That’s exactly right. Way out here in Eugene, Oregon, we exploded when Ribalta got that last out! And, btw, you go Blake Butera for going right back to Ribalta after Friday night.
But we need to give him some slack for booting that 9th inning DP grounder; the infield had to be in bad shape due that second rain delay where they had trouble getting the infield covered.
Don’t forget the recent play too where he was covering first and had a perfect throw pop out of his glove! Can’t remember which game or impact it had, if any, but just egregious…I’m really conflicted about him: such great tools on defense and bases, not to mention great attitude/enthusiasm, but I’ve lost trust in him late and lately…
For every misplay, he’s got multiple excellent plays. Yesterday, for example, when he dove to the side away from 1st, then scrambled to get out the runner at 1st. He’s even done that across the field from behind 2nd on his knees.
But, yes, he is usually so good, it’s all the more painful to witness a flub. But that’s because I love him and his spirit.
I take Buterta's comment with several grains of salt:)) First, after winning the series against one of the best teams in baseball, he had to say some nice thngs about them, and second--he didn't have to play on that crappy field himself:))
I remember many years ago Harper with us slipping on his way to tag at first after a delay and getting injured. That was on my mind when I saw that part of the field was not covered.
Maybe we are remembering the same play but there was one where he slipped on top of the first base bag legging out a hit (or trying to) on a soggy field/wet base. Looked for all the world like he had a wrecked knee but was “only” a sprain — maybe 2017 or 2016, as team was good and looked like it could really derail things…I remember it pretty well as was sitting behind the Nats’ dugout that night and had a great view of it (don’t ask me the names of my kids but stuff like this I tend to remember…)
If we're going to ding Nunez for a rare misplay that happened to occur at the worst possible time, it's only fair to recall that in this game he also had a rare single at the best possible time that finally broke the Nats hit with a RISP drought.
I read (or heard) somewhere that he may have been becoming too predictable in certain situations, and teams were figuring it out. If so, he made a great adjustment today.
That could very well be. Plus there's tape of him now that nobody had at the beginning of the season, so he's no longer an unknown entity. If today was any indication then he is countering their adjustments nicely.
You bet it was! Remember in Tombstone when Wyatt Earp/Kurt Rusell says to Ike Clanton, "Tell em I'm coming, and Hell's comin' with me!"? Sub Butera for Earp and the Braves for Clanton and the Cowboys gang, and you've got this weekend. Who wants to play the Nats now? Nobody, that's who.
The Nats have quietly become “road warriors” with a 17-11 record. Only Atlanta has won more games on the road than they have.
If that continues, and they can just get back to playing .500 ball at home, they could find themselves in the wild card hunt. There’s still a lot of baseball left before we get there, but this team is starting to make things interesting.
The bigger question might be whether the organization still mainly wants to build for the future, or if the team plays well enough to force them to start thinking that maybe the “future is now".
And the other thing of note is that they have already played 32 games against teams that are over .500 -- which is more than a lot of others have -- and they are 16-16 in those, which is also better than many of those others have managed.
Even with the frustrating rain delays, this was a game to savor as a Nats fan. And Mark, I think I speak for a lot of Nats' fans when I say thank you very much for your outstanding coverage of our team. Your writing is truly a gift.
Nats win! Nats win! Nats win!
Love giving the chop to Braves, especially in Atlanta
That was sensational!!! Curly W is in the books!!
Felt like a playoff win. Wow.
It was!!!
That’s exactly right. Way out here in Eugene, Oregon, we exploded when Ribalta got that last out! And, btw, you go Blake Butera for going right back to Ribalta after Friday night.
It took awhile, but it was worth it!
Happy 19-31 day, everyone! May 24, 2019. Thanks for the great write-ups this year, Mark. Enjoying our scrappy Nats!
I’m beginning to think Nassim has CJ disease on defense: when he just has to react, he’s great; when he has time to think, not so much…
Yep. And I was just saying he’s a great late inning defender. Second time this season he booted a “have to have it” play that was within him.
But we need to give him some slack for booting that 9th inning DP grounder; the infield had to be in bad shape due that second rain delay where they had trouble getting the infield covered.
Butera complimented the field in his press conference but you’re right - maybe he was affected. I usually trust him the most.
So do I!
Don’t forget the recent play too where he was covering first and had a perfect throw pop out of his glove! Can’t remember which game or impact it had, if any, but just egregious…I’m really conflicted about him: such great tools on defense and bases, not to mention great attitude/enthusiasm, but I’ve lost trust in him late and lately…
He is still the Nats best infielder.
