The Nats had not won a game yet this year when Yunesky Maya was pitching and the Cardinals were send a 6-1 pitcher to the mound with an ERA under 3.5. That alone told you that the 1st game of this series against the Cardinals was going to be the toughest to win. After the Nats fell behind 6-1, how many of us really thought that we would come back? (Crickets chirping in the background can be heard)
Then something strange happened. Someone else’s bullpen imploded and even stranger than that, the Nats started hitting. The Nats scored 8 runs total in their last 4 victories and scored 8 last night, 6 in the 7th inning alone. Riggleman has stuck with batting the pitcher 8th and since he made the switch, we haven’t lost. He has also stuck with Jayson Werth batting lead-off. I don’t think Werth is paying all that money to bat lead-off, but then again, give him credit for not being a baby about being the table-setter and not the RBI getter. And frankly, he hasn’t been getting all that many RBIs this year anyway, (although he had a big hit to make it 8-6 last night in the bottom of the 7th), so why not put our 2nd best player in our greatest position of need.
Riggleman said in his post-game conference that Ankiel would not play again today which means Bernadina, who played well in relief last night, should start at center field. I don’t know where he will bat, but my hunch is that the skipper will stick with Werth at the top of the order.
The Z man struggled a bit in his return last night, but he got in on the action during the 7th by connecting on a huge two-out double which drove in a run. Having him back should be huge for this team who is now playing very well. Beating the Phillies before our road-trip was probably the biggest series win of the year, but last night has to be at the top of the list of best individual wins for this team which has now won 4 in a row.
Double vision: It was nice to see the Redskins gather once again for a players-led “mini-camp” session. But I have to admit that Trent Williams absence is slightly troubling. The dude has not shown up to any of these three lock-out sessions and, if reports are correct, is apparently not reachable even by his teammates. People have to speak to this agent to speak to him.
OK Trent, check this out: I know you are good and when you played last year for us, we were a better team and your absence due to injury was felt. But at the same time, you were not a world-beater last year and didn’t make any Redskins fans forget about Jacoby or Lachey. So if you don’t want to come to these camps because your agent says that he doesn’t want you getting hurt, fine. But at least pick up the phone and call London Fletcher. Everybody respects that dude. And even though last year’s circus with Haynsie has nothing to do with you, people in this town are a little sensitive about lineman who decide to “work out on their own” as opposed to being with their teammates.
Now Laron Landry has not been here either this year. I guess the biggest difference in my eyes between Landry and Williams is that Landry was dominating last year in the new system before he got hurt. Could he use some time to build a little more comradery with his teammates and hang out with Kerrigan? Sure. But at least we know that he has this stuff down. Plus he sent out some insane pics of himself to the Sports Bog which at least reminds all Redskins fans that he is in shape and ready for the new year.
I would not expect Moss, nor Donovan, nor Rogers to be here, but Rocky was at practice yesterday and has been at all three. I thought the ‘Skins would not be resigning him this year and let Perry Riley take over for him, but now I am beginning to wonder whether this kind of dedication to the team and his teammates without having a contract signed is exactly the kind of thing we need more of. Maybe McIntosh should stay around for a couple of more years.
Nothing is sure these days, but at least with the Redskins practicing somewhere in the area, things are feeling a little more normal.
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