What a day for a ballgame (by now you know every day is!). The weather is turning and the sun is warm but not as hot as just a couple of games previously. We left early to attend the game and arrived in time to take pics of some warm-ups. Usually the best way to click some close-ups.
In RF Saul Rivera was tossing the ball with Jorge Sosa and John Lannan. Here is Rivera...
Sosa...
and Lannan. None of the three played today.
While I play with the camera, SNS reads in her seat during "pregame."
Time for starting pitcher warm-ups and today's pitcher is J.D. Martin. Martin was born in 1983, a month before MJS and was originally a Cleveland draft pick (35th overall) in 2001. He was signed by the Nats in December 2008 to a minor league contract. He was brought up this Summer and seems to be pitching better and better with each game; control over speed.
Martin's battery mate today is Wil Nieves.
Martin's glove waits for the stretching to end.
Martin
First game pitch by Martin.
Josh Willingham's play in LF seems to be getting steadier with each game. The only drawback is his speed in getting to balls but no one will ever challenge his heart.
Cristian Guzman has been steady as well in the field but is being criticized for his failing lateral movement. I truly believe some of the criticism comes from his having to play next to Zimmerman and that is probably unfair given Zimmerman's fielding skills.
For Kiera. A butterfly found a perch on a ledge several rows away. Kiera, check your guide and tell me which one this is.
This is the 3B umpire for today, Tim McClelland. I'm not sure why so sour in his expression. He was behind the plate last night and is known as being
slow in giving his calls. For example, in last night's game while calling balls and strikes, it took a full 3 seconds for him to register his call on a strikeout - no exaggeration.
I failed to mention that this weekend was an "invitational" to dogs and their owners. Fortunately they were in their own section and just as fortunately those of us with allergies benefited from the (pardon the legal term, but it's kinder) "sequestration." I'm not certain but I think the two in the center were featured on the "Kiss Cam" during the game. Oh Boys!!!
Martin pitched effectively for 6.2 innings. One of the relief pitchers, Tyler Clippard came in during the 8th and held the Marlins scoreless.
Justin Maxwell in CF has replaced the greatly missed Nyjer Morgan. Going into today's game the Nats had lost 8 in a row; all 8 following Morgan's broken hand in Chicago.
The ninth - well, at least the top of the 9th, would be best forgotten. The Nats had tied the score in the bottom of the eighth but the Marlins came back in the 9th with 2 runs, one scored on this play at the plate. Nieves is ready but Chris Coghlan slips in before the tag beating the ball. The HP ump is Andy Fletcher but it almost appears that Cameron Maybin, the Marlins player behind Fletcher, is an umpire in training.
One of the advantages in a foot first slide is it usually "kicks-up" enough dust to... well, Coghlan was safe anyway. Less dust with head first and more injuries (Morgan's broken hand). Head first slides are usually associated with Pete Rose but the truth is he either flew or dove into the bag. I don't remember him wasting much time on the ground ... and, heaven forbid there be anybody in the way. Then again, there was the "spikes up" sliding of the Ty Cobb era...
Then there was the bottom of the 9th... After falling behind by 2 runs in the top of the 9th, it would not have been unusual to see fans leave. For some reason today that did not happen. In fact, the chanting from the 22,000 plus only grew louder. I pointed out to SNS that the flags in the outfield which had been blowing
in most of the game were now flapping
out.
It took only 5 pitches. The first batter was Willie Harris and on the first pitch... well, you can guess by seeing the Marlins' RFer, Cody Ross, now turned spectator and looking up to the upper deck. He's not talking to any fan although he may be mumbling under his breath. One run to go to tie, two to win.
Willie Harris in his HR trot around 3B.
The next batter, Cristian Guzman, slapped the first pitch on the ground to the infield and turned the burners on about half way down the line and beat out an infield hit. Next batter: Ryan Zimmerman. There was a stir. Four previous walk-off HRs (2 already against the Marlins) and no one said anything (the jinx thing) but you knew what everyone was thinking. Zimmerman worked the count to 1-1 and the flags were still flapping in the right direction. The next pitch... well, let the pics speak.
Both Zimmerman and Dan Ugla are walking off - both to their respective dugouts but one of the two will be delayed.
The delay for Zimmerman - over 20 teammates all to make certain he touches the plate (off to the side and not in the pic is HP Ump Andy Fletcher making certain as well).
It's a leap and a jump to the plate, he touches, and bedlam follows.
Only 28 times this year has Screech climbed the scaffolding in RF next to the scoreboard and the "Nats Fans 10" sign to signal a win. This was a sweet one and particularly so for Zimmerman whose last walk-off HR was opening day 2008 against the Braves. By the way, Screech stands on a somewhat precarious "perch" (pardon me) and in his "get-up" has to climb some distance to perch himself. His "get-up" includes these oversize, clown-like shoes. Maybe for his overall health it's been good there have only been 28 home wins (so far). Key words for a fan: SO FAR. Pray for Screech and his continued safety in climbing. Maybe this was part of the reason for a leaner and trimmer Screech this year?
...til later.
Gianna did peek out when not working the controls (alright, she did have a little help from us too).
There's something fluffy and soft about Kiera's dog. Kiera was generous in letting Gianna play with it but we had to promise Kiera we wouldn't let Gianna drool on it. She was good and we were true to our word and I'm serious about the promise to Kiera.
Woof...
I want to be accurate about this one... Kiera, except for church this AM, had an active day. In fact, efforts to photograph her earlier were frustrated by her movements. I couldn't speed up the shutter enough to capture what she was doing. In fact she wore herself down so much she collapsed on the couch giving me the chance to "steal" this pic. The cap is from her doll and I placed it there while she was napping. She would not have approved and I suspect she will say something to me when she sees the pic. The sleepers were her choice. After church she decided to rummage through some of her old clothing. She found 2 pair of old sleepers, both of which when tried on became "button poppers" but undeterred she wore one or the other, off and on, through the day. Now, for accuracy's sake, she had a wonderful day and was a great help and I'm not sure whether she or Sheila will give me the harder time for the pic.
Looks like they just slept the day away, doesn't it. Well, keep thinking that. After everyone left following dinner Sheila and I both slumped away and fortunately no one was around with a camera. It wasn't because we were just sleepy...try exhaustion.
Our slumber: with smiles from a wonderful day!
