2011, week 1

here's where you post how your team did, remember, 6 million to the best writer!

Nats open up with a 4-2 week, despite having guys playing in different positions than they are used to...

Game 1 - WAS 5, PIT 2 (1-0)
Opening day saw Washington get off to a nice start on the road as they defeated Pittsburgh 5-2. Grady Sizemore, the 2nd batter of the game, got the Nats on the board as he homered to deep right-center on a Choyre Spoon 3-0 offering. Mike Napoli added a solo home run and Brian McCann hit a solo and two-run home runs to provide all the scoring. Rich Harden, the reigning NL ERA Champion, pitched eight innings giving up two earned runs to record the win.

Game 2 - WAS 6, PIT 2 (2-0)
Bill Hall got the Nats on the board first with a 2-run bases loaded double in the top of the fourth. Washington would score four more in the fifth to provide all the offense they would need for Joe Nathan. He yielded one run in eight innings, striking out ten, to earn the win.

Game 3 - PIT 4, WAS 3 (2-1)
The sweep appeared in order as Washington led this game through eight and a half innings of play. New free agent acquisition Jimmy Rollins singled in the first two runs of the game in the sixth innings. Miguel Cabrera tacked on his first home run of the season in the 9th as Shawn Hill took a shutout into the ninth. After recording the first out, Hill walked the next three Pirate hitters to load the bases. An Adam Boeve single brought it to 3-2 with runners on 1st and 3rd and one out. Michael Cuddyer tied the game with a perfectly executed squeeze bunt that he reached first safely on. Control problems continued for Hill as he threw a wild pitch before walking Adrian Beltre to load the bases for former National farmhand Ian Desmond. Hill got Desmond to strike out on three straight pitches to bring up Brad Corley. Corley grounded to third baseman Bill Hall, who had replaced Michael Durant (who should have not been playing 3rd) and the ball went off his glove to allow the winning run to score on a walk-off error. The Nationals plan to use defensive genius Marcos Vecchionacci at third for the rest of the year, don't fear Nats fans!

Game 4 - WAS 8, FLA 3 (3-1)
The Nationals fell behind 1-0 early but the bats came alive soon after to provide an easy 8-3 win. Mike Napoli and Miguel Cabrera each hit their 2nd home runs of the season. Jimmy Rollins and Grady Sizemore each had two hits and two RBIs. Colten Willems earned his first win pitching 7 1/3 innings and giving up two earned runs.

Game 5 - FLA 5, WAS 4 (3-2)
The Marlins struck for three runs in the 2nd and would never trail in this game. The Nats would cut it to one twice but could never totally close the gap. Grady Sizemore was thrown out at second trying to tag on a fly ball to left field for the last out of the game. Gabby Hernandez got the loss giving up three runs in just three innings of work. Miguel Cabrera hit his third home run of the season in the loss.

Game 6 - WAS 11, FLA 1 (4-2)
The most complete ballgame of the season to date for Washington. PJ Phillips and Mike Napoli collected three hits apiece. Each one also went yard, Napoli for the third time of the season. Rich Harden looked dominant throwing eight innings of shutout ball, giving up five hits while walking none and striking out 10.

The defending world champs start the new season after making some big changes

Gone are Paul Konerko, Chipper Jones and Jose Capellan but many new faces have joined the mariners via free agency, trades and even the amateur draft.

After the first week the mariners are 4-2 despite scoring four or more runs in all but one game, here are the recaps

Game 1- Mariners 4 Cutthroats 6
Matt Cain gets the loss after going only three innings and giving up 4 runs, none where earned as a result of two errors in the third inning. Highlights of the game include newcomers John Switzer and Roberto Novoa each pitching 2 scoreless inning of relief, Jose Lopez 3 for 4 2 RBI performance and both Chris Snelling and newcomer Larry Broadway 2 for 4 performances.
(0-1)

Game 2- Mariners 13, Cutthroats 2
Dan Haren pitches seven innings giving up two runs on four hits and two walks, while striking out four. The offense was led by yet another newcomer right fielder Magglio Ordonez who went 3 for 4 with two home runs and 5 batted in.
(1-1)

Game 3- Mariners 8, Cutthroats 3
World Series MVP Clay Hensley took the mound in this game a threw seven strong innings giving up three runs on three hits and three walks, while striking out eight. Jose Lopez continues his hot start to the season with a 4 for 5 performance at the plate and shortstop Yuniesky Betancourt drove in 3 runs.
(2-1)

Game 4- Mariners 5, Rangers 3
Zack Greinke starts the season with a super eight inning, six hit, one walk, eight strikeout, two run performance. First round draft pick Felipe Delbusto makes his first appearance of the year and earns the save despite giving up one run on two hits and a walk. Garciaparra and Bay both go 3 for 4 and account for most of the offense.
(3-1)

Game 5- Mariners 2, Rangers 4
After newcomer John Rheineker's shaky 4 inning 4 run performance Roberto Novoa, John Switzer and Joe Beimel pitch shutout ball to give the offense a chance to catch up but the ranger Vicente Padilla only allows two hits, both of which were solo home runs(by Jose Lopez and catcher Dioner Navarro), before turning the game over to the bullpen who shut down the Mariners for the final four outs.
(3-2)

Game 6- Mariners 13, Rangers 5
The Mariners bats came alive in the final game of the home stand. Lopez, Garciaparra, Ordonez, and Snelling all collect 2 hits while Rookie third baseman David Winfree starts to show some signs of life at the plate with a 3 for 5 two double performance and first baseman Larry Broadway has a perfect day at the plate going 3 for 3 with two walks and his first home run as a Mariner. Matt Cain earns the win despite a shaky four run 7 hit five and one third inning outing.
(4-2)

Clay Hensley might be my favorite non-Washington player now

uscsteve wrote:

Clay Hensley might be my favorite non-Washington player now

why is that??

cause he was an absolute stud in the World Series! Delivered a brilliant Game 7 performance.....you shoulda been there.