tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28676208.post7470629038604580687..comments2023-10-20T04:28:04.547-04:00Comments on Nats320 -- A Washington Nationals Blog: By The NumbersScreech's Best Friendhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01094199653375184305noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28676208.post-69183574306667015852008-07-12T13:16:00.000-04:002008-07-12T13:16:00.000-04:00Belliard leads the team in homers (9) with only 15...Belliard leads the team in homers (9) with only 155 at bats. He is second on the team in RBI's. He is Manny Jr!paulhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15683734720896529408noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28676208.post-54683282301717020382008-07-12T11:57:00.000-04:002008-07-12T11:57:00.000-04:00Meant to say, Acta showed no imagination in Thursd...Meant to say, Acta showed no imagination in Thursday night's game; and of course, I meant to type "golf" lessons for Pena, not "gold" lessons. These guys make gold already whether they can hit or care about the game...SenatorNathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10049860385485455410noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28676208.post-17496712689864440212008-07-12T11:55:00.000-04:002008-07-12T11:55:00.000-04:007-11 lucky indeed for No. 10 in a game in which Na...7-11 lucky indeed for No. 10 in a game in which Nats score 10 and he gets to #100.<BR/><BR/>Most impressive win of the season; what should not be lost is this past week of starting pitching, in which Snakes and Astros are getting 1 or less earned runs. If Ballister quickly grows, we could have an amazing 5 starter rotation for the second half. <BR/><BR/>Couple that with good defense: clearly Belliard and Boone when he gets back superior to Young at first; Orr decent until Z-Man returns; and Harris (despite error in 9th)generally better, along with Casto in left and center than "airmail" Bernandina (now replaced on roster by excellent fielder Langerhans). FLOP and Guz need to lay out more for balls, but they are otherwise proficient. Flores pretty good catcher overall. <BR/><BR/>Relievers: Ayala needs a prolonged rest - his overworked arm last year and first half this year is showing big time. But Manning and Shell showing some promise. Hanrahan could wind up being a jewel over time, with more experience and confidence. Colome has great arm, and other that Flop, is the most infuriating National. Rauch preferred as set-up guy, but adequate as closer.<BR/><BR/>Acta needs to go to small ball: Plan B. Yes, the home runs the past three nights overall have given Nats 6.5 runs per game, but no way we can live depending on them. He just showed NO imagination in 9th & 10th on Friday night. Pitchers should have been pinch-running; best bunter should have been up there for Dmitri, etc. Nothing to lose by playing creatively - keeps everyone on the bench engaged, too.<BR/><BR/>WM Pena needs gold instruction. Seriously! Should he get a series of excellent gold lessons from area pro, he could actually learn to hit the low outside pitch, without automatically taking his right hand off the bat. Nothing can hurt his swing at this point. Why can't Redding work with him - pitching exactily the way every pitcher is setting him up - and having him practice the 1-2-3 that way (low outside corner fast ball strike; low off the corner ball; low more off the corner ball). Of course, the best plan is th release him and bring up Alex Escobar!!<BR/><BR/>Trust in Large Ball. All Good.SenatorNathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10049860385485455410noreply@blogger.com