SB Nation DC - Nationals Vs. Marlins: Missed Chances Cost Washington In 5-3 Losshttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48897/dc-fave.png2012-07-18T08:00:28-04:00http://dc.sbnation.com/rss/stream/29212502012-07-18T08:00:28-04:002012-07-18T08:00:28-04:00Nationals Send Ozzie Guillen Bat Autographed By Bryce Harper, And Everyone Has A Good Laugh
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<p>In the annals of great sports pranks, this one doesn't quite measure up to the great <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auburn_Tigers#Wreck_Tech_Pajama_Parade">Auburn-Georgia Tech greasy train tracks incident</a> back in ol' 1896. But given all the drama between <span>Bryce Harper</span> and Ozzie Guillen over the weekend, this is pretty good. </p>
<p>From the <a href="http://miami.marlins.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120717&content_id=35098672&notebook_id=35098684&vkey=notebook_mia&c_id=mia&partnerId=aw-6016354863062498979-996">Marlins website</a>: </p>
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<p><span>Adam LaRoche</span> had Harper sign a bat for him. Harper didn't know the purpose, but it's common for players to get autographs from each other.</p>
<p>From there, LaRoche added next to the signature, "To my hero, Ozzie, love you."</p>
<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.federalbaseball.com/">Nationals</a> players had the bat smeared with pine tar and sent it to Guillen.</p>
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<p>And how, you might ask, did ol' Ozzie take this? Let's head below the jump. </p>
<p>More from the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fishstripes.com/">Marlins</a> website: </p>
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<p>"It was funny," Guillen said. "I've got a few friends on their side. All those guys were making fun of me. I found out later they made the kid sign the bat. They put the rest. 'To my hero, Ozzie, love you.'"</p>
<p>[snip]</p>
<p>"To make this thing clear, I don't have anything against the kid," Guillen said. "I don't. Whatever happened, happened. Whatever I say, I say. Whatever my reaction was, it was. But I think this kid is going to be good for the game. No doubt. This kid is very good. We need players like that to come out and play the game right. That's good. I think what he did, maybe he did because he's a kid. I hope he learned from that.</p>
<p>"His manager said I was trying to intimidate him. I wasn't. That was the last thing on my mind. I hope he learned from that and moved on."</p>
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<p>And hopefully, we can move on, too. </p>
https://dc.sbnation.com/washington-nationals/2012/7/18/3166354/bryce-harper-ozzie-guillen-washington-nationals-miami-marlins-pine-tar-batSamuel Chamberlain2012-07-16T22:52:12-04:002012-07-16T22:52:12-04:00Nationals Vs. Marlins Recap: Washington Falls 5-3 To Split Series In Miami
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fishstripes.com/">Miami Marlins</a> managed to get a crucial series-splitting 5-3 win on Monday night against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.federalbaseball.com/">Washington Nationals</a>. With the Nats well ahead of the Fish in first place in the NL East, Miami has only two weeks to truly determine if they're contenders and thus buyers or sellers at the trade deadline. Some have speculated that they may start unloading assets if things go south this month, and this four-game set against Washington was huge coming out of the break.</p>
<p>The Nationals still managed to split the series, although I'm sure they will feel like they let one get away in the finale on Monday. Starter <span>Edwin Jackson</span> had one blow up inning, allowing a four runs in the bottom of the third that ended up being the difference. Miami pitcher <span>Carlos Zambrano</span> led off the inning with a single and that started the rally. Carlos Lee would knock in both Zambrano and <span>Jose Reyes</span> with a single back up the middle to center. <span>Hanley Ramirez</span> then added to the damage two batters later by hammering a two-run homer to centerfield for a 4-2 lead.</p>
<p>Jackson had an early two-run cushion after the Nats scored a run in the second and third innings. <span>Ryan Zimmerman</span> continues to round into form and the Washington third baseman ripped a homer just over the left field wall against Zambrano, making it 2-0 in the third. Zimmerman would score the third run of the night on a <span>Michael Morse</span> single which cut the Miami lead to one. He appears to finally have his bat working, putting in another solid night where he went three for three while also drawing a walk.</p>
