By Bill Ladson / MLB.com
WASHINGTON -- The Nationals were saddened to learn about the passing of legendary Phillies broadcaster Harry Kalas on Monday.
Kalas was found unconscious in the team's broadcast booth at Nationals Park around 12:30 p.m. ET, and he was taken to George Washington University Medical Center. The cause of the death is unknown.
After learning about Kalas' passing, the Nationals thought about canceling their home opener. Team president Stan Kasten had discussions with Phillies CEO David Montgomery, who told Kasten that Kalas wouldn't want the game canceled.
"We talked to the Phillies in what we thought was right," Kasten said. "The input of the Phillies was very influential to me, even though I was mindful that [over] 40,000 at Nationals Park were already in their seats. The Phillies were mindful of that.
"I can't predict what would have happened. If the players felt strongly about not playing in deference to Harry. That would have been a very important consideration for me, but that's not what happened. But we were very respectful of what the Phillies organization thought was best. "
The game was played with the Phillies edging the Nationals, 9-8. A few minutes before the game started, the Nationals honored Kalas with a moment of silence.
Nationals considered canceling game....
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Monday, April 13, 2009
Washington's club president focused on big picture
By Bill Ladson / MLB.com
WASHINGTON -- Nationals president Stan Kasten acknowledged he is disappointed that the team is off to a 0-6 start entering Monday's home opener, but he is still looking at the big picture. He said it is too early for anyone to panic.
Kasten already sees some positive points about the team, but also knows the Nationals will take their lumps with a young rotation, which has an average age of 24.
"In the first week, I think our offense is as good as we thought it would be," Kasten said. "Our bullpen is going to be as good or better than we thought when we started Spring Training. Our defense is going to be OK, I think. We knew we were going with young starting pitching. Young starting pitching has its ups and downs. ... We'll be fine. We'll come out of this."
Kasten disappointed with Nats' start....
WASHINGTON -- Nationals president Stan Kasten acknowledged he is disappointed that the team is off to a 0-6 start entering Monday's home opener, but he is still looking at the big picture. He said it is too early for anyone to panic.
Kasten already sees some positive points about the team, but also knows the Nationals will take their lumps with a young rotation, which has an average age of 24.
"In the first week, I think our offense is as good as we thought it would be," Kasten said. "Our bullpen is going to be as good or better than we thought when we started Spring Training. Our defense is going to be OK, I think. We knew we were going with young starting pitching. Young starting pitching has its ups and downs. ... We'll be fine. We'll come out of this."
Kasten disappointed with Nats' start....
Box Score 04-13-09
Philadelphia AB R H RBI BB SO LOB AVG
Rollins, SS 5 0 1 1 0 2 4 .121
Victorino, CF 3 2 1 2 0 0 1 .250
Utley, 2B 4 1 0 0 0 0 0 .400
Howard, 1B 5 1 2 3 0 2 0 .345
Werth, RF 5 1 2 0 0 1 2 .357
Ibanez, LF 5 2 2 1 0 0 3 .276
Feliz, 3B 3 1 1 0 2 0 1 .364
Coste, C 3 0 0 1 1 1 2 .143
Moyer, P 2 0 0 1 0 1 2 .000
Condrey, P 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
Eyre, P 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
a-Bruntlett, PH 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 .333
Madson, P 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
Lidge, P 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
Totals 36 9 10 9 3 7 15
a-Doubled for Eyre in the 8th.
BATTING
2B: Rollins (1, Cabrera, D), Bruntlett (2, Ledezma), Ibanez (3, Beimel).
HR: Victorino (1, 3rd inning off Cabrera, D, 0 on, 0 out), Howard (1, 7th inning off Rivera, S, 2 on, 0 out), Ibanez (3, 7th inning off Rivera, S, 0 on, 1 out).
TB: Rollins 2; Victorino 4; Howard 5; Werth 2; Ibanez 6; Feliz; Bruntlett 2.
RBI: Coste (2), Moyer (1), Victorino 2 (3), Rollins (2), Howard 3 (7), Ibanez (6).
2-out RBI: Rollins.
Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Rollins; Victorino; Feliz.
SF: Moyer; Victorino.
GIDP: Ibanez.
Team RISP: 2-for-10.
