Stammen, Hanrahan Play a Part in Victory – The Post
Call-up Craig Stammen made his MLB debut in Daniel Cabrera’s old rotation spot and left the field to a standing ovation, despite being down at the time.
His final line: 6 1/3 innings, four earned runs, four hits. He allowed five base runners all night,
including the final four of his evening. He left with a 4-3 deficit.
Okay, he is a six-inning pitcher. That’s okay though.
The offense got two runs on four consecutive singles — Cristian Guzmán, Nick Johnson, Ryan Zimmerman and Adam Dunn — in the the eighth to win the game. Wonderful, I still have a chance, however slight, in the annual D.C. vs. Pirates season series.
Joel Hanrahan closed the game successfully too – only two sliders!
Too bad I did not go to that game like I had planned at one point, could be the highlight of the homestand. Oh well, the Bart Richards Award was fun too, even if we got blocked in by the presidential motorcade.
Nats’ late burst bails out Stammen – The Wash. Times
Acta Says Fortunes Can Change, but He Will Not – The Post
Acta holds meeting, stresses positivity – The Wash. Times
This time, the closed door team meeting worked!
“I just wanted to make sure they knew that just a week ago we were a better team than what we are right now, and that the game is not going to be suspended today,” Acta said. “We have to play it, and everything can change today. It was more a group thing to pump up the guys that are down right now in our bullpen and stuff, just to let them know it’s a long season and they have plenty of time to get it going.”
Manny being Manny. Thomas Boswell did have a point in his chat yesterday that Acta may want to get himself thrown out of a game or two, just to put the attention on himself instead of the players.
The Battle of the Beltways begins tonight. I can’t make it this weekend, so cheer the Nats and boo the Baltimore extra hard in my place.
