Who has the best beard in the big leagues?
If he doesn’t have the best, Jayson Werth of the Washington Nationals should at least be included in the conversation.
Werth will be looking to rebound from last season’s five-HR, 31-RBI season.
– Rick Green (follow me on Twitter @ETNrgreen)
Nationals 2, Cardinals 1
WASHINGTON — The Washington Nationals signed Jayson Werth to show them how to win. His game-ending homer this evening extended their surprising season.
Werth led off the bottom of the ninth inning by driving Lance Lynn’s 13th pitch into the left-field stands to give the Nationals a 2-1 victory over the defending World Series champion St. Louis Cardinals and force a Game 5 in their NL Division Series.
As he circled the bases, Werth raised his right index finger in a “No. 1” gesture, while the announced crowd of 44,392 roared with delight.
The best-of-five series will end Friday night in Washington, with the winner advancing to face the San Francisco Giants in the NL championship series.
– Associated Press
Cardinals 8, Nationals 0
WASHINGTON — Chris Carpenter was every bit the postseason ace he’s been in the past for the St. Louis Cardinals.
Taking the mound for only the fourth time in 2012, missing a rib after surgery to cure numbness on his right side, the 37-year-old Carpenter pitched scoreless ball into the sixth inning, rookie Pete Kozma delivered a three-run homer, and the defending champion Cardinals beat the Washington Nationals 8-0 this afternoon to take a 2-1 lead in their NL division series.
All in all, quite a damper on the day for a Nationals Park-record 45,017 red-wearing, towel-twirling fans witnessing the first major league postseason game in the nation’s capital in 79 years.
Three relievers finished the shutout for the Cardinals, who can end the best-of-five series in Thursday’s Game 4 at Washington.
– Associated Press
A’s vs. Tigers
How can you stop Justin Verlander, Miguel Cabrera or Prince Fielder?
I’m not sure Oakland can.
The A’s have been on quite a roll, but “Moneyball” doesn’t usually translate into postseason success.
While having Oakland advance would be nice, it’s too hard to ignore the Tigers.
They have the hitting and pitching to win a short series.
The pick: Tigers in five.
Yankees vs. Orioles
In April, not many people would have picked the Orioles to have a winning record.
Here they are in October facing the Yankees in the playoffs after beating the Texas Rangers.
I don’t see them slowing down the Yankees.
The joy ride ends.
The pick: Yankees in four.
Reds vs. Giants
San Francisco emerged from the NL West, but I’m not sold on their rotation after Matt Cain.
The Reds? Yeah, I like everything about them.
They can hit. They can pitch. They have the relievers to shut down the opposition.
They can go a long way, too.
The pick: Reds in four
Nationals vs. Cardinals
Where are you Stephen Strasburg?
The Nationals have their ace shut down for the season, but they still have some live arms remaining.
I know they’re new to the postseason, but they should have enough to beat the Cardinals.
The pick: Nationals in five.
Agree? Disagree? Post them in the comments below.
The Erie SeaWolves released their official 2013 Eastern League schedule before Saturday night’s game against the Altoona Curve at Jerry Uht Park.
Coincidence or not, those teams also will open next season on the same diamond. Erie welcomes the Curve for the first four games of a seven-game homestand, with the opener set for April 4 at 6:35 p.m.
Erie’s full 2013 schedule, with starting times for all games at Uht Park, is listed below.
– Mike Copper
The Bowie Baysox could still clinch an Eastern League postseason berth at the Erie SeaWolves’ expense.
Erie, though, made sure it wasn’t Wednesday night.
The SeaWolves’ 9-4 victory at Prince George’s Stadium not only ended their seven-game losing streak against the Maryland franchise, but left the Baysox’s magic number at one. Bowie had a chance to claim the second playoff berth out of the league’s Western Division.
Erie goes into its last road game of 2012 with an overall record of 57-79, while second-place Bowie is 74-62.
– Mike Copper
An unforgettable game by Tony Plagman wasn’t enough to end a forgettable losing streak for the Erie SeaWolves.
Plagman poked two home runs, just missed a third, and totaled four hits and four RBIs against Harrisburg pitching Sunday afternoon. But the slugger still couldn’t produce enough offense to help the SeaWolves end their seven-game losing streak.
Harrisburg’s 8-6 victory over Erie at Jerry Uht Park reduced the SeaWolves’ playoff elimination number to one. At 53-73, they’re 14½ games behind second-place Bowie for the Eastern League’s Western Division wild-card berth.
– Mike Copper
Starting lineups for Sunday’s Eastern League game between the Harrisburg Senators and the Erie SeaWolves at Jerry Uht Park:
Harrisburg Senators (58-68): 1. Johnny Tucker CF, 2. Sean Nicol 2B, 3. Justin Bloxom LF, 4. Jimmy Van Ostrand DH, 5. Anthony Rendon 3B, 6. Destin Hood RF, 7. Seth Bynum SS, 8. Tim Pahuta 1B, 9. Kris Watts C.
Starting pitcher: Brian Broderick RH (1-0, 4.26 ERA).
Erie SeaWolves (53-72): 1. Niuman Romero SS, 2. Tony Plagman DH, 3. Nick Castellanos RF, 4. Jordan Lennerton 1B, 5. Avisail Garcia CF, 6. Daniel Fields LF, 7. Brandon Douglas 2B, 8. Corey Jones 3B, 9. Luis Sanz C.
Starting pitcher: Jared Wesson (7-8, 5.73 ERA).
– Mike Copper
The Erie SeaWolves were good for ninth-inning drama a second straight Saturday night at Jerry Uht Park
The difference this latest time, though, was they couldn’t convert it into a victory.
A two-out passed ball by Harrisburg catcher Kris Watts left Erie with a run and a potential tying run at third base. However, any chance of extra innings ended when the SeaWolves’ Rawley Bishop grounded out to deep short.
The Senators’ 2-1 victory before 4,393 fans left Erie (53-72) with its sixth consecutive loss. It’s the SeaWolves’ worst stretch since a season-long, eight-game drought from July 21-26.
– Mike Copper
If the Erie SeaWolves miraculously clinch the Eastern League’s Western Division wild-card playoff berth, it will be with a losing record.
Erie was guaranteed a fifth consecutive loss and