38 Comments
User's avatar
Travis McGavin's avatar

In hockey, there’s a Gordie Howe hat trick. We should keep track of Keibert hat tricks: an error, a missed challenge and getting out on the base path. Keibert missed it by one today.

John's avatar

Nice bounce-back day for Mead, who undoubtedly got called out this morning, and Mikolas, who has undoubtedly been questioned by fans and the staff to this point. Messaging from Butera & Co. seems to be working: nothing personal, but learn from it and let’s move forward

Mark P's avatar

Overall, one of the Nats best pitching performances this season! Nuñez got away with not sliding into home plate and scored because Giants catcher dropped the ball. House booted the ball a couple of times at 3rd. There are still things to clean up.

Geordie Keitt's avatar

As Charlie and Dave say, “Team speed puts pressure on the defense”. I credit NN’s speed for putting him in the way to score and forcing Bailey to take his eye off the incoming throw.

Mark P's avatar

NN got a positive result despite poorly executing fundamentals. Giants catcher Bailey is a gold glover. NN may not be so lucky next time!

Jimmy's avatar

Very impressive performance from Alvarez, really, really hope he stays up with the major league club

cipherlockinexile's avatar

After probably their most painful loss of a multitude of blown chances, what a nice turnaround game today to win in a shutout. Yes, there were still some bad mistakes, but in this game they didn't squander all their opportunities - and provided a needed counter positive outlook for the future.

Susan H aka pitchingfan's avatar

Sudden thought: the Nats didn't pinch-hit for the catcher today! Or anyone else, for that matter. Is that a first for this season?

Geordie Keitt's avatar

Amazing what happens when you aren’t giving up runs and having to scramble for offense!

JJB's avatar

Also likely that with a Sunday day game after a night game that Butera wanted a few guys to have a genuine day off today in the middle of this consecutive-days stretch.

Tim K's avatar

Alvarez justified his call-up from AAA with a monster performance

Nats Fan in Exile's avatar

Alvarez has done nothing but pitch well. Last year and in ST.

Tim K's avatar

And at Rochester

Bernie Gilbert's avatar

I never understood why Alvarez wasn't on the roster at the beginning of the season. Hope he stays.

NME's avatar

He stayed calm even after letting runners on in the 9th. I watched him before a particularly important pitch. Take in a big calming breath and then executed what he wanted.

Steven Davidson's avatar

And he just got sent back. Wouldn’t we be better off with him the Mikolas? Wonder who js coming up?

Tim K's avatar

Alvarez will back

Dave Nemec's avatar

He did his job, and they can't use him for 5 days anyway, so now they bring up a reliever. I figured this would happen.

nebco66's avatar

I don't understand Schultz being part of that move. I think Parker should have gone back to Rochester.

Frankenhoff John's avatar

They want lefty length with Waldichuk out.

Dave Nemec's avatar

And I think because of that, Parker is up for the duration, unless he really stinks it up or they find a better lefty.

Buster's avatar

Perfect wording, “behind the unlikely pitching trio”. Unique pitching plan if Alvarez was brought up to continue being a duo with Mikolas. But if it works!! Bullpen needed the rest with Braves coming to town.

Butera is either a genius using

data or the luckiest manager ever. He puts together lineups of low batting averages and they seem to often work.

In this year of evaluation, I would love to see Morales brought up to split time with Garcia at 1B & House at 3B. Vivas and Tena sharing 2B (Nunez to AAA).

Vic Selestay

nebco66's avatar

Re: Morales--brilliant.

nebco66's avatar

Sorry for being late to the dance. This may have been said somewhere else, and if so, I apologize. A couple of years ago I read a WaPo article on the Wizards. The author (whose name I don't remember) said professional athletes don't respond to stern lectures or fines. The one thing that gets their attention is the loss of playing time. Which brings me to this: I was glad to see Lile get the day off after yesterday's game. A little time to think about how he fit into the outcome. Again, if others have spoken to this, my apologies.

markopc's avatar

Vivas sat as well.

Daniel's avatar

And today Cornelio at triple A: 5 IP/9K. His ERA at 2.45

Also very good news from Crews, Morales and Riley Adams. All with an above 800 OPS, and Crews and Morales hitting for average too. Crews could be called up sooner than later if Joey Wiemer continues to struggle at the plate

Tim K's avatar

Solid play at Rochester today despite snow delay!

Dave Nemec's avatar

I’d like to see that happen. The pixie dust has worn off of Wiemer’s magical start, and he’s reverted to past form.

GLH aka NatsFan4Ever's avatar

Nice way to salvage the series and start the week off on a good note. Butera is clearly large and in charge. His starting lineups and in-game management have been high quality. This team is always capable of coming through. I believe they will more and more as the season progresses!

baseball-birthdays's avatar

meanwhile, in frigid Chicago, the Mets lost a ninth inning lead and then fell to the Cubs in the tenth... losing streak now at eleven games.

Josh's avatar

Alvarez getting optioned after the game is a tough pill to swallow. As were Ribalta and Schultz. Cornelio pitched today for Rochester, so I guess this is in order to call up Julian Fernandez? Or some guy from off of the 40-man?

Sure would be nice to just have the org's best 13 pitchers on the big league team. Maybe this is all really smart, but it sure is frustrating from a fan's perspective.

Steven's avatar

Fairly sure the Rochester shuffle is about fresh arms, not who came up big this weekend and still got sent down. 17 games in a row and starting pitchers not going at least 5 depletes an 8-man bullpen quickly.

Dave Nemec's avatar

Right. And Alvarez is done for the next 5 days. Use his roster spot for a fresh arm in the bullpen. I suppose it'll be either Fernandez or Perales.

Tim K's avatar

Rapid fire for sure

CBinDC's avatar

Finally they win at home stopping for one day the confounding trend of this team to play so badly and lose at home and look like world beaters away and at least the mistakes today did not cost them in the end.