I prefer first place

May 14, 2012 by Jenn | Leave a comment
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NL East standings, after the third road trip

I’m feeling a little beaten up by that road trip, which is odd, given the Nationals played .500 ball. The team lost one series and won one series, going 1-2 and 2-1 against the Pirates and Reds, respectively. I’d hoped for better.

Wilson Ramos’ torn ACL is part of why I feel beaten up. I hate to see anyone suffer a serious injury, but given Wilson’s off-season ordeal, I have extra empathy knowing he faces surgery and rehabilitation, when he should be playing baseball.

And then there’s last night’s blown save by OMFGHROD, Henry Rodriguez. I know that Henry isn’t the only reason we lost the game, but it’s painful to watch things unravel over 28 excruciating pitches. Two walks and a grand slam by Joey Votto? Why don’t you just stick toothpicks in my eyes?

For the road trip, Henry had two saves and two blown saves. He accomplished Saturday’s 3-out save against the Reds with an impressive 10 pitches, but I still wanted to die the whole time. Please Davey, use Henry in the 7th inning. I’m not sure I can take much more.

Which makes today a perfect day to welcome the team home. Starting with two games each against the Padres and the Pirates, the Nationals have an opportunity to start rolling again before what will no-doubt be an exciting series against the Orioles (22-13). How the heck did they end up leading the AL East?

Let’s go Nats!

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Enough already

May 13, 2012 by Jenn | 2 Comments
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Good grief! How many injuries can a team endure? Michael Morse (right lat), Drew Storen (right elbow), and Chien-Ming Wang (left hamstring) have been out all year. Ryan Zimmerman (right shoulder), Rick Ankiel (left quadriceps), and Adam LaRoche (right oblique) are back on the field, but Brad Lidge (hernia), Mark DeRosa (left oblique), and Jayson Werth (left wrist) are not. Werth will be out for months.

And now Wilson Ramos? I almost don’t want to hear the extent of his knee injury.

The Nationals are fortunate to have a terrific backup catcher in Jesus Flores, but my heart breaks for Ramos. After the kidnapping ordeal last fall, the last thing I want for him is time away from his teammates.

Get well soon, Wilson. We miss you already.

Photo: Wilson Ramos suits up in the bullpen before a game against the Houston Astros on April 19.

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Bernadina circles pitchers like a shark

May 12, 2012 by Jenn | Leave a comment
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Roger Bernadina is in the zone and has hit home runs in each of the last two games. Last night in Cincinnati, he was 2 for 5 with 3 RBIs and a stolen base. Way to go, Shark!

Photo: Bernadina heads for second after hitting a double against the Reds on April 13.

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On the road again: Let’s go Nats!

May 8, 2012 by Jenn | Leave a comment
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NL East standings, after the second home stand

Whew! Did that homestand have enough drama for you? For me the highlight was Bryce Harper, who represented my team well with his play and his maturity. The lowlight was Jayson Werth’s broken wrist, just as Werth was hitting his stride and beginning to win over skeptics. Ugh!

By the end of the weekend, the good guys had won both series (2-1 over the Diamondbacks and 2-1 over the Phillies) and still led the National League East. I was at the ballpark for all of the wins and none of the losses, and I’m starting to wonder if I need to attend every game.

Today, the Nationals begin a six-game trip to play three games each at Pittsburg (12-16) and Cincinnati (15-13). I like our odds to win both series. Let’s go Nats!

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Get well soon, Jayson Werth

May 7, 2012 by Jenn | 2 Comments
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According to the Washington Post and others, Jayson Werth had surgery today on his broken left wrist. He’s likely to be out for months. Werth broke the wrist making a sliding catch in a game against the Phillies on Sunday, May 6.

This fangirl wishes Jayson a full and speedy recovery.

Photo: Jayson Werth takes the field on Saturday, May 5, sometime after hitting a 3-run bomb against his former team. 

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