MASNsports.com is your online home for the latest Orioles and Nationals news, features, and commentary. And now, you can connect with MASN on every digital level. From web and social media to our new mobile alert service, MASN has got all the bases covered.
Get the latest breaking news direct to your phone with our free mobile texting service. Text "MASN" to 29292, or click the join button below!
Twenty-six runs, 31 hits, four hit-by-pitches, six ejections and one nasty brawl. Is there any doubt the Nationals have played their craziest game of the year?
There will be plenty of fallout from this one - Nyjer Morgan, who already had a seven-game suspension looming, will undoubtedly see that grow, and it's possible the Nationals will cut ties with him. And Scott Olsen, after giving up nine runs in 1 1/3 innings, has never looked as uncertain a member of the Nationals' rotation as he does now.
The Nationals continued to hit after falling behind 14-3 in the first three innings, making a game out of it despite manager Jim Riggleman pulling his best slugger, first baseman Adam Dunn, on a double switch in the fifth inning. But Craig Stammen was almost as bad in relief as Olsen was starting the game (he allowed six runs in 3 1/3 innings) and the Nationals never really had a chance to win their second game of the three-game series in Florida.
So they'll go to Pittsburgh now, after a day off, with lots to sort out. Morgan's future is chief among those questions. I'd assume he'll be suspended fairly quickly by MLB, and once that's added to his seven-game suspension for throwing a ball into the stands last month in Philadelphia, it's possible he's played his last game for the Nationals. There have been enough ugly incidents on the field that it wouldn't be surprising to see the Nationals part with him, which would be fairly inexpensive to do.
But there's an important point to make here: Even with his struggles on the field and his difficulty controlling his temper, the Nationals were still hoping for the best out of Morgan. As recently as last weekend, manager Jim Riggleman said Morgan would be the team's leadoff hitter in a perfect world. He plays the game aggressively, sometimes on the edge of recklessness, and that's gotten the better of him over the last week. The Nationals have continued to give him chances because they like that energy. Whether they're willing to deal with its side effects is another question.
I've heard a few readers suggest the Nationals - or more pointedly, I - should have seen this coming all along. That's convenient to say now, with things going badly. But Morgan was a key piece of the Nationals' offense last year, and judging by how many chances the Nationals have continued to give him, it's clear they have still had faith in him, at least to this point. We'll see if Morgan has spent all those chances, but I know this much from watching how the Nationals have handled things this year: They were giving Morgan enough leash to play himself out of his slump.
On Wednesday night, that leash might have run out.
The team did seem more energized after the brawl? Riggleman went toe-to-toe with their manager and then had Slaten retaliate for Gaby Sanchez's clotheslining Morgan. I have to wonder if he's really gone or not ??? Listach just dove in there and crushed Volstad. I assume for a coach to do, its a suspension? And Riggleman going to toe-to-toe? Then calling for Slaten to retaliate? He had Storen warming ... I can't believe that was Riggleman out there? I admit it has made me reconsider my opinions about his managing ... just wish we had seen more of this Riggleman earlier in the year.
The first suspension we know is a bunch of hooey ... as testified to by that Phillies fan.
I guess we'll have to wait and see what Rizzo thinks of it all. It looks to me like the team may have been in on it? This one is hard to figure ... ???
I understand That Nyjer probably stole the bases to upset the Marlins but I don't understand how you can show up another team when they are beating you by 10 runs in the 4th inning if the Nats were the one leading and Nyjer did that then it would be another story.I also think that when B. Phillips hit Nieves earlier this season he showed up the Nats much more than Morgan did last night by hitting thier catcher.Obviuosly its been a tough year for Morgan and more than a few times his anger has taken over but maybe tonight will put things back in perspective for him.
On the MLB video, just before the brawl, it looked as though Nyjer looked down the 3rd base line, then charged the mound. Maybe he was looking for a "go" sign from Listach? Ha!
MLB Network is speculating the next suspense will be for at least the rest of this year.
Never thought I would see such a "ringing endrsement' of Riggs from Peric. I don't know why you find this appropriate though. I think it was Nyjer's decision to steal those two bases, not Riggs.
"I can't believe that was Riggleman out there?"
-->Riggs isn't "Lassiez-faire Manny" that you were so used to.
"The first suspension we know is a bunch of hooey ... as testified to by that Phillies fan."
-->You have to admit that that suspension will atleast be partially upheld even if they were two unrelated events. Bob Watson and the MLB brass will sense a pattern.
There's somethings you don't do in sports in "garbage times" on both sides of the lopsidedness. I think had the shoe been on the other foot, you wouldve been crying foul.
I can't believe that was Riggleman out there?"
-->Riggs isn't "Lassiez-faire Manny" that you were so used to.
The Riggleman I saw tonight is a Riggleman that could get even this team over .500. He wasn't "vanilla".
He still had a lot of fire even after the game when he was defending Nyjer's base stealing to Knight ...
Yep this is what this team needs IMHO.
Riggleman has been suspended a bunch of times this year and last year, I'm not that suprised, but it's nice to see you giving such high praise. I think he does a good job of sticking up for the players, something Manny lacked. I think he wouldve done the same thing for Morse just as much as Nyjer. And I think it's good he was defending the Nyjer base stealing, you have to even if you disagree with it.
Looks like the Nats are already preparing for a Stras-less year...
"The Washington Nationals today announced the new "Buy 2 Get 2" season ticket offer for 2011, which gives Nationals fans who place a deposit on two new 2011 season tickets in select seating areas two additional 2011 season tickets FREE.
The "Buy 2 Get 2" offer is limited to select seating categories, but fans can also place a deposit on new 2011 season tickets in ANY section of the ballpark. As a bonus for their loyal support, they will "Finish in Style" by receiving FREE tickets to all remaining home games this season."
http://washington.nationals.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20100901&content_id=14173756&vkey=pr_was&fext=.jsp&c_id=was
Listening to the Marlins announcers complaining that Morgan stole 2 and 3. Sorry, but when does a team losing a game supposed to give up. You keep fighting till the end. The unwritten rule is the team ahead doesn't run up the score. Good for Morgan trying to fire up the team.
"Listach just dove in there and crushed Volstad."
--------
I had another commitment and missed this.
Goose, can MASN put this up? I'd really like to see the nasty brawl.
ejected* not suspended
go to nationals.com. I think MASNsports.com is restricted from showing game action. Look at the media lounge and you'll notice a lack of game film.
------------------------
Correct. MLB Advanced Media restricts game highlights to being shown on its own website - even though they're carried on a rightsholder's network, they're seen as property of MLB.
Ben
A bad night to have another committment Swoonie. What could possibly be more important than a Nats-Marlins game in September?
Nyjer Morgan is now my favorite player on the team. If a pitcher is throwing purposely at a batter, I think he deserves anything he gets. I don't think MLB does enough to stop pitchers from throwing at batters purposely.