WASHINGTON, D.C. — Okay, who made from of the Brian Bannister article in Tuesday’s USA Today? The one where he talks about using extensive stats to help him maximize his mediocre talent? Just as I feared, it was a reverse lock yesterday.
Yesterday evening, before almost 32,000 fans in Nationals Park, the Kansas City Royals starter and his bullpen held the Washington Nationals scoreless and handed Stephen Strasburg his first MLB defeat after giving up an RBI to ex-Nat, RF Jose Guillen. Of course it would be Guillen, the man-child whose incessant whining about being plunked by Pedro Martinez on July 5, 2005 helped bring down that season. So, in addition to knocking in the only run of the game, Guillen was credited with the assist on a close play at the plate. 1B Adam Dunn singled and RF Roger Bernadina rounded third and arrived at the plate just before C Jason Kendall’s tag from Guillen’s outstanding throw. The umpire called Bernadina out which I still disagree with given the clear view I had of the play from section 314, near home plate. My dad even booed the call. I suggested the ump was as competent as a World Cup official. I stand by that taunt.
Strasburg threw 75 strikes and only 20 balls yesterday. He was probably throwing it over the plate too much in fact. He got nine K’s but gave up just as many hits. He still has not walked a batter in Nationals Park. He even got his first hit as a major leaguer, but it did not help the Nats score. Nevertheless with my brother and my father taking in a belated Father’s Day outing, the day was a good one. Sitting in the shade, the oppressive heat that we were warned about was not too bad either. The only complaint was that the First Base Gate attendants made my brother poor out his water bottle. I may have more to say about that later.
The Nats wore their home whites which made a lot of sense on a hot day. The Royals wore blue and gray. We did not get to our seats until the second inning, but I saw the first inning from the lower concourse. George won the President’s Race. The USA’s World Cup game winning goal was shown to a load ovation. The member of the US Navy Sea Chanters who sang God Bless America was excellent. Metro ran pretty well for us too.
Other recaps
Stephen Strasburg sparkles again, but Nationals come up short vs. Royals – The Post
THOMAS BOSWELL – Even in defeat, Nationals’ Strasburg continues to amaze – The Post
Offensive blame aplenty – Nats Insider
No support – Nats Insider
