Serendipity #79

Stars – Simply Red

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=izOdvBmTDh0

 

Heard 7/27/2023 around 9:45 at Wegmans (Germantown)

July 23, 2023 – Nats 6, Giants 1

https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/WAS/WAS202307230.shtml

 

Time: 2:28

Attendance: 23,404

 

The Nats resumed play after the All-Star break with a thud, losing road series to the Cardinals and Cubs while giving up 52 runs in the process. They then returned home and took out their frustrations on a much better team, outscoring San Francisco 21-5 to sweep the 3 games – their first sweep of a 3-game or longer series since June of 2021.

 

After lefty Giants opener Scott Alexander allowed a one-out single to Lane Thomas and a two-out single to Joey Meneses in the bottom of the first, San Francisco manager Gabe Kapler brought in struggling starter Anthony DeSclafani to gain the platoon advantage against Stone Garrett. It didn’t work, as Garrett drew a walk and Dominic Smith delivered a nicely-placed hit to plate two runs. The Nats continued to pad their advantage against DeSclafani, with one run in the 3rd (RBI double from Garrett), two in the 4th (CJ Abrams sac fly, Thomas RBI double), and a Riley Adams solo homer in the 5th.

 

Thomas was deservedly the player of the game, with two singles, a double, and four stolen bases, tying Trea Turner and Michael A. Taylor for the Nats single-game record. He also contributed several outstanding defensive plays.

 

MacKenzie Gore required 90 pitches to get through 5 innings but did manage to keep the visitors off the board, helped on a few occasions by the glovework of Thomas and others. He was especially impressive in the 4th, when he fanned Mike Yastrzemski and David Villar with runners on second and third and no outs. The bullpen covered the final four frames, with a 7th-inning leadoff homer by Joc Pederson the only damage.

 

It was definitely hot in the sun, but we’ve reached the point in the summer where our seats are in the shade the entire game. I managed to avoid crowded Metro cars in both directions and had a nice lunch at Rasa.

July 4, 2023 – Reds 8, Nats 4

https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/WAS/WAS202307040.shtml

 

Time: 3:01

Attendance: 30,434

 

I guess you could say that the day somewhat exceeded expectations. As predicted, it was hot and humid. The traditional 11am holiday start meant that our seats were in the sun most of the game, so we spent a large part of it on the shaded concourse, either standing or sitting at tables when space permitted. However, there were only a few drops of rain, and the air quality was much better than the Code Orange level that was forecast. Four of us also had a nice post-game lunch, although a little later than we might have liked, given the length of the game.

 

The outcome of the contest wasn’t at all surprising, given that Cincinnati led their division while the Nats were last in theirs, despite just completing a 6-3 road trip. The gap between the two was glaringly apparent, as the Nats’ baserunning, fielding, clutch hitting, and pitching all were pretty much equally inept. (Washington starter Patrick Corbin gave up 10 hits and 3 walks while fanning only 2.) The Reds, meanwhile, featured smart and aggressive baserunning – 6 steals plus numerous extra bases taken. They outhomered the Nats 3-0, including a back-breaking 3-run shot by Nick Senzel in the top of the 3rd. Cincinnati’s pitching wasn’t dazzling, but it did manage to get several key outs to snuff out potential Washington rallies.