For every misplay, he’s got multiple excellent plays. Yesterday, for example, when he dove to the side away from 1st, then scrambled to get out the runner at 1st. He’s even done that across the field from behind 2nd on his knees.
But, yes, he is usually so good, it’s all the more painful to witness a flub. But that’s because I love him and his spirit.
I take Buterta's comment with several grains of salt:)) First, after winning the series against one of the best teams in baseball, he had to say some nice thngs about them, and second--he didn't have to play on that crappy field himself:))
I remember many years ago Harper with us slipping on his way to tag at first after a delay and getting injured. That was on my mind when I saw that part of the field was not covered.
I remember that play.
Maybe we are remembering the same play but there was one where he slipped on top of the first base bag legging out a hit (or trying to) on a soggy field/wet base. Looked for all the world like he had a wrecked knee but was “only” a sprain — maybe 2017 or 2016, as team was good and looked like it could really derail things…I remember it pretty well as was sitting behind the Nats’ dugout that night and had a great view of it (don’t ask me the names of my kids but stuff like this I tend to remember…)
If we're going to ding Nunez for a rare misplay that happened to occur at the worst possible time, it's only fair to recall that in this game he also had a rare single at the best possible time that finally broke the Nats hit with a RISP drought.
Yep his RBI won the game!
Only the 2nd series loss of the season for the braves!
GO NATS!! ⚾️⚾️⚾️⚾️⚾️⚾️⚾️⚾️⚾️
Mark Z if you see this… could it be that Foster was tipping his pitches the previous two starts? He was back to what we expect today.
Maybe FG can get some ASG consideration as a backup if this keeps up.
I read (or heard) somewhere that he may have been becoming too predictable in certain situations, and teams were figuring it out. If so, he made a great adjustment today.
That could very well be. Plus there's tape of him now that nobody had at the beginning of the season, so he's no longer an unknown entity. If today was any indication then he is countering their adjustments nicely.
This was a statement win.
And that statement would be: THE NATS ARE FOR REAL!! AND THAT'S A FACT, JACK! I MEAN, MARKOPC!!
You bet it was! Remember in Tombstone when Wyatt Earp/Kurt Rusell says to Ike Clanton, "Tell em I'm coming, and Hell's comin' with me!"? Sub Butera for Earp and the Braves for Clanton and the Cowboys gang, and you've got this weekend. Who wants to play the Nats now? Nobody, that's who.
Good one:))
And is that Ribalta saying in the bottom of the 9th "I'm your huckleberry."
That is awesome! You nailed it! Well played, sir, well played.
The Nats have quietly become “road warriors” with a 17-11 record. Only Atlanta has won more games on the road than they have.
If that continues, and they can just get back to playing .500 ball at home, they could find themselves in the wild card hunt. There’s still a lot of baseball left before we get there, but this team is starting to make things interesting.
The bigger question might be whether the organization still mainly wants to build for the future, or if the team plays well enough to force them to start thinking that maybe the “future is now".
And the other thing of note is that they have already played 32 games against teams that are over .500 -- which is more than a lot of others have -- and they are 16-16 in those, which is also better than many of those others have managed.
Your last paragraph poses the essential question. I'd like to think the Nats would compete. Hope so in any event.
8-6 total score for THREE games???? Who saw that coming??
Cleveland is in trouble. We have some runs to make up.
Hahahaha
YESSSS!!! 🙌🏾💪🏾
Now I’m disappointed they couldn’t sweep the series.
This team may not have the biggest names, but they’re mentally tough.
Now it’s time to get above .500 and hopefully STAY there.
It’s ok - Nats probably should have won 1st game and Braves probably would normally win today….so…..2 from 3 is fair.
Agreed. But it’s a tough pill to swallow because they had the lead Friday night.
That 2-2 inside fastball Ribalta busted Acuna‘s bat on was something else…he was clearly expecting slider away.
Stellar effort, especially after our best defender boots a wet / skidding / scalded double play that should’ve ended the game.
Not to be forgotten - Griffin pitched a great game, without which this win probably wouldn't have happened.
Wow, what a great win, but it was nail-biter time in the 9th:))
Even with the frustrating rain delays, this was a game to savor as a Nats fan. And Mark, I think I speak for a lot of Nats' fans when I say thank you very much for your outstanding coverage of our team. Your writing is truly a gift.