Thar It Blows!!

Dateline: Cancun, Mexico

Yeah, I know--I am little nuts. But, you gotta love the fact that as we sit in Our Cancun Hotel--Hurricane Dean barring down on top of us--calmly I am watching Our Washington Nationals play The Houston Astros on FSN--Houston. Really, what could be FINER!! Or Silly, when you really think about. Yet, that's where I find myself at this moment in time.

Dean will be my 27th Hurricane, 5th Category Five. Never is it fun. But, its what we do--TELEVISION NEWS. Preparation and Smarts combined with a little Luck, is what helps you survive. The Challenge always worth the effort. Mother Nature's Remarkable Forces devastating to witness. And The Human Spirit Comes Alive when Massive Danger is in The Wake. Its doesn't matter what your background and politics may be--Helping Out In A Hurricane--REALLY THE NOBLEST OF EFFORTS. Let me tell you, I speak from experience. Years of Experience.


But, before those Winds Come Ashore--How about that Force called Our Washington Nationals? Wily Mo Pena making "JIMBO" look like a genius after just three days. A Towering Home Run Shot in the Second off Jason Jennings tonight. A funny to watch--Dmitri Young stroke of a three run homer--ONE HANDED SWING--off Jason Jennings in the 3rd inning. A fooled swing that only THE CHEAP DIMENSIONS of Minute Main Park would allow. For years I have disliked this park. Too many gimmicks to make any ballgame interesting for the crowd. That right field fence that Our 2007 All Star poked one over--is just 7 Feet High. A Joke!! The Crawford Boxes in left field--far too short. Minute Maid Park really is: A Little League Park.

Remember in 2005 when Brandon Watson popped out to left field there? Only to see the ball land One Row into those Crawford Boxes. A cheap Career Home Run Number One for "00". A surprise hit that so many at the time believed, proved, Brandon was the NEXT GREAT LEAD OFF HITTER. Well, he didn't last long--did he? Even a Career Minor League Consecutive Games Hitting Streak in 2007, hasn't assisted his career, either. A journeyman, nothing more.


A Journey Our Washington Nationals went on in that 3rd Frame this evening. Our Number 21's three run homer--Then followed by My Main Man!! slamming a double down the right field line. An At-Bat that actually saw him pull up from committing on two Jennings Breaking Pitches. Then, getting a wheelhouse toss--that resulted in an RBI DOUBLE--Immediately followed by Wily Mo's first pitch looper to left. A Pulled Swing that if Jason Jennings had delivered just a bit more in over the plate--may well have hit that Train that runs across the top of the Left Field Wall in Houston.

Pena's looking to prove his worth. He's hungry--that's a good sign. Whether Our New Number 16 can keep it up, will determine his long term worth. Still, really would love to know who Washington has given up for him. Until that information is known, never could I be comfortable with this transaction.


How about that Tim Redding? He pitched a FABULOUS GAME. But, in the 4th--did he ever get out of one serious jam. Runners on 1st and 2nd with NO OUTS. Yet, he remained calm and not deterred. Striking out Luke Scott on a FULL COUNT Fastball--right at the knees. Great Pitch. Then, with Ty Wiggington at the plate--reached another Full Count--and threw ONE SERIOUS SLIDER. An off speed pitch that had Wiggington so tied up, he nearly fell out of the batters box, missing the pitch. Outside of a SLUGGER HAMMERING A DRIVE DEEP AND OUT OF A BALLPARK, nothing I find more enjoyable in a baseball game--then that one Asounding Pitch that completely fools a batter. A toss that has the hitter's knees buckling. Pitches which Tim Redding had tonight. Our Number 17 getting out of this potential game changing rally by getting Jason Lane to Pop to Young at First in Foul Territory to retire the Astros and quell the comeback. Really, a fine effort under pressure. And a well deserved third victory of the season for Tim. His ERA now down to 2.53.

Power which Our Washington Nationals showed tonight in Houston, while I sit a good 800 Miles to the south--awaiting the Hurricane Five Force of Dean. A convincing 7-0 Victory that gets this 10 Game Road Trip off to a good start. Curly "W" Number 56 was an unexpected laugher. Humor, which I will not be enjoying in very near future.

Little did I expect to be able to post while down here. Opportunity arose, so I took advantage of it. Now its time to batten down the hatches. Talk to you on the other side.

From The Cancun Bureau of The Nats320 Blog--Adios, Buenas Tardes. Buena Suerte & Vaya Con Dios.

Yeah, I am going to need all of that in the next few hours--GUARANTEED. Although, the Eye of the Storm is 200 miles to Our South. Never do you want to be on the backside whip of the storm. The most dangerous wind forces are there.

Tonight's InGame Photos--(AP) Dave Einsel