Washington Nationals Baseball Blog » Steven Shell

Nationals struggle at the plate as they are shut out 2-0 by the Diamondbacks

NationsNational — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 02:17:48 +0000

The Washington Nationals had a bad night at the plate on Tuesday night as they were shutout by the Arizona Diamondbacks 2-0. Terrible job by the offense on a night where the pitching staff actually threw the ball well. If it isn’t the offense, it is the pitching, the Nats just can’t get both things clicking on the same night.

Odalis Perez tossed 2 1/3 innings and gave up one hit and a run but was tossed from the game after he argued a balk call. Steven Shell then came into the game to throw 2 1/3 innings of scoreless baseball. The Diamondbacks did get one unearned run off of Saul Rivera in the sixth inning. Joel Hanrahan then tossed the final two innings of the game and did not allow a hit or a run.

Austin Kearns and Dmitri Young both had two hits but were unable to help the team score any runs. Just another night where the Nationals offense stunk.

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Nationals hold off the Marlins for a 9-6 victory

NationsNational — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 02:28:46 +0000

The Washington Nationals were able to hold off the Florida Marlins for a 9-6 victory on Tuesday night. The Marlins actually had the tying run at the plate in the bottom of the ninth inning but they were unable to in the inning. It was a good win for the Nationals as they evened up the series at 1-1.

The Nationals got down early and just kept plugging away in the game. Ronnie Belliard finished the game with four rbi as he hit a grand slam in the sixth inning for the Nationals. Elijah Dukes also had a solo home run in the fourth inning. Felipe Lopez chipped in with two rbi while Willie Harris had one rbi.

Collin Balester pitched five innings to start the game and only gave up one hit and one run to get a no decision. Balester pitched well enough to pick up the victory and is now 1-0. Steven Shell had some problems as he gave up two hits and three runs in relief of Balester. Charlie Manning also gave up two runs in relief. Jon Rauch pitched the ninth inning to record his 17th save of the season.

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Nationals fall behind early and lose 8-3

NationsNational — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 01:57:27 +0000

The Washington Nationals got behind 8-0 in the third inning and lost to the Los Angeles Angels by the score of 8-3. With the Nats getting down by eight runs so early in the game, you have to wonder if it took a lot of emotion out of the team. They had to have been thinking, “here we go again”. It was just another bad loss for the Nationals.

Shawn Hill stunk it up as he only pitched three innings and gave up eight hits and six runs. Hill was rocked right from the get go as the Angels bats were hot and they were hitting him hard all over the field. Hill dropped his record to 1-5 with the loss.

I will give the Nationals bullpen credit however as they limited the hot hitting Angels scoreless. Steven Shell, Jesus Colome, Joel Hanrahan, and Charlie Manning all pitched well out of the bullpen for the Nationals.

Wily Mo Pena hit a solo home run in the third inning for the Nationals first run of the game. Elijah Dukes then hti a solo home run in the fourth inning. Kory Casto had a pitch hit rbi single in the fifth inning for the Nationals third and final run of the game.

Now the Nationals will look to avoid the sweep on Wednesday. I really expect them to lose on Wednesday as well.

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