Padres 2, Nats 1
The offensive struggles continue for Washington, which has scored three runs or less in eight of its last 13 games. Not going to win many games that way. Check out the details from Saturday’s defeat in our game story here.
Some interesting comments from outfielder Jayson Werth on the lack of offensive support for starting pitcher Jordan Zimmermann, who is now 2-6 despite a 3.88 ERA. He wasn’t perfect on Saturday. But Zimmermann allowed just two runs in six innings and threw 67 strikes. That makes five starts in a row where he’s given up three runs or less – all of them at least six innings – and yet come away with two losses and two no-decisions.
The key play in the fourth inning was a fly ball to right that just eluded Werth. That ended up an RBI triple for Padres rookie Blake Tekotte. An RBI single followed and that was all the runs San Diego needed.
“If you make it it’s a really good play. But it’s probably over-looked as a really good play [because] it appears routine,” Werth said of the fly ball that just ticked off his glove as he tried to run it down in front of the Nats’ bullpen in deep right. “Balls were sailing pretty good out there today. I had a chance at it. But I turned on it and just didn’t pick it up. Kind of stutter-stepped after it and was a half-step behind it.”
Werth noted that sometimes good pitchers suffer from lack of run support. It happened early last season when he was still with the Phillies and ace Roy Halladay couldn’t catch a break.
Players tried to remain positive afterwards. Laynce Nix insisted that his team wasn’t rattled when it left the bases loaded in the first inning. Ivan Rodriguez said the only way Washington will escape from a two-month long offensive rut is to stay positive. Werth briefly mentioned the absence of key hitters Ryan Zimmerman (abdominal surgery) and Adam LaRoche (shoulder), but also said injuries were no excuse. He pointed at his own struggles, too.
Meanwhile, Rodriguez is suddenly dealing with trade rumors. With Wilson Ramos, 23, a young building block for the future at catcher – and top prospect Derek Norris, 22, right behind him in Double-A – it makes sense for the Nats to deal the 39-year-old Rodriguez. Those rumors appeared after the San Francisco Giants lost prized catcher Buster Posey to a broken left fibula and torn ankle ligaments earlier this week on a collision at home plate. San Francisco general manager Brian Sabean has denied immediate interest in acquiring another catcher. But he kind of has to say that to maintain his leverage. For now, Rodriguez is fine right here.
“I can tell you one thing – I feel good where I am. I think this is a great team to be. Nice group of guys,” Rodriguez said after Saturday’s loss. “I told [general manager Mike] Rizzo that. And I don’t think about it. I play for the Washington Nationals right now and I’m focusing on winning ballgames and be a good teammate. Those rumors I hear that a whole lot in my 21-year career. Just concentrate to play my game, with my teammates. This is a great group of guys, great team, great organization. The fans are great. And I’m happy where I am.”
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