Taylor Made for Nats

April 13 @ Fenway Park
Jordan Zimmerman vs Rick Porcello

Washington wins 3-1
WP: Zimmerman (2-0)
LP: Porcello (0-2)
SV: Storen (4)

HR: Taylor (5)
MVP: Jordan Zimmerman (Win, 8.1 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 9 K)

Michael Taylor continued his hot start for the Nationals with a 3 run homer in the 5th of Porcello.  It was all the scoring Washington would get and all that they would need as Jordan Zimmerman held the Boston bats in check throughout.  Zimmerman took a shutout into the 9th, but a double by David Ortiz and an RBI single by Pablo Sandoval made it a 3-1 game and that was the end of the night for Zimmerman.  Drew Storen came in from the pen and hit Daniel Nava with a pitch to put bring the winning run to the plate with 1 out.  But he got Shane Victorino to ground into the 4-6-3 double play to end the game and save the win for Zimmerman.

 

April 14 @ Fenway Park
Stephen Strasburg vs Justin Masterson

Washington wins 5-3
WP : Strasburg (2-0)
LP: Masterson (0-2)
SV: Storen (5)

HR: Desmond (1)
MVP: Ian Desmond (1-3, 1 HR, 2 Rbi, 1 R, 1 BB)

Another strong start by a National starter as Strasburg goes 5.1 innings, allowing just 1 ER despite allowing 7 hits.  The Red Sox had a brief lead in the bottom of the 5th at 2-1 after scoring 2 off Strasburg thanks to some poor infield play by the Nationals.  But Washington came right back in the top of the 6th and put 3 on the board off starter Masterson.  The key hit in the inning being a 2 out 2 run homer by Ian Desmond.  Washington added an insurance run in the 7th to make it 5-2.  Boston would score a single run in the bottom of the 7th to close the gap to 2 runs.  Then they were able to load the bases off closer Drew Storen in the 9th with 2 outs but Storen settled down to get Pablo Sandoval on a fly ball to medium RF to end the game.

April 15 @ Fenway Park
Gio Gonzalez vs Wade Miley

Boston wins 9-6
WP: Miley (2-0)
LP: Gonzalez (0-2)

HR: Taylor (6), Haroper (3), Victorino (1)
MVP: Shane Victorino (3-4, 1 HR, 2 Rbi, 1 R)

The Red Sox needed a strong start from Wade Miley and he delivered by holding the Nationals to 3 hits and 2 runs over 7 strong innings.  The Sox bats finally put a few hits together and staked Miley to an early 4-0 lead after 2 innings thanks a Sac Fly by Allen Craig and RBI singles by Brock Holt and Mookie Betts.  Boston would extend the lead in the 6th with 4 more runs capped by a Shane Victorino 2 run shot off Gio Gonzalez.  Washington had no quit in them and pieced together a threat in the 9th.  With Robbie Ross JR staked to a 9-1 lead Boston felt little need to warm up the big guns in their bullpen for the 9th.  Four straight hits by Washington, highlighted by a Danny Espinosa 2 run double sent Koji Uehara and Alexei Ogando scrambling to warm up.  After a Ross wild pitch and a Michael Taylor ground out made the score 9-6, Ogando was summoned.  After a ground out for out number 2 of the inning, Ian Desmond smacked a double off the green monster.  With Uehara warmed and ready to go, Ogando was left in the game to face Jayson Werth.  It looked like a bad decision, as Werth drilled a ball to the triangle in center field, but Mookie Betts was up to the challenge and ran it down 407 feet from home plate to end the game.
--submitted by Peter Daly--

Indians Sweep Tigers to Up Win Streak to Six

Cleveland gets its bats and pitching arms working in this series, unlike real life. Zach McAllister

(1-0) gets the start for the home opener, and the lanky righty performs well in front of the sellout crowd and best Detroit's Alfredo Simon (0-1). Carlos Santana goes deep and Michael Brantley knocks in a pair with a single...
Game Two's marquee pitching matchup of David Price and Corey Kluber turns into a surprise slugfest, won 7-5 by Detroit despite two Yoenis Cespedes homers...
In Game three, Detroit's Ian Krol and Joba Chamberlain get lit up for three runs in the bottom of the seventh as the bottom of Cleveland's order (Lonnie Chisenhall and Jose Ramirez) hit key RBI singles in the 4-2 Indians win for the sweep. Santana goes yard again for his third homer.

‘Stros own state bragging rights over Rangers

GAME 1 – Globe Life Park
McHugh vs Holland
Astros 4, Rangers 2

Houston doubled up Texas 4-2.  Jose Altuve (2-4) continued to wield a hot stick (.429).  Jed Lowrie (2-4) supported his All-Star 2B.

GAME 2
Hernandez vs Gallardo
Rangers 3, Astros 0

Yovani Gallardo (8IP / 0 ER) was completely dominant fanning 11 and not walking a batter.  Houston managed just 2 hits against him.  Leonys Martin Hit a solo blast and Adrian Beltre knocked in two in support of Gallardo.  Klein pitched the 9th and notched the save, his first of the season.

GAME 3
Keuchel vs Lewis
Astros 14, Rangers 3

A 7 run second inning chased Colby Lewis (1.2IP / 8R) from the hill.  The Rangers pen wasn't exactly stingy as the Stros put a hurting on the boys from Arlington.  George Springer paced an offense that posted as many points as the Texans usually score.  Springer (4-5) knocked in 5 runs, scored 2 and hit a big fly.  Every Astro starter reached base via the hit as Houston posted 14 runs on 17 hits.

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 !!!