Team LOB: 7.
FIELDING
E: Rollins (1, throw).
Washington AB R H RBI BB SO LOB AVG
Milledge, CF 5 1 1 0 0 1 2 .167
Guzman, C, SS 5 2 5 2 0 0 0 .515
1-Gonzalez, A, PR 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 .333
Zimmerman, R, 3B 5 1 1 2 0 0 4 .212
Dunn, LF 4 1 2 2 1 1 0 .364
Dukes, RF 5 1 2 2 0 2 1 .381
Johnson, 1B 4 0 0 0 1 1 1 .273
Flores, C 4 0 0 0 0 1 4 .263
Hernandez, A, 2B 4 1 1 0 0 2 0 .250
Cabrera, D, P 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 .000
Tavarez, J, P 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
Hinckley, P 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
a-Willingham, PH 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
Rivera, S, P 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
Ledezma, P 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
b-Kearns, PH 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 .158
Beimel, P 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
Totals 39 8 12 8 2 9 13
a-Flied out for Hinckley in the 6th. b-Lined out for Ledezma in the 8th.
1-Ran for Guzman, C in the 9th.
BATTING
2B: Dukes (2, Moyer), Dunn (2, Moyer).
HR: Dukes (1, 5th inning off Moyer, 0 on, 1 out), Dunn (2, 7th inning off Condrey, 1 on, 1 out), Zimmerman, R (2, 9th inning off Lidge, 1 on, 0 out).
TB: Milledge; Guzman, C 5; Zimmerman, R 4; Dunn 6; Dukes 6; Hernandez, A.
RBI: Dukes 2 (5), Guzman, C 2 (4), Dunn 2 (8), Zimmerman, R 2 (7).
2-out RBI: Dukes; Guzman, C 2.
Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Flores 3; Milledge.
S: Cabrera, D.
Team RISP: 3-for-10.
Team LOB: 7.
BASERUNNING
SB: Milledge (1, 2nd base off Moyer/Coste), Guzman, C (1, 2nd base off Moyer/Coste).
FIELDING
E: Hernandez, A 2 (2, fielding, fielding), Dunn (1, fielding).
DP: (Guzman, C-Hernandez, A-Johnson).
Philadelphia IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA
Moyer (W, 1-1) 6.0 8 4 4 2 5 1 6.55
Condrey 0.2 2 2 2 0 0 1 4.50
Eyre (H, 1) 0.1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.00
Madson (H, 3) 1.0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0.00
Lidge (S, 3) 1.0 2 2 2 0 2 1 5.40
Washington IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA
Cabrera, D 5.0 6 4 1 2 2 1 4.91
Tavarez, J 0.2 0 0 0 1 2 0 3.38
Hinckley 0.1 0 0 0 0 1 0 3.86
Rivera, S (L, 0-1) 1.0 2 4 4 0 1 2 8.44
Ledezma 1.0 1 1 1 0 0 0 9.64
Beimel 1.0 1 0 0 0 1 0 2.45
HBP: Victorino (by Rivera, S), Utley (by Rivera, S).
Pitches-strikes: Moyer 102-64, Condrey 14-9, Eyre 3-3, Madson 13-11, Lidge 16-10, Cabrera, D 94-55, Tavarez, J 16-10, Hinckley 7-4, Rivera, S 22-14, Ledezma 14-10, Beimel 11-9.
Groundouts-flyouts: Moyer 3-10, Condrey 1-1, Eyre 1-0, Madson 0-1, Lidge 1-0, Cabrera, D 7-6, Tavarez, J 0-0, Hinckley 0-0, Rivera, S 1-1, Ledezma 2-1, Beimel 1-1.
Batters faced: Moyer 28, Condrey 4, Eyre 1, Madson 4, Lidge 5, Cabrera, D 24, Tavarez, J 3, Hinckley 1, Rivera, S 7, Ledezma 4, Beimel 4.
Inherited runners-scored: Hinckley 1-0.
Umpires: HP: Bill Miller. 1B: Derryl Cousins. 2B: Adrian Johnson. 3B: Jim Joyce.
Weather: 53 degrees, overcast.
Wind: 3 mph, L to R.
T: 2:58.
Att: 40,386.
