Month: June 2015

Will the Real Fister Show Up?

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Doug Fister is starting tonight; it will be great to see him back on the hill!

But I have been concerned about him since the start of the 2015 season; his fastball has been sitting about 83-84mph, but NO ONE associated with the team has been commenting on that!  That is strange and has me worried that his best days may be behind him, or that he has an injury that the team wants to keep quiet about.  His “normal” fastball has been 88-90mph throughout his career.  A fastball of 83-84 just gives major-league hitters too much time to barrell one up:)

I hope Doug is back to his “old” form and speed.

His Name is Joe, Joe Ross

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Today Ross started his second game on the mound since being called up from AA-Harrisburg.  He was spectacular, pitching 8 dominant innings against the good-hitting Brewers of Milwaukee.  He even set a new Nationals record for rookie pitchers—facing 51 batters before walking anyone!  Ross showed amazing poise and self-confidence while pounding the strike-zone.  He was still throwing 93-94 mile an hour fastballs in the 8th inning.  The Nats may have to figure out a way to keep him after Strass and Fister return to the starting rotation.

Giant’s Chris Heston Throws No-hitter

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Whenever a rookie pitcher throws a no-no it is something very special!  A former colleague, neighbor and friend (retired Ambassador Maurice Parker) sent me this a couple of days ago:

“I’ve been watching this kid, Chris Heston, all year and his pitching has been inconsistent. The Giants brought him up from the minors, due to Matt Cain’s ongoing assignment to the DL. He had very big shoes to fill, but is starting to fill them just fine! He pitched a masterful game on Tuesday night. I also have to give Buster Posey a lot of credit for guiding him through it. This is the fourth No/No Buster has caught in the past four years! Buster and Chris Heston really synchronized their actions out there on the field. One incredible aspect of the game was that the Giants were playing the First Place METS in New York. The other three No Hitters that Matt Cain and Tim Lincecum pitched in the past few years were against the pitiful Astros and Padres. Thus, Heston’s no hitter is quite special. Let’s hope he can keep it up!

The local SF Radio announcers who interviewed Heston after the game suggested that he go into the locker room and tell Madison Bumgardner (Mr. World Series MVP) that he would be happy to show him how to throw a no hitter. Well, the kid seemed afraid to do so. Can you imagine what Mad Bum would have done to him????? If Heston can become more consistent, this could turn out to be a very good year.”

Keep your eyes on the Giants.  This could be their chance to show us they can win it all in an odd-numbered year:)

Maryland vs Virginia–Today!

Pete "Hit 'n Run" Wood 1 Comment

Yep, it is happening like it did last year.  Today at 4pm UVa plays UMd in the NCAA playoffs.  Virginia was victorious last year, and they went all the way to the final game in Omaha.  Both teams have had up-and-down seasons, but appear to be peaking at the right time now.  Starting pitchers are Mike Shawaryn (13-2) for Maryland and Connor Jones (6-2) for Virginia.

I would have to say Maryland appears likely to go farther than UVa this year.  Both knocked off higher rated teams recently to get to today’s game.  And Virginia lost some of their best players from last year.  The best of three tournament will begin today on the U.Va. home field.

Clip to the Rescue?

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Most of you likely saw this in today’s Post already, but any mention of Tyler Clippard returning to the Nats “pen” calls for at least a brief comment:)  After the bull-pen melt-down in Cincy, which included the first bad outing by Clip’s replacement Casey Janssen, most Nats fans are concerned, to say the least.  Some shuffling of the “deck” has already occurrred.  The article pointed out that if Oakland doesn’t start winning more games soon, they may be “sellers” at the July 31 trade deadline.  And given that the Athletics have a history of many trades with Washington, it would not surprise many if Clippard returns to the Nats come July 31.

I heard talk of the following on MLB talk radio this morning:  Wilson Ramos mentioned in an interview with 106.7 “The fan” radio that before the last game in Cincy (in which Joey Votto was hit by a pitch from Tanner Roark) the Nats had discussed exacting some retribution for the Reds pitchers hitting Gio twice and Bryce once in the previous two games.  I hope this doesn’t result in a suspension or fine for the Nationals.