The Washington Nationals came home to start their first ‘official’ home stand, and the results weren’t much better than on the road. The Nationals fell to the Florida Marlins 10-7 on 2 critical fielding errors that led to 6 of the Marlins runs.
SS Christian Guzman and OF Lastings Milledge created all the damage. Milledge drove in 3 runs, Guzman tripled twice and drove in three runs, but each also committed the two errors that led to a pile of Marlin runs. SP Tim Redding tried to defend his defense, but to little avail. Fact of the matter is, the Nationals, an upcoming, young baseball club, have little room for defensive miscues if they are going to win ball games.
And, then, there is Redding, who said sternly, “Back off the defense.” “If you want to talk about an error, talk about the 2-2 pitch to Amézaga with first base open and two outs,” Redding said. “That’s the biggest error of the game. That cost us the game. That’s on my shoulders.”
Eve more interestingly, Nationals Park, in only its third game, wasn’t even half full. Numerous
reasons could be cited … it was cold, a week night, the intense interest right now is with the Caps and Bullets, etc… but the fact is, those numbers are disappointing.
A week after the ballpark was packed for the sold-out opener, the crowds that filed in on Half Street were, well, about half that.
I’m very happy with tonight’s crowd,” Kasten said. “With the weather what it is, on a Monday night for Florida, second game of the year, cold weather against an NCAA championship game, I’m very pleased with the crowd.”
Yeah we bet you are Stan. We bet your jumping up and down high fiving Jim Bowden, while the Lerner’s look on with less than fake smiles.
Stars of the Game:
- Christian Guzman: 3-4, 2 3bS, 3 RBIs, 2 runs
- Lastings Milledge: 2-4, 2B, 3 RBIs
- Felipe Lopez (yeah, believe it or not): 2-3, 1 RBI, 1 run
Goofs of the Game:
- Christian Guzman – critical fielding error
- Lastings Milledge – critical fielding error
- Jon Rauch – 2 runs in 1 inning and your the current closer
The Nationals have now lost 5 straight since opening the season with 3 consecutive wins. Sounds eerily like the start of the Washington capitals season.
What happened below?
Columbus Clippers (AAA): Fell to Durham 11-5. It was Columbus’ 4th straight loss as they open the season a dismal 1-4. Kory Casto was 2 for 5 and is hitting .318. Alex Escobar was 1 for 3 with a home run. Johnny Estrada was 1 for 4 and has a hit in each of his three rehab games. he may be on track to be activated to Washington soon. SP Jason Stanford was hammered for 7 runs in 2.1 innings fo work.
Harrisburg (AA): Different fortunes in Harrisburg. Harrisburg defeated Erie 12-5 to improve their record to 3-1. Roger Bernadina continue to swing the hot bat, going 3-5, adding a 2B, run scored,a nd an RBI. He is hitting .389 on the year. OF Justin Maxwell was 2 for 3 with 2 runs. Ian Desmond was 2 for with a double, homer, 2 runs, and 3 RBis. He improved his average to .318. The star of the night and the season thus far is 3B Yurendell de Caster who hit his 3rd homer and third double, knocked in 5 runs and scored twice. Pitching wise, the Senators got excellent relief work from Lavale Speigner (remember him?) who pitched three scoreless innings in relief of starter Marcos Estrada. Speigner has not scattered 5 hits over 5 scoreless innings out of the pen.
Potomac (A): Did not play. Potomac has their season home opener tonight against Myrtle Beach. On the mound for the Potomac Nationals will be Shawn Hill as he begins his rehab and eventual return to Washington’s rotation.
Hagerstown (A): Did nto play. Face Lakewood tonight.
Minor Moves: P Eude Brito was promoted from Harrisburg to Columbus.
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