April 13, 2009
Rollins, SS 5 0 1 1 0 2 4 .121
Victorino, CF 3 2 1 2 0 0 1 .250
Utley, 2B 4 1 0 0 0 0 0 .400
Howard, 1B 5 1 2 3 0 2 0 .345
Werth, RF 5 1 2 0 0 1 2 .357
Ibanez, LF 5 2 2 1 0 0 3 .276
Feliz, 3B 3 1 1 0 2 0 1 .364
Coste, C 3 0 0 1 1 1 2 .143
Moyer, P 2 0 0 1 0 1 2 .000
Condrey, P 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
Eyre, P 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
a-Bruntlett, PH 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 .333
Madson, P 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
Lidge, P 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
Totals 36 9 10 9 3 7 15
a-Doubled for Eyre in the 8th.
BATTING
2B: Rollins (1, Cabrera, D), Bruntlett (2, Ledezma), Ibanez (3, Beimel).
HR: Victorino (1, 3rd inning off Cabrera, D, 0 on, 0 out), Howard (1, 7th inning off Rivera, S, 2 on, 0 out), Ibanez (3, 7th inning off Rivera, S, 0 on, 1 out).
TB: Rollins 2; Victorino 4; Howard 5; Werth 2; Ibanez 6; Feliz; Bruntlett 2.
RBI: Coste (2), Moyer (1), Victorino 2 (3), Rollins (2), Howard 3 (7), Ibanez (6).
2-out RBI: Rollins.
Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Rollins; Victorino; Feliz.
SF: Moyer; Victorino.
GIDP: Ibanez.
Team RISP: 2-for-10.
Team LOB: 7.
FIELDING
E: Rollins (1, throw).
Washington AB R H RBI BB SO LOB AVG
Milledge, CF 5 1 1 0 0 1 2 .167
Guzman, C, SS 5 2 5 2 0 0 0 .515
1-Gonzalez, A, PR 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 .333
Zimmerman, R, 3B 5 1 1 2 0 0 4 .212
Dunn, LF 4 1 2 2 1 1 0 .364
Dukes, RF 5 1 2 2 0 2 1 .381
Johnson, 1B 4 0 0 0 1 1 1 .273
Flores, C 4 0 0 0 0 1 4 .263
Hernandez, A, 2B 4 1 1 0 0 2 0 .250
Cabrera, D, P 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 .000
Tavarez, J, P 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
Hinckley, P 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
a-Willingham, PH 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
Rivera, S, P 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
Ledezma, P 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
b-Kearns, PH 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 .158
Beimel, P 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
Totals 39 8 12 8 2 9 13
a-Flied out for Hinckley in the 6th. b-Lined out for Ledezma in the 8th.
1-Ran for Guzman, C in the 9th.
BATTING
2B: Dukes (2, Moyer), Dunn (2, Moyer).
HR: Dukes (1, 5th inning off Moyer, 0 on, 1 out), Dunn (2, 7th inning off Condrey, 1 on, 1 out), Zimmerman, R (2, 9th inning off Lidge, 1 on, 0 out).
TB: Milledge; Guzman, C 5; Zimmerman, R 4; Dunn 6; Dukes 6; Hernandez, A.
RBI: Dukes 2 (5), Guzman, C 2 (4), Dunn 2 (8), Zimmerman, R 2 (7).
2-out RBI: Dukes; Guzman, C 2.
Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Flores 3; Milledge.
S: Cabrera, D.
Team RISP: 3-for-10.
Team LOB: 7.
BASERUNNING
SB: Milledge (1, 2nd base off Moyer/Coste), Guzman, C (1, 2nd base off Moyer/Coste).
FIELDING
E: Hernandez, A 2 (2, fielding, fielding), Dunn (1, fielding).
DP: (Guzman, C-Hernandez, A-Johnson).
Philadelphia IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA
Moyer (W, 1-1) 6.0 8 4 4 2 5 1 6.55
Condrey 0.2 2 2 2 0 0 1 4.50
Eyre (H, 1) 0.1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.00
Madson (H, 3) 1.0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0.00
Lidge (S, 3) 1.0 2 2 2 0 2 1 5.40
Washington IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA
Cabrera, D 5.0 6 4 1 2 2 1 4.91
Tavarez, J 0.2 0 0 0 1 2 0 3.38
Hinckley 0.1 0 0 0 0 1 0 3.86
Rivera, S (L, 0-1) 1.0 2 4 4 0 1 2 8.44
Ledezma 1.0 1 1 1 0 0 0 9.64
Beimel 1.0 1 0 0 0 1 0 2.45
HBP: Victorino (by Rivera, S), Utley (by Rivera, S).
