flew out in his one at-bat and played the last 2⅔ innings on defense but had no official defensive chances
- Steve Lombardozzi grounded out in his lone plate appearance and played the eighth and ninth innings on defense without any chances
- Chris Marrero was 0-for-2 with two strikeouts and played error-free at first base, following Matt Stairs.
- Cole Kimball walked two in his two innings of work, allowed a hit, but struck out three to lower his spring ERA to 1.13 and earn a hold.
With the loss, the Nationals spring record stands at 10-8 with a road game tomorrow night just down the road near the House of the Mouse against the Atlanta Braves. The game starts at 6:05 p.m. and will be broadcast live on MASN and shown via tape delay on the MLB Network at 11 p.m.
The facepalm is perfect for today’s result. WTF were Riggleman & McCatty thinking / seeing / doing during that implosion?
@BinM, clearly (at least to me) they wanted to see how Clippard managed, handled the situation as it is still Spring Training. Recall, what was Clippard’s main weakness throughout last year? Getting flustered, frustrated … not having the emotional / mental
stamina to come in in situations with men on base. He was usually great if he started out the inning but bring him under pressure with men on? He too often folded into a Kewpie doll.
I think this game speaks volumes about where Clippard is with that.
The hope might have been that with enough of the younger relievers stepping up it might permit a mutually advantageous trade or two. From my perspective Clippard had to be on the list of guys they should consider using as a bargaining chip. Especially when Balester started to show that maybe he belongs on a major league relief staff. Now, with HRod, Ramirez, Carr, and Kimball plus Balester I thought this might happen … but with Carr already sent down. Ramirez with arm problems likely from winter ball and HRod with control issues … Clippard once again looks too valuable to part with …
I was hoping the Nats would have traded Clippard for something good last winter. His stats were deceivingly good then. Now, I’m afraid the best trade scenario has passed.