Forever Young
Submitted by Jeff on Sun, 07/29/2007 - 8:29am.
- In the opener of a day-night doubleheader at Shea, the Nats got a sterling pitching performance from Tim Redding, who allowed one run over six innings and left the game with a 1-1 tie. Unfortunately, Saul Rivera stumbled in relief and the Mets bullpen kept the Nats in check the rest of the way, resulting in a 3-1 loss. (Box score)
- The Nats weren't sure what they would get from Joel Hanrahan in his major league debut in the nightcap, but Manny Acta summed it up afterwards in two words: "pretty impressive". Hanrahan pitched 5 2/3 scoreless innings before faltering and allowing three runs; he tripled in his first MLB at bat as well (only the fourth pitcher to do so since 1974). This time around, the Nats were livelier on offense, and survived a Mets rally in the eighth to eke out a 6-5 win and split the doubleheader. (Box score)
- Between the afternoon loss and the evening win, the Nats signed Dmitri Young to a two-year, $10-million contract extension. Team president Stan Kasten said this signing, as well as Ronnie Belliard earlier in the week, didn't signal a departure from The Plan®: "If there is an opportunity to add a player, then we'll take it." While Nick Johnson's return remains uncertain, the Nats expect Johnson to play first base again for the team by next season, with Young moving to the outfield.
- Speaking of Johnson, Manny Acta "sounded like a man who had doubts" that Johnson would return this season. Johnson needs to rehab in the minors before he can return, and the minor league season wraps up around Labor Day. Acta: "If he doesn't have enough at-bats or some type of rehab assignment. ... we are just going to shut him down."
- What's it like to spend two complete days, with a long gap between them, at Shea Stadium? Not very fun, concludes the Times. "Seriously, they can't blow this place up soon enough."
- John Lannan hasn't exactly made himself a lot of friends in Philadelphia for hitting Chase Utley with a pitch Thursday, putting Utley on the DL for several weeks with a broken hand. The Patriot-Times article mentions one Philly sports blog post with a straightforward message: "Fear For Your Safety, John Lannan", while Just A Nats Fan finds Facebook groups with titles like "John Lannan Must Die". So that's what they mean by "brotherly love"…