Pitches-strikes: Moyer 102-64, Condrey 14-9, Eyre 3-3, Madson 13-11, Lidge 16-10, Cabrera, D 94-55, Tavarez, J 16-10, Hinckley 7-4, Rivera, S 22-14, Ledezma 14-10, Beimel 11-9.
Groundouts-flyouts: Moyer 3-10, Condrey 1-1, Eyre 1-0, Madson 0-1, Lidge 1-0, Cabrera, D 7-6, Tavarez, J 0-0, Hinckley 0-0, Rivera, S 1-1, Ledezma 2-1, Beimel 1-1.
Batters faced: Moyer 28, Condrey 4, Eyre 1, Madson 4, Lidge 5, Cabrera, D 24, Tavarez, J 3, Hinckley 1, Rivera, S 7, Ledezma 4, Beimel 4.
Inherited runners-scored: Hinckley 1-0.
Umpires: HP: Bill Miller. 1B: Derryl Cousins. 2B: Adrian Johnson. 3B: Jim Joyce.
Weather: 53 degrees, overcast.
Wind: 3 mph, L to R.
T: 2:58.
Att: 40,386.
April 13, 2009
Dunn goes deep, but Philadelphia belts three homers
By Bill Ladson / MLB.com
WASHINGTON -- The Phillies used the long ball to defeat the Nationals, 9-8, in the 2009 home opener at Nationals Park on Monday afternoon. Washington is off to an 0-7 start in '09 and has lost 11 straight games dating back to last season.
The game was tied at 4 when Philadelphia put on a power display against right-hander Saul Rivera, who was in trouble from the start. He hit Shane Victorino and Chase Utley with pitches. Ryan Howard followed and hit a three-run homer to left-center field on an 0-1 pitch.
After Jayson Werth struck out, Raul Ibanez homered over the left-center-field wall to make it 8-4.
The Nationals made it a two-run game when Adam Dunn ripped an 0-1 pitch from Clay Condrey over the center-field wall. It was Dunn's second home run of the season.
Philadelphia tacked on one more run in the eighth as left-hander Wil Ledezma gave up a sacrifice fly to Victorino.
Nats fall to Phillies in '09 home opener....
WASHINGTON -- The Phillies used the long ball to defeat the Nationals, 9-8, in the 2009 home opener at Nationals Park on Monday afternoon. Washington is off to an 0-7 start in '09 and has lost 11 straight games dating back to last season.
The game was tied at 4 when Philadelphia put on a power display against right-hander Saul Rivera, who was in trouble from the start. He hit Shane Victorino and Chase Utley with pitches. Ryan Howard followed and hit a three-run homer to left-center field on an 0-1 pitch.
After Jayson Werth struck out, Raul Ibanez homered over the left-center-field wall to make it 8-4.
The Nationals made it a two-run game when Adam Dunn ripped an 0-1 pitch from Clay Condrey over the center-field wall. It was Dunn's second home run of the season.
Philadelphia tacked on one more run in the eighth as left-hander Wil Ledezma gave up a sacrifice fly to Victorino.
Nats fall to Phillies in '09 home opener....
Dukes drives in three runs in team's sixth straight defeat
By Bill Ladson / MLB.com
ATLANTA -- A few hours before watching his team lose to the Braves, 8-5, on Sunday afternoon, Nationals manager Manny Acta was asked to tell Washington fans why the 2009 Nats are better than last year's team, which lost 102 games and ended the season on a four-game losing streak.
Acta didn't have a problem answering the question. He feels the '09 team is much better and indicated that there isn't any time to panic after playing five games this season.
"First of all, we are not counting last year. That was a long time ago," Acta said. "If you are going to count the last four games we lost [in 2008], why not throw in the 102 that we lost last year. Last year is in the past."