<p>But the Nats would fail to come through with a rally to overcome Jackson's one bad inning. Washington out-hit the Marlins 11 to 7, but simply never broke through. They now return home for their first series of the second half on the Southwest waterfront. <span>Ross Detwiler</span> will take the mound on Tuesday for the first game against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.amazinavenue.com/">New York Mets</a>.</p>
<p><i>Stick with<a href="http://dc.sbnation.com/2012/7/13/3157209/nationals-vs-marlins-preview-jordan-zimmermann-starts-2nd-half"> this StoryStream </a>for scores, updates and more from the Nationals' series in Miami. For all things Nationals, check out <a href="http://www.federalbaseball.com/">Federal Baseball</a>. For the Miami perspective, head over to <a href="http://www.fishstripes.com/">Fish Stripes</a>.</i></p>
https://dc.sbnation.com/washington-nationals/2012/7/16/3163916/marlins-vs-nationals-score-recapBrendan Porath2012-07-16T16:23:49-04:002012-07-16T16:23:49-04:00Nationals Vs. Marlins: Ian Desmond Out Again On Monday
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.federalbaseball.com/">Washington Nationals</a> will be without shortstop <span>Ian Desmond</span> for the second straight game on Monday. Desmond is not in the lineup for the series finale against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fishstripes.com/">Miami Marlins</a>. Desmond aggravated his oblique in his final plate appearance in Saturday's game. </p>
<p><span>Danny Espinosa</span> will replace Desmond at shortstop. <span>Steve Lombardozzi</span> takes over at second base. </p>
<p>The rest of the Nationals lineup looks like this:</p>
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<p><a href="https://twitter.com/search/%2523Nats">#Nats</a> 7/16 Lineup: Lombo 2B, Harper RF, Zim 3B, LaRoche 1B, Morse LF, Espinosa SS, Bernadina CF, Flores C, Jackson RHP</p>
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) <a href="https://twitter.com/Nationals/status/224957420277997570" data-datetime="2012-07-16T20:03:23+00:00">July 16, 2012</a>
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<p>Desmond does not appear to be headed to the disabled list, but Dan Kolko of MASN <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/masnKolko/status/224956688485187585">says he could miss more time</a>.</p>
<p>A win on Monday night would give the Nationals a series win; a loss would tie it. </p>
<p><i>Stick with<a href="http://dc.sbnation.com/2012/7/13/3157209/nationals-vs-marlins-preview-jordan-zimmermann-starts-2nd-half"> this StoryStream </a>for scores, updates and more from the Nationals' series in Miami. For all things Nationals, check out <a href="http://www.federalbaseball.com">Federal Baseball</a>. For the Miami perspective, head over to <a href="http://www.fishstripes.com">Fish Stripes</a>.</i></p>
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https://dc.sbnation.com/washington-nationals/2012/7/16/3163145/nationals-vs-marlins-ian-desmond-out-again-on-mondayRyan Van Bibber2012-07-16T08:00:43-04:002012-07-16T08:00:43-04:00Nationals Vs. Marlins Preview: Washington Looks For Series Win Behind Edwin Jackson
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<p>The <a href="https://www.federalbaseball.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Washington Nationals</a> look for a decisive series victory on Monday night, sitting up 2-1 in the four game series after <a href="http://dc.sbnation.com/washington-nationals/2012/7/15/3161093/nationals-vs-marlins-stephen-strasburg/in/2921250">Sunday afternoon's victory</a>. <span>Edwin Jackson</span> will be throwing for Washington, facing <span>Carlos Zambrano</span> for the <a href="https://www.fishstripes.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Marlins</a>. Game 4 is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. ET.</p>
<p>Jackson has posted a 5-4 record and a 3.73 ERA this season, but is 1-4 with a 5.33 ERA against the Marlins. His only game against the Marlins in 2012 was a 3-1 defeat in late May in which he gave up two runs over 6.2 innings. The Nationals can ill afford another loss, as they sit in first place in the NL East only three games ahead of the <a href="https://www.talkingchop.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Atlanta Braves</a>. The Braves have now won seven in a row.</p>
<p>To keep the Braves at bay Washington will need production from <span>Danny Espinosa</span>, <span>Ryan Zimmerman</span> and <span>Adam LaRoche</span>. The three men are a combined 10-for-23 in the two wins from the series and together went 2-for-12 in the lone series loss.</p>
<p><i>Stick with<a href="http://dc.sbnation.com/2012/7/13/3157209/nationals-vs-marlins-preview-jordan-zimmermann-starts-2nd-half"> this StoryStream </a>for scores, updates and more from the Nationals' series in Miami. For all things Nationals, check out <a href="http://www.federalbaseball.com">Federal Baseball</a>. For the Miami perspective, head over to <a href="http://www.fishstripes.com">Fish Stripes</a>.</i></p>
