Craig Stammen again was cruising through nearly five complete, then had trouble recording the third out in the bottom of the 5th inning. Tyler Clippard didn't look sharp during his brief stint on the mound, nor did Sean Burnett, each allowing two runs apiece. Pitching was the issue last night at Miller Park in Milwaukee, not Our Washington Nationals offense or their defense. D.C.'s Team scored more than enough runs to win. But even after sleeping off the latest 7-5 loss to The Brew Crew, the only thought that comes to mind is why was Michael Morse taken out of this game on a double switch in the bottom of the 6th?
To that point, the man that Our GM Mike Rizzo originally stated can "flat out hit" was having a career night at the plate. A three run blast to left in the top of the 2nd inning and a solo shot to dead center in the 4th, both off The Brewers' Chris Narveson. Morse had been Washington's offense. When any player is in the groove, you can't take him out of the game. Despite the fact the pitching spot in the batting order was scheduled to hit second in the top of the 7th, swapping Roger Bernadina for Michael weakened Washington's offense. There was still three full innings to be played, plenty of time to get back into this game. Yet Our Manager Jim Riggleman chose to take out his hot bat.
Understanding Our Washington Nationals were playing one man short after Luis Atilano was placed on the Disabled List, patience shown by leaving Michael Morse in the lineup would have been a virtue. Pinch hitting for the pitcher in the 7th would have sufficed. Morse has done nothing but sock the baseball around and out of every park he's played in during his limited stints in Washington's lineup. Michael deserved a few more hacks, not a seat on the bench as this game was lost.
Last night, Michael Morse's potent bat could have been a difference maker.
But he wasn't given the chance to be one.
Last Night's InGame Photos--Morry Gash (AP)
9 comments:
You're not the only one who has noticed this. Despite his great batting average, Riggleman will only use him against left-handers and prefers to use Nyjer Morgan and even Willie Harris than Morse. Why do I worry that Riggleman will get the Nats to get rid of Morse and then some OTHER team will use him as an everyday player? What does the man have to do?
Exactly what Ed and I said too.
We dont get it...what's a guy gotta do to stay in the game? Michael Morse deserves to play the entire game.
We just can't tell both of you how stunned we were to see Morse taken out of the game. Absolutely stunned!!
Great minds think alike. Well, one great mind (yours) and one muddled mind (mine). The reaction in your house sounds like the reaction in my house. Two HR, four RBI and out he comes? Seriously?
I gave up on the game and went in the other room and read. It was better for my health to do that.
One more thing. Know how you say in your commercials that the Mets must HATE Willie Harris? The same Willie Harris hitting .195 whom Riggleman ALWAYS replaces Morse with whenever a right-handed pitcher is put in?
Well, the Mets have to wait in line!
Eddie: That's funny. It really is.
It seems as if you're more and more concerned with Riggleman's decisions...pulling pitchers early, removing the hot hitter, overmanaging.
Are you surprised by the early Rizzo commitment to Rigs for next season?
I thought everyone would like to know that this is being typed on my iPad in the Nats Park gift shop thanks to the Nats' free Wi-Fi. you can't do this at Yankee Stadium where iPads aren't allowed!
Jim H: No, because Rizzo wants to show the club is stable in management while developing the core players on the field. It takes away from constant media speculation and allows the team to worry about the product on the field, not in the dugout. It's pretty smart on Rizzo's part to do this--especially while still negotiating Harper's and other top draft pick contracts.
You want to show that everyone is on the same page. That perception is very important right now.
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