The Nationals found themselves in a good game on Sunday, but they ended up losing their 10th straight game dating back to last year, and head into Monday's home opener at Nationals Park with an 0-6 mark.
The series finale at Turner Field followed a similar script for the Nationals: They weren't able to get clutch hits and they didn't receive quality pitching.
Nats stay in game, but lose to Braves....
Healthy Flores looks to help Nats
By Bill Ladson / MLB.com
After having a productive season in 2008, Jesus Flores became the Nationals' Opening Day catcher for the first time.
Flores missed most of Spring Training with a sore right elbow, but the injury appears to be a thing of the past. The 24-year-old is off to a good start with the bat, going 5-for-15 (.333) with an RBI, but he would prefer that the Nationals get their share of wins as opposed to him having personal success on a losing club.
"I feel like I have plenty of confidence in myself to have a good year, but we are having a bad time right now," Flores said. "I would like for us to put everything together and start winning ballgames. I'm very positive that we are going to win games."
Even though runners are 4-for-4 when trying to steal with Flores behind the plate, three of those bases were stolen by Marlins third baseman Emilio Bonifacio. Flores insist that nothing is wrong with the elbow and denied that he is gun shy when it comes to throwing out runners.
"I feel good, and I feel healthy," Flores said. "I don't have a hard time throwing the ball. I feel good. I'm waiting for the opportunities to throw out a lot of people."
Healthy Flores looks to help Nats....
After having a productive season in 2008, Jesus Flores became the Nationals' Opening Day catcher for the first time.
Flores missed most of Spring Training with a sore right elbow, but the injury appears to be a thing of the past. The 24-year-old is off to a good start with the bat, going 5-for-15 (.333) with an RBI, but he would prefer that the Nationals get their share of wins as opposed to him having personal success on a losing club.
"I feel like I have plenty of confidence in myself to have a good year, but we are having a bad time right now," Flores said. "I would like for us to put everything together and start winning ballgames. I'm very positive that we are going to win games."
Even though runners are 4-for-4 when trying to steal with Flores behind the plate, three of those bases were stolen by Marlins third baseman Emilio Bonifacio. Flores insist that nothing is wrong with the elbow and denied that he is gun shy when it comes to throwing out runners.
"I feel good, and I feel healthy," Flores said. "I don't have a hard time throwing the ball. I feel good. I'm waiting for the opportunities to throw out a lot of people."
Healthy Flores looks to help Nats....
Harris leaves with oblique strain; Belliard's back pain persists
By Bill Ladson / MLB.com
ATLANTA -- Nationals second baseman Willie Harris left Sunday's game against the Braves because of a left oblique strain. He is listed as day-to-day and will be reevaluated on Monday.
After fouling off a pitch in the second inning, Harris bent down in pain near the batter's box.
A couple of seconds later, Harris singled off right-hander Jair Jurrjens, but ran to first awkwardly. Manager Manny Acta and assistant athletic trainer Michael McGowan immediately came to Harris' aid.
Harris was taken out of the game in favor of Alberto Gonzalez.
Acta didn't rule out Harris going on the disabled list and activating second baseman Anderson Hernandez, who is currently doing a rehab stint with Triple-A Syracuse. Hernandez missed the first week of the season because of a left hamstring strain.
"After tomorrow, we will know better and then we'll make a decision," Acta said. "It's a concern. We might bring up Hernandez in a day or two. "
Another second baseman sidelined....
ATLANTA -- Nationals second baseman Willie Harris left Sunday's game against the Braves because of a left oblique strain. He is listed as day-to-day and will be reevaluated on Monday.
After fouling off a pitch in the second inning, Harris bent down in pain near the batter's box.
A couple of seconds later, Harris singled off right-hander Jair Jurrjens, but ran to first awkwardly. Manager Manny Acta and assistant athletic trainer Michael McGowan immediately came to Harris' aid.
Harris was taken out of the game in favor of Alberto Gonzalez.
Acta didn't rule out Harris going on the disabled list and activating second baseman Anderson Hernandez, who is currently doing a rehab stint with Triple-A Syracuse. Hernandez missed the first week of the season because of a left hamstring strain.
"After tomorrow, we will know better and then we'll make a decision," Acta said. "It's a concern. We might bring up Hernandez in a day or two. "
Another second baseman sidelined....
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