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https://dc.sbnation.com/washington-nationals/2012/7/16/3161480/nationals-vs-marlins-preview-schedule-game-timePete Eich2012-07-15T18:36:37-04:002012-07-15T18:36:37-04:00Nationals Vs. Marlins: Ozzie Guillen Invokes Anachronistic Pine Tar Rule
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<p>So, as we're sure you know by now, there was a little brouhaha in Sunday afternoon's <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.federalbaseball.com/">Nationals</a>-<a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fishstripes.com/">Marlins</a> game. Marlins manager Ozzie Guillen popped out of the dugout, had some words with the home plate umpire, and then screamed some obscenities at <span>Bryce Harper</span>. </p>
<p>And what, you might ask, prompted that outburst? <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/nationals-journal/post/ozzie-guillen-calls-bryce-harper-unprofessional-after-pine-tar-spat/2012/07/15/gJQAFKT2mW_blog.html">Here's what Davey Johnson</a> said was responsible. </p>
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<p>Guillen charged Harper with using too much pine tar on his bat, spewed a torrent of profanity at Harper during his at-bat in the fourth inning and afterward called Harper's actions "unprofessional." Guillen did not specify what caused his ire, but said it had "something" to do with how Harper pointed his bat at him before his second at-bat.</p>
<p>[snip]</p>
<p>The incident began after Harper's first at-bat, a lineout to third base. Guillen complained to umpires that Harper had applied pine tar above the label of his bat, the limit for how high the sticky substance can be spread.</p>
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<p>As Ozzie himself might say, are you [bleeping] kidding us?</p>
<p>Look, we've all seen the video of George Brett going nuts after being called out by Tim McClelland for having too much pine tar on his bat back in 1983 (a ruling that was later reversed for not being in keeping with the rule's spirit, by the way). <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/gammons/story?id=1564438">Now, here's</a> Peter Gammons on how the rule originally came into existence. </p>
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<p>American League president Lee MacPhail learned that the rule was enacted in 1957 by parsimonious Senators owner Calvin Griffith because he felt too many players were using too much pine tar, ruining batting practice baseballs and costing him too much petty cash.</p>
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<p>Hey, look at that, a Senators connection! The point is, hasn't this rule long outlived its usefulness? Let's face it, if any owners are still complaining about pine tar ruining batting practice baseballs, they shouldn't be running a team in this day and age. And if you're paying more attention to an opponent's bat instead of your own team, <a href="http://espn.go.com/mlb/standings">which is languishing badly in the standings</a>, by the way, you shouldn't be managing one, either.</p>
https://dc.sbnation.com/washington-nationals/2012/7/15/3161312/nationals-marlins-ozzie-guillen-bryce-harper-pine-tar-bat-george-brettSamuel Chamberlain2012-07-15T16:08:59-04:002012-07-15T16:08:59-04:00Nationals Vs. Marlins: Stephen Strasburg Solid In 4-0 Win
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<p>In his first start in the second half of the season, <span>Stephen Strasburg</span> had no problems mowing down the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fishstripes.com/">Miami Marlins</a>, striking out seven batters in six shutout innings in a 4-0 win Sunday afternoon.</p>
<p>Marlins starter <span>Ricky Nolasco</span> was heading in a similar direction, setting down 12 of the first 13 batters, but then blew up in the fifth inning when Strasburg and Steve Lombardozi came through with a pair of RBI singles. The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.federalbaseball.com/">Nationals</a> would put the game away the next inning when a Michael Morse RBI single was followed by a <span>Danny Espinosa</span> sac fly.</p>
<p>Lombardozzi and Morse would be the offensive leaders today, as they each went 2-for-4 with an RBI each.</p>
<p><i>Stay with this <a target="_blank" href="http://dc.sbnation.com/2012/7/13/3157209/nationals-vs-marlins-preview-jordan-zimmermann-starts-2nd-half">StoryStream</a> throughout the weekend for more updates on the Nationals series in Miami. For more on the Nats as they start the second half of the season, visit <a target="_blank" href="http://www.federalbaseball.com/">Federal Baseball</a>. For more on the Marlins, visit <a target="_blank" href="http://www.fishstripes.com/">Fish Stripes</a>. And for all your baseball news coming out of the All-Star break, visit <a target="_blank" href="http://mlb.sbnation.com/">Baseball Nation</a>.</i></p>
