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Welcome to MASN's discussion space for tonight's Nationals-Reds game at Great American Ballpark in Cincinnati. You can talk about the game here in the comments section, and I'll respond to you there. I'll also post some updates and thoughts on the game below -- we've got enough other things going on here today that I'm going to post the lineups here and consolidate a post.
Nationals:
Morgan, cf
Desmond, ss
Dunn, 1b
Zimmerman, 3b
Willingham, lf
Bernadina, rf
Rodriguez, c
Kennedy, 2b
Atilano, rhp
Reds:
Cabrera, ss
Janish, 2b
Votto, 1b
Gomes, lf
Bruce, rf
Cairo, 3b
Stubbs, cf
Miller, c
Leake, rhp
5th inning: After a pair of rain delays (we're in the middle of the second one right now) the Nationals are down 5-1. Luis Atilano is already done, and it'll be interesting to see if he gets another start after allowing five runs in four innings while walking three. Scott Olsen could be ready to pitch after another start or two, so if the Nationals can get through one more time through the rotation, they could hand the spot back to Olsen. Atilano's next start would be Sunday against the Brewers. Matt Chico would have to be pushed back two days to make the start, but it's a possibility. Otherwise, the Nationals could let Atilano pitch Sunday and put Olsen back in the rotation after that.
They're still in a rain delay in Cincinnati, and it's unclear when, or if, this one will start again. In the meantime, here are a couple blog posts to tide you over.
Play resumed at 11:10 p.m. after a 2:40 rain delay, and the Reds are right back at it. They scored a total of three runs in the fifth, stealing a base when a throw slipped out of Ivan Rodriguez's hand and scoring two runs when Ryan Zimmerman threw low to Adam Dunn and the ball skipped away. It's 8-1 Reds after five. Maybe it'll start raining again and they'll call this one.
6th inning: Er, not so fast. The Nationals scored six runs in the sixth, two on a homer by Ryan Zimmerman, three on a bases-loaded triple from Michael Morse and one more on a double by Ian Desmond. They now trail 8-7, and the top of their lineup is working well tonight -- if you can call anything happening here tonight effective.
9th inning: The Nationals' comeback doesn't go any further, and Adam Dunn is called out on a questionable strike to end the game. The pitch looked to be inside on replays, and manager Jim Riggleman had a heated exchange with the umpires as the game ended. Nonetheless, the Nationals fall 8-7, have lost six of seven and are 40-54. Good thing it's Strasmas tomorrow.
