Nats 8, Marlins 4
Some postgame thoughts from the Nats’ first victory of the homestand, which concludes with a brief two-game series against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Monday and Tuesday. Washington’s offense has been in dire straits early in 2011. But there have been signs of life over the last week – five runs or more in six of the last eight games. Read more in our game story here about how quiet bats have kept the Nats muddling along near .500 when the players feel they could have been well beyond that mark 40 games into the season.
Right-handed reliever Todd Coffey endured a scary moment in the seventh inning after coming on with two down, a Florida runner on first base and Washington ahead 7-4. Former Nat Emilio Bonifacio greeted Coffey with a line drive off his right elbow. The ball bounced towards shortstop Alex Cora, who had no play on the speedy Bonifacio. But Coffey had to leave the game, a giant welt visible above his elbow.
“If you get one, you got to get a good one, you know,” Coffey cracked.
He could afford to smile afterwards because x-rays were negative. A visibly relieved Coffey had already gone through three rounds of ice treatment and planned on spending some more quality time with ice bags throughout Sunday night – as well as wearing a compression sleeve to push the swelling down. Not unusual for Coffey. He said balls ricochet off his body “three or four times a year.” Hopes to be ready to pitch in a day or two.
“I know. It sucks. It’s even worse that I didn’t get the job done,” Coffey said. “Didn’t get the out and get anything out of the inning. But, you know, I’m going to charge in the next time. I’ll be ready to go in hopefully a day or two.”
That word “charge” fit on Sunday. The Nats introduced a timer on the big HD scoreboard in right field to clock Coffey – listed at 240 pounds, but likely more than that – when he makes his furious dash in from the bullpen to the mound. No other reliever in baseball has as entertaining an entrance. He made it in just over 13 seconds this time, much to the delight of the Nationals Park crowd. Unfortunately, didn’t last much longer than that in the actual game thanks to Bonifacio’s line drive.
In other injury news, Nats manager Jim Riggleman expects to have shortstop Ian Desmond (sore right quad) back in the lineup Monday against the Pirates. Riggleman also said first baseman Adam LaRoche is just in a slump. His sore left shoulder is not affecting him at the plate. Certainly hasn’t hurt him in the field. LaRoche made a handful of fine defensive plays, including a reaching stab of a Chris Coghlan grounder to record the second out of the ninth inning. Hat tip to reliever Cole Kimball as well for hustling over to first to catch the speedy Coghlan.
Big game for Ivan Rodriguez. The 39-year-old veteran has found his playing time reduced thanks to the hot start by 23-year-old catcher Wilson Ramos. Rodriguez has played in just 19 games now with 63 at-bats total. Came into the day with a .217 batting average and a .621 OPS. But he had to feel a little better after Sunday’s contest. Rodriguez had a single, a double, a walk and three RBI. It’s the first time he’s reached base three times in one game this season.
“My swing is always there. I’ve been hit balls hard, right at people, getting some hits, some good at-bats,” Rodriguez said. “But that’s the beauty of baseball. You got to stay strong mentally and physically and that’s me. I’m a player that’s been in baseball for a long time and concentration is the most important thing for every player. And I always prepare for that. And every time I get the opportunity, every at bat that I’m going to have I’m going to do my best.”
Can’t ignore what starting pitcher Jason Marquis has done this season. He is now 5-1 with a 3.54 ERA after a 6 2/3 innings, two-run effort Sunday. Two Florida runs were unearned thanks to a Jerry Hairston throwing error in the second inning. Long way from last season when Marquis’ elbow ruined any chance at a decent year before he finally needed surgery to fix the problem.
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