Notes On Two Days from Spring Training

We spent the last two days with the Nats at Spring Training. We pulled into the stadium Thursday in Viera just in time to hear John Patterson was released. Shock was the word of the day. Tim Redding was signing autographs outside the park and when we asked him about it, he simply said "Everyone was shocked." He had a couple of decent outings, but just got hammered against the Orioles, and his velocity just wasn't where it needed to be.

Thursday's game against Houston was cold and very windy. Odalis Perez pitched pretty terrific, with six Ks in six innings. You can see my game story about the Nats and the Astros at DC Sports Box.

Friday was saw the Nats play at the New York Mets in Port St. Lucie. Again, good starting pitching from Matt Chico, who looks like a completely different pitcher with his new high leg kick. The bullpen got lit up though, and the Nats fell 8-2. Again, the game story is over on DC Sports Box. David Wright was in mid-season form, going 4-4 with a homer.

And I have to say, Felipe Lopez just looks terrible, both at the plate and in the field. His error int he Mets game was terrible. It was a routine ground ball and he simply overthrew Dmitri Young at first. He wasn't rushed at all. Just terrible.

Anyway, here are some photos from out first two days. Enjoy!

Tim Redding signing outside the stadium on Thursday.

Line-ups for Thursday game against Houston.

Nats' Opening Day Starter Odalis Perez.

Ryan Zimmerman rounding third after two-run home run.

National Anthem from Tradition Field in Port St. Lucie.

Paul LoDuca singles in his first competitive at bat for the Washington Nationals.

Nats' Starter Matt Chico delivered 4.1 scoreless innings against the Mets.

Nats' outfielder Elijah Dukes leads off third against the Mets.

David Wright went 4-for-4, including this two-run home run.

Our friends Katie and Danielle told GM Jim Bowden exactly how they felt.

Just another beautiful day in Florida, unfortunately the Nats lost.

Photos (c) Cheryl Nichols 2008.