2011, Week 3

thread for sim discussion

Game 13 - PHI 11, WAS 2 (9-4)
Not too much to write about for the Nats in this one. Perhaps the lone bright spot of the day was Mike Napoli's NL leading 6th home run of the season. Shawn Hill gave up 4 runs, 3 earned in 5 innings of work to take the loss and Juan Cruz let things get out of hand giving up 7 in 2 2/3 innings pitched. Shawn Green was 4-4 with a home run and 6 RBI's in an impressive showing for the Phillies.

Game 14 - WAS 11, PHI 3 (10-4)
PJ Phillips sent Gavin Floyd's first pitch of the game over the left field fence for a home run. Grady Sizemore and Brian McCann followed with homers of their own and two outs later Michael Durant would homer for the 4th home run of the inning. The Nats never looked back after the back-to-back-to-back blasts as Colten Willems held the Phillies to 3 runs, 2 earned over 8 innings to become 2-0. PJ Phillips would homer three time in this game and Sizemore would add another, bringing his season total to 6.

Game 15 - ATL 4, WAS 2 10 inn. (10-5)
Gabby Hernandez pitched well for the first time all year, allowing only 5 hits and 2 runs through 8 innings. Unfortunately this was only enough to earn him a no decision. Miguel Cabrera tied up the game with a 2 run home run in the 8th inning, his 5th of the year. Jonathan Broxton could not extend the game past the 10th inning as he was not very effective, walking two to load the bases and giving up the game-winning single to Jeff Francouer.

Game 16 - WAS 7, ATL 3 (11-5)
Grady Sizemore was 3-4 with a home run(7) and 3 RBI's and Bill Hall was also 3-4 to lead the Nationals' offense. Rich Harden was excellent as he moved to 4-0 on the season, pitching 7 innings, scattering 7 hits while allowing 2 runs and recording 12 strikeouts. Richie Wilhite recorded the last 2 outs for his 3rd save of the season.

Game 17 - WAS 7, NYM 3 (12-5)
Jacque Jones homered to open up the scoring for the Nationals and Mike Napoli's grand slam in the 3rd inning on a Barry Zito grand slam broke the game wide open. Jones ended up with 3 hits on the day and Bill Hall added his first home run of the season. Joe Nathan continued his brilliant start to the season. He allowed one run, in his 8th inning of work as his ERA actually goes up to 0.56 and his record goes to 4-0.

Game 18 - NYM 8, WAS 4 (12-6)
General Manager Steve Soja was outraged as he saw Steven Shell come out to the mound to toss his warmup pitches at the start of the 1st inning. "I thought I sent this bum down to the minors!", Soja said. An intern informed Soja that the transaction had not been processed by the league and Soja watched as Shell got lit up by the Nationals' fiercest rivals. Brian McCann hit a home run and Marcos Vechionacci went 3 for 4 in highlights for Washington. "Don't expect to see this idiot in a Nationals' uniform again!", Soja was heard saying as he left his private box.

Game 19 - NYM 4, WAS 2 (12-7)
Colton Willems gave a strong effort giving up 2 runs through 8 innings but a 2-2 game was lost in the 9th as Jonathan Broxton once again pitched ineffectively. Grady Sizemore was 2 for 3 with a pair of doubles and PJ Phillips and Marcos Vechionacci each added 2 hits.

The Mariners go 5-2 but suffer injuries to Starter Zach Grienke and John Rhienecker.

Pitching Highlights for the week are Grienke's 8IP, 2ER, 4h, 1bb, 9K on the 18th and John Rheinecker throwing two Gems 8.2IP, 3ER,4H, 0BB, 5K, Win on the 19th and 8IP, 0R,4H, 2BB, 4K win on the 24th before both go down with injuries.

Offensively Lopez had another big week batting .370/.667/.413 with 7R and 7RBI, Garciaparra had a big week as well .300/.833/.375 with 3-2B, 1-3B, 3HR, 7R, 7RBI, Jason Bay had a good week as well .285/.607/.375 3HR and 9RBI, Chris Snelling continues to tear up opposing pitching .458/.583/.519 with 3-2B.