Nats “Replacements” sweep Amazin’s

OPENING DAY 4/6/2015
Nationals Park
Colon vs Scherzer

Max Scherzer's free agent signing in the off season looks like a brilliant maneuver based solely on his opening day performance (6.1 IP and 1 ER).  Scherzer fanned 8 in 6+ innings, but when he left the bullpen made things interesting.  With the game on the line and shaky closer Drew Storen on the mound David Wright hit a gap shot that rookie Michael Taylor had to lay out for to end the game.  Tyler Moore got the scoring started with a 2 run shot off Bart Colon in the bottom of the 2nd.  Taylor also contributed with the bat by lining a 2 run shot in the 7th, which turned out to be the Nats margin for victory.  Taylor's performance had fans saying "Denard Span, who ?".
FINAL SCORE:  Nats 5, Mets 3

4/8/2015
deGrom vs Zimmermann

A tight game between 2014 NL ROY Jacob deGrom and Justin Zimmerman until the 6th when the Met pen imploded and Carlos Torres gave up 3 runs, Buddy Carlyle gave up 2 and Gilmartin yielded 1.  The ever so hot Michael Taylor had himself another banner day (4 hits and 3 RBI's) and Tyler Moore (4-4) was perfect at the plate.  Zimm (6.1 IP / 1 ER) got the win.  Washington banged out 8 runs on 15 hits.  Who needs Span and Rendon when you have these super subs ?
FINAL SCORE:  Nats 8, Mets 2

4/9/205
Harvey vs Strasburg

Neither phenom had his "A" game today.  Harvey (4 IP / 4 ER) struggled with his control (3 walks / 3 k's) and couldn't get past the half way point.  After the Mets jumped out to a 1-0 lead Washington answered back with a pair of deuces in the first 2 innings to go up 4-1.  An RBI double by Ryan Zimmerman and a single by Ian Desmond got the ball rolling.  A two run single by Rendon's replacement, Yunel Escobar made it 4-1.  Replacement Dan Uggla, trying to resurrect his career, doubled home Zim in the 5th to make it 5-1.  New York made it interesting with solo runs in the 6th and 7th off of a wild pitch and a David Wright (4-5) RBI single.  Drew Storen came on for the save and got the Grandy-man to line out to Harper in right, but then gave up a single to Wright.  Duda hit a one hop bullet to Zimmerman, who turned a clean 3-6-3 DP to end the game and give the sweep to the Nats.  Strasburg (6.2 IP / 3 ER) fanned 7 and got the win.
FINAL SCORE:  Nats 5, Mets 3

Cards cap Cubbies as Lester gets shelled in debut

Cardinals take both games from the Cubbies.  New Chicago Ace (Jon Lester) gets smoked in the home opener 11-2.  Old Cardinal Ace Adam Wainright was brilliant in that game fanning 10 and giving up just 2 runs in seven and a third.  Jon Jay went 4-5 in the series finale as the Cards held on barely to win 5-4.

--submitted by Erik Nelson---

OPENING DAY - Phightin's take 2 of 3 from Bosox

 

OPENING DAY 4/6/2015
Citizens Bank Ballpark
Buchholz vs Hamels

A 2 hour plus rain delay in the 3rd inning ruined opening day for a near sellout crowd in South Philly.  Because of that delay both starters made early exits and never returned to action.  Boston's pen turned out to be stronger than Philly's pen.  J.Gomez gave up 4 runs in the top of the 6th and the Bosox never looked back.  The gritty Dustin Pedroia went 5 for 5 with 2 runs scored and 2 runs knocked in.  Key FA signee Pablo Sandoval (3-5) didn't disappoint.  Steven Wright, who gave up just 1 unearned run in 3 innings got the win.  Hamels took the loss, because he left the game with the Phils down 2-1.  On a side note the only 2 homers hit today were in a losing effort.  Sizemore hit one off Buchholz in the 2nd with no one on and Ruiz hit one off Ogando in the 8th with the same scenario.
FINAL SCORE:  Red Sox 7, Phillies 3

4/8/2015
Porcello vs Harang

A downright balmy night (67 degrees) in South Philly, very uncharacteristic for early April, yielded a fine pitcher's duel. Couple that with the cool 1:48 that it took to play the game and the fact that the Phightin's won...meant everyone went home happy.  Journeyman starter Aaron Harang (7 IP / o ER) was brilliant striking out 5 and not walking a single batter.  Diekman held Boston scoreless in the 8th and former Red Sox Jonathon Papelbon was perfect in the 9th to get the save.  All of the scoring occurred in the bottom of the 3rd when Chooch Ruiz hit a 2 run shot.  Boston outhit the Phightin's 6-4, but you win on runs not on hits.
FINAL SCORE:  Phillies 2, Red Sox 0

4/9/2015
Masterson vs Buchanan

Another unseasonably warm night in Philly (62 degrees) yielded another fine result for the home team.  The Phightin's jumped out to a 4-0 lead when Darin Ruf blasted a grand slam off of Masterson.  Boston nibbled their way back with 2 in the 3rd via a 2 run Panda blast and one in the 6th.  The Phightin's broke it open with 3 in the bottom of the 8th.  Grady Sizemore's pinch hit 2 run double was the key stroke.  Papelbon pitched the 9th in a non save situation because he was already up in the pen before the 3 spot was posted.  Philly takes the final 2 of this opening 3 game set.

FINAL SCORE:  Phillies 7, Red Sox 3

 

MANAGED BY:  Marvin Sik (PHI)

President Obama Throws out the First Pitch at the Nationals Season Opener

Mr. President, the pitch is yours...

Here's wishing everyone a great 2015 Projection Disk season.  This is our first attempt at it.  No doubt there will be bumps in the road and growing pains as we embark and a year long journey !  Good luck to all !!!