Final tune-up for Nats and their sparkling new home
In their first game at Nationals Park, the Nats shutout the visiting Baltimore Orioles 3-0 behind solid pitching from starter Jason Bergmann and timely hitting from Nick Johnson and Austin Kearns.
The Nats sent 8 men to the plate in the 1st and got all they would need for Bergmann to earn the victory. After lead-off man Christian Guzman led off the inning with a walk, new centerfielder Lastings Milledge was hit by a pitch.
Ryan Zimmerman hit a sac fly to right that moved Guzman to third. Johnson followed that with a sharp single to center plate Guzman for the 1-0 lead. After Dmitri Young struck out, Kearns hit a long fly over the head of left fielder Jay Payton to score Milledge and the 2-0 advantage. Bergmann would make that stand and the Nationals christened the new park with a W.
First pitch at the new park was at 6:10pm with a game time temp at 53 degrees. It felt a lot colder since the windows in the press box were kept open the entire game. Can you say cold?? The time of game was 2:27 with an announced attendance of 34,635
The Highs....
Jason Bergmann pitched 5 scoreless innings, allowing just a 2nd inning single by Jay Payton. He struck out 3 and walked 4. Bergmann got out of a jam in the 1st. He got 2 quick outs before walking Nick Markakis and Kevin Millar. Then he got Luke Scott to ground out sharply to Nick Johnson to end the frame. Bergamann wrapped up spring with a measly 2.08 era.
Nick Johnson started at 1st and had 2 hits. 2 singles off O's starter Adam Loewen. Johnson finished spring ball with a .308 avg.
Paul LoDuca reached base 3 times, 2 walks and a single. LoDuca hit .357 this spring.
Austin Kearns reached 2 times with a double, his 6th, to deep left that scored a run in the first and walk in the 5th.
Felipe Lopez showing off his strong arm. Top of the 6th, runner on 1st, Jay Payton grounder in the hole, Payton out by a ½ step.
Reliever Garrett Mock pitched 2 scoreless innings allowing one hit and striking out 1.
Reliever Mike O'Connor retired all 6 batters he faced to earn the save.
The Lows....
LoDuca and Bergmann allowed 3 SB. None of the runners were close to getting thrown out.
Dmitri Young, Elijah Dukes and Ronnie Belliard went a combined 1-10.
Other thoughts....
I took advice from everyone who said take the Metro to the ballpark. What a pleasant experience except for the fact I thought you could change trains for the Green line at Metro Center, uh no. I had to wait for the next train to Gallery Place/China Town then get on the Green line to Navy yard.
Granted it was an exhibition game, but not too crowded at 2pm for a 6pm start. I'm sure Sunday night will be a different story. It's a short walk once you get off the Metro to the ballpark where you enter the stadium in left field, if you have tickets.
If you are a member of the media you have to walk to the opposite side of the stadium to enter at home plate. If it sounds like I'm complaining, I'm not. Just not going to be thrilled in the summer when it's 110 in the shade.
Looking ahead to Sunday night...
The Nationals host the Atlanta Braves in the Inaugural game at Nationals Park. The game will be broadcast nationally, but MASN will air a 1 hour Nats Xtra special pregame show live from the park at 7pm hosted by Johnny Holliday and Ray Knight from the concourse in left field.
Debbi Taylor will have on field interviews. Immediately following the game, Nats Xtra post game will be live with Manny Acta's news conference, Debbi will have player interviews and Johnny and Ray will break down the game.
Check back Sunday for more information regarding the big night in the Nation's Capitol.
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