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"We live in a world where people love to boo instead of cheer. They'd rather say no than yes. They love to say, 'You suck,' instead of, 'It's okay."
(Manny Acta, via Washington Post, 6/17/2008)
METS GIVE WILLIE RANDOLPH THE AXE.
Unfortunately for the Wilpons, the guy they want as their manager is under contract with the Nats through 2009...
(AP Photo)
Tonight in Minnesota: John Lannan vs. the guy who should've been eating up innings for the Nats and enjoying the upgraded concessions at Nationals Park this year. (Ignore the 5.84 ERA, of course)
Meanwhile...
(AP Photo/M. Spencer Green)
"Wily has been struggling. And you know, definitely we had to take a shot there. We had three lefties sitting on the bench, and Kory was the best contact hitter we had there. He's not a strikeout guy."
(Manny Acta, via Washington Post, 6/15/2008)
Nats 6, Mariners 2: Wily no, Kory yes. Kory Casto pinch-hit 3-run HR seals sweep in Seattle.
Meanwhile...
Uggg. Lo Duca in left or at first? Guess he can do no worse than Wily Mo in left. At least we're all clear now that the return of Jim Bowden's $5 Million Mistake doesn't mean reduced playing time for Jesus. Still, we can't believe Chico (not Matt) wrote this line with a straight face:
"The Nationals no doubt hope that he performs well enough to gain value at the trading deadline, or even regain the form that prompted Washington to sign him to a one-year, $5 million contract last December."
Think about it. There's probably a better chance of Paul Lo Duca being voted in as starting catcher for the NL All Star Team this year than Paul Lo Duca increasing his trade value enough to make him a desirable commodity at the trading deadline. Sorry, it's just not happening. There isn't a beer league softball team in the universe that would trade for ol' Paulie. Face it, they're stuck with him.
(AP Photo/John Froschauer)
"Obviously, I want to be here and I feel like I should be here, but that stuff is out of my hands. I'm not going to worry about it. I want to pitch well every time out, whether it's here or [playing] softball or wherever."
(Tyler Clippard, via Washington Times, 6/15/2008)
Nats 5, Mariners 2: Hell freezes over: Nats win back-to-back games.
Clippard! Much, much better the second time around; Jesus Flores comes up big, yet again, leaving no doubt who deserves to play every day when Lo Duca returns.
Unfortunately for Clippard, he'll be sent back to AAA (move will be official on Tuesday), the odd man out as Paul Lo Duca returns on the scene like ants at a picnic. But with news that the Nats messed up the timing of Odalis Perez's move to the DL with Clippard's two callups (now Perez can't come back until June 26), will Clippard be back to start in 5 days? Who'll be the odd man out then (*cough* Wil Nieves *cough*)? Or do the Nats just wait for someone else to get injured?
Meanwhile, Manny's making it sort-of clear who's going to start behind the plate with the return of Jimbo's $5 Million Mistake (via Nationals dot com):
"It's still about four months to go and a lot of at-bats left, but the way [Flores] is playing right now, there is no way we are going to be able to not play the kid and not be able to feel like he's part of out lineup right now. He is doing it offensively and defensively. As far as Paul is concerned, he is gong to get his playing time, too. We are going to get him at-bats. Flores is not going to catch every single time. He doesn't do it now."
(AP Photo/Kevin P. Casey)
"That was the first knuckleballer we faced, and we didn't know how the guys were going to handle it. But they made Dickey get the ball up, and we were able to get some good swings on it."
(Manny Acta, via Washington Post, 6/14/2008)
Nats 7, Mariners 6: Big lead nearly gets blown, but Nats survive worst team in baseball, shaky Shawn Hill.
Meanwhile...
Just a little longer before Lo Duca arrives to muck up the catching situation.
As expected: Perez to DL; Clippard starts tonight.
(AP Photo/Jim Bryant)
"(Elijah) held this meeting on his own. It was his idea,"
('Baseball source', via Nationals dot com, 6/13/2008)
All smiles in the dugout in Seattle last night...
Dukes calls team meeting; apologizes to Manny and his teammates for 'The Incident'.
(Photo of Acta and Dukes on TV sharing a laugh in the dugout last night by Nationals Enquirer staff)
Tonight, out on the West Coast, a little sliver of meaning for an otherwise meaningless game between the two worst teams in baseball: Win one for Tim Russert.
Here's the official statement from the Nationals:
"We are deeply saddened by the passing of renowned journalist Tim Russert. Tim was a dedicated friend and fan of the Washington Nationals. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Russert family during this time of great loss."
...and true to form, a sincere (must-read) tribute from SBF at Nats320.
Rest in peace, Tim.
(Photo by Jamie Squire / Getty Images)
"I think it's pretty obvious what's going on. I think even Paul has talked to you guys. We'll answer that question that day."
(Manny Acta, via Washington Times, 6/13/2008)
Catching, catching, catching. Please tell me it won't be a Paul Lo Duca/Jesus Flores platoon. Paul will be the backup, right?
Jimbo's $5 Million Mistake "close" to being activated: Thankfully, he'll be able to DH for the next six games against Seattle and Minnesota; but I can't believe his return could mean diminished playing time for Jesus Flores. Doesn't seem right. Then there's the little problem of Wil Nieves. And what happens when Johnny Estrada returns?
(Photo of TV set by Nationals Enqurier Staff)
