Vazquez continues to have issues in the 1st; Florida Marlins vs. Washington Nationals

This was Game 3 of a 3 game series with the Nationals. The Marlins looking for their 2nd sweep of the season.

Javier Vazquez going into the game had an ERA over 10 in the 1st innings of games. Vazquez kept up with his horrendous 1st innings as he allowed 6 runs in the 1st. The Marlins got 2 of the runs back in the top of the 2nd from a sac fly by Mike Stanton bringing in Gaby Sanchez after he reached off an error in the lead off spot and Brett Hayes hit an RBI single bringing in Logan Morrison after he hit a double (that moved Gaby to 3rd earlier in the inning).

The Nationals added another run in the 5th inning virtue of an RBI double from Ivan Rodriguez. The Marlins put 2 more runs on the board in the bottom of the 7th off an RBI double from Greg Dobbs and RBI single from Chris Coghlan. Ivan Rodriguez then scored the last run of the game for the Nationals to put them above the Marlins 8-4 on an RBI single from Roger Bernadina.

Javier Vazquez stayed in the game for 4 innings allowing 7 hits, 6 runs (all earned), walked 2, struck out 4, and received the loss to put him 2-4 on the season. The Nationals starter Jason Marquis received the win as he pitched 6 innings allowing 6 hits, 4 runs, 2 of which runs were earned, walked 1, and struck out 2.

Coghlan powers the Fish over the Nats; Grapefruit League: Florida Marlins vs. Washington Nationals

On an extremely hot day in Viera, Florida the Florida Marlins traveled from Jupiter to play the Washington Nationals in their former spring training home. The Marlins in the 3rd inning took the first lead of the game. National pitcher Ross Detwiler hit Chris Coghlan in the head with a pitch, safe to say this was payback from Ricky Nolasco hitting Nyjer Morgan (who was traded right before the game to the Milwaukee Brewers) and Danny Espinosa, and then on a double by Greg Dobbs with two outs, Coghlan made it home barely safe. The Nationals in the bottom of the 3rd; Ian Desmond with 1 out and no one on tripled to right field and Jayson Werth with an RBI sac tied the game up at 1. Nationals' Michael Morse hit a lead off solo home run in the 6th to give the Nationals a 2-1 lead. Next batter grounded out, then in the 3rd spot (of the inning) Espinosa singled and then stole 2nd and 3rd on Brian Sanches. A wild pitch by Sanches brought Espinosa home to extend the lead to 3-1. The 7th inning was a great one for the Marlins. A lead off single by Scott Cousins started it all. Brad Davis then also singled, and on a bunt attempt by Ozzie Martinez, Ryan Zimmerman made a fielding error allowing the bases to be loaded. The Marlins then put Jeff Dominguez to pinch hit for the pitcher Sanches and he hit an RBI single bringing in Cousins, 3-2 Nationals. Coghlan hit a beautiful line drive to right field which resulted in a 3 RBI triple which gave the Marlins the lead again at 5-3. There was still no outs in this inning when Doug Slaten walked Emilio Bonifacio, who then stole 2nd. With 1 out Wes Helms brought Coghlan home with a RBI sac fly to right field. Which then ended the rally at 6-3 Marlins. In the bottom of the 9th the Nationals scored a run but still fell 6-4 to the Marlins. Brian Sanches got the win for the Marlins, Brian Broderick got the loss for the Nationals, and Daniel Jennings got the save.

Starting line up

Nationals' starting pitcher, Ross Detwiler

Marlins' starting pitcher, Adalberto Mendez

Greg Dobbs at bat. (I just think this photos cool.)

Chris Coghlan clearly makes it safe and the ump agrees.

Rick Ankeil batting. (Also thought this was pretty cool.)

Jeff Dominguez scores uncontested.

Dan Jennings pitching and recieved the save.

Grapefruit League: Atlanta Braves vs. Washington Nationals (Picture Post)

Well I kept score in this game, but I guess I was too excited being back at a baseball game to do it accurately so good thing for online box scores!

