Play Ball was echoed on a baseball diamond and the world finally shifted back into normalcy. In other words, "real" games started yesterday drawing focus away from the slower than normal NHL Trade Deadline. We can once again analyze actual events instead of simulated bullpens and "live BP". Today's season opener was a good one as the Nationals put their first Curly W in the books, something that took until game 12 last year...
Let's spotlight a few of the notable events from yesterdays game:
- Yes, Bryce Harper went 0 for 2 in his professional debut, striking out twice on a grand total of 7 pitches. Obviously we need to read a ton into this, labeling him as a bust...
- Not at all lost in the mix is the fact that Jesus Flores saw his first action since 2009, going 0 for 3 with 2 strikeouts. Stats aside, congrats go out to him on coming back from a serious injury.
- Without question the #1 star of the day goes to Michael "Don't Call Me Mike" Morse. Morse, yearning for an everyday job, went 3 for 5 with 2 HR and 4 RBI. A nice opening statement for the 1B/OF who saw some time at 3B today (and, according to Kilgore, made a nice backhanded play at said hot corner).
- Ian Desmond started with a bang as well, going 2 for 3 with a triple, double, and 2 runs scored.
- Roger Bernadina, feeling the fire of Rick Ankiel on his behind, hit 2 singles, stole a base, but got caught stealing.
- The Attorney General got a single up the middle in his only AB, and proceed to steal 2nd base. It looks like Bo Porter is really trying to make an impression on these young speedsters.
- Super Utility man, Jerry Hairston, had the Nats only error on the day, an errant throw.
- My favorite stat of the day is this: Nats pitchers threw the last 4 innings while only allowing 1 base runner. Bullpen probable Doug Slaton, combined with hopefuls Broderick, Coffey, and Carr pitched the final 4 innings of the 9-3 win, striking out 4 and only allowing 1 hit (none in the last 3 innings). Hats off to Steve McCatty for a job well done.
aggressive on the bases, in the field, and on the mound...I LOVE IT
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