https://dc.sbnation.com/washington-nationals/2012/7/15/3161093/nationals-vs-marlins-stephen-strasburgSteve Uhlmann2012-07-14T23:55:20-04:002012-07-14T23:55:20-04:00Nationals Vs. Marlins Preview: Stephen Strasburg On The Mound For Washington
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<p>Pitching his first game since the All-Star break, <span>Stephen Strasburg</span> will take the hill for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.federalbaseball.com/">Washington Nationals</a> on Sunday, opposite the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fishstripes.com/">Miami Marlins</a>' Rick Nolasco. Strasburg will look to help the Nats preserve their three-game lead atop the N.L. East standing, as the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.talkingchop.com/">Braves</a>, who are in second, have won six consecutive games in their own right and inch closer.</p>
<p>Thus far this season, the Nats' 6-foot-4 pitching phenom has been particularly impressive. In 17 starts, he's gone 9-4, posting a 2.82 ERA, a 1.10 WHIP and 128 strikeouts. </p>
<p>The teams have split the first two games of the four-game weekend set with the Nationals winning 5-1 on Friday night and the Marlins 2-1 on Saturday. First pitch for Sunday is scheduled for 1:10 p.m. PST.</p>
<p><i>Stay with this <a href="http://dc.sbnation.com/2012/7/13/3157209/nationals-vs-marlins-preview-jordan-zimmermann-starts-2nd-half" target="_blank">StoryStream</a> throughout the weekend for more updates on the Nationals series in Miami. For more on the Nats as they start the second half of the season, visit <a href="http://www.federalbaseball.com/" target="_blank">Federal Baseball</a>. For more on the Marlins, visit <a href="http://www.fishstripes.com/" target="_blank">Fish Stripes</a>. And for all your baseball news coming out of the All-Star break, visit <a href="http://mlb.sbnation.com/" target="_blank">Baseball Nation</a>.</i></p>
https://dc.sbnation.com/washington-nationals/2012/7/14/3160165/washington-nationals-miami-marlins-previewJoey Kaufman2012-07-14T21:43:29-04:002012-07-14T21:43:29-04:00Nationals Vs. Marlins: Washington's Bats Go Quiet, Miami Manages 2-1 Win
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<p><span>Mark Buehrle</span> outdueled Gio Gonzalez Saturday night as the Florida <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fishstripes.com/">Marlins</a> defeated the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.federalbaseball.com/">Washington Nationals</a>, 2-1 in the second game of their four-game series at Marlins Park. </p>
<p>Gonzalez, whose record dropped to 12-4 on the season, didn't pitch badly at all, allowing just two earned runs on five hits over six innings while striking out nine. But Buehrle (9-8) was just better, allowing a single earned run on six hits over seven innings, while striking out seven and walking two.</p>
<p>The Marlins took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the fourth when Carlos Lee drove in <span>Jose Reyes</span> with a single to right-center. Washington tied it in the top of the fifth as <span>Ian Desmond</span> reached on a bunt single, took second on a botched pickoff play (though television replays showed that Desmond had, in fact, run out of the baseline on the play), and scored on a bloop single by <span>Tyler Moore</span>.</p>
<p>But the tie was short-lived as <span>John Buck</span> drove in <span>Emilio Bonifacio</span> in the bottom of the fifth with an opposite-field single to right-center that concluded the scoring. </p>
<p>The series continues Sunday afternoon at 1:05 p.m. <span>Stephen Strasburg</span> will pitch for Washington, while <span>Ricky Nolasco</span> is scheduled to pitch for Florida. </p>
<p><i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">Stay with this <a style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #093369; font-weight: bold;" target="_blank" href="http://dc.sbnation.com/2012/7/13/3157209/nationals-vs-marlins-preview-jordan-zimmermann-starts-2nd-half">StoryStream</a> throughout the weekend for more updates on the Nationals series in Miami. For more on the Nats as they start the second half of the season, visit<a style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #093369; font-weight: bold;" target="_blank" href="http://www.federalbaseball.com/">Federal Baseball</a>. For more on the Marlins, visit <a style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #093369; font-weight: bold;" target="_blank" href="http://www.fishstripes.com/">Fish Stripes</a>. And for all your baseball news coming out of the All-Star break, visit <a style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #093369; font-weight: bold;" target="_blank" href="http://mlb.sbnation.com/">Baseball Nation</a>.</i></p>
https://dc.sbnation.com/washington-nationals/2012/7/14/3159968/nationals-vs-marlins-recap-gio-gonzalez-mark-buehrle-ian-desmondSamuel Chamberlain