Well the day started for me with a 2 hour drive to Viera, waiting 30 minutes with a full bladder to get into the stadium, and then 90 minutes by the Nationals dugout hoping to score a Bryce Harper or any other player autograph (nothing). Though while I was by the dugout I did get to see a glimse of Bryce! All was well I've had my share of unproductive days in the sun at a baseball field.

The day started out a bit gloomy with 60% chance of percepitation, but by game time it was sunny.

Ross Detwiler pitched spectacular even with given the lossing decision. He pitched 3 innings with only allowing 1 hit, 1 run (not earned), and walked only 1 batter. He struck out 5 players; Martin Prado looking in the 1st, David Ross swinging in the 2nd, Tommy Hanson swinging the 3rd, Martin Prado looking in the 3rd (2nd time), and Jordan Schafer swinging in the 3rd. The 3rd inning for Detwiler was 3 up 3 down, all down by strike outs.

The Nationals newly signed right fielder, Jayson Werth, making New York Yankee money. Werth in this at bat grounded out to the Braves starting pitcher, Tommy Hanson. Werth ended up 0-for-3 with a groundout in the 1st, struck out looking in the 4th, and another groundout in the 7th.

Newly signed Braves 2nd baseman, previously with the Marlins, Dan Uggla went 1-for-3 with a groundout in the 2nd, a single line drive to right field in the 4th, and struck out swinging in the 6th.

Jason Heyward, former hot shot prospect, headed to his sophmore season with the Atlanta Braves. Heyward was 1-for-1 in this game, walked his first time up in the 2nd inning, hit in the foot by a pitch in the 4th, and singled to center field in the 9th. Then manager Freddie Rodriguez (successor to Bobby Cox) substituted him with a pinch runner in Wilkin Ramirez.

The MLB's 2011 First-Year Player Draft's 1st overall pick by the Nationals, Bryce Harper, makes hard contact on his only at bat of the game, but the Braves left fielder, Martin Prado, made an amazing diving catch to make him the 3rd out of the 7th inning.

Luis Atilano pitched for an inning allowing 3 hits, 3 runs 2 of which earned, walked 1, and no strike outs. He finished his 1 inning of work with an ERA of 18.

Unpictured notable players and game notes:
Atlanta Braves-

The Braves as a team offensively went 9-for-35; 7 singles and 2 doubles, 10 strike outs, and left 13 runners on base. Defensively allowed 2 hits, 1 walk, and struck out 9.
Chipper Jones started the game at 3rd base played well defensively and offensively went 1-for-3 with groundout in the 1st, doubled to center field and scored in the 4th, and struck out looking in the 6th (after what looked to be a bad call by the home plate umpire when the count was 3-1). Every time Chipper Jones came up to bat the Braves fans showed him their love.

Tommy Hanson was the starting pitcher for the Braves, he pitched 3 innings allowing no hits, no runs, and only 1 hit. Though Hanson only struck out Danny Espinosa, he recieved the winning decision.

Cristhian Martinez came into pitch after Hanson's 3 innings and pitched for 2 innings. Martinez allowed 1 hit and struck out 5 (all looking); Ian Desmond looking in the 4th, Jayson Werth looking in the 4th (back-to-back), Wilson Ramos looking in the 5th, (Laynce Nix singled), Danny Espinosa looking in the 5th, and Michael Aubrey looking in the 5th.


Washington Nationals-

The Nationals as a whole offensively went 2-for-29; 2 singles, 9 strike outs, and 5 runners left on base.
Defensively allowed 9 hits, 5 runs which 3 were earned, walked 2, and struck out 10.

The Braves won this game 5-0 at Space Coast Stadium in Viera, Florida on March 6th, 2011. The Braves advantaced to 7-2 while the Nationals went to 4-3.

After the game I headed back to the Washington Nationals dugout where I got a baseball signed and a picture with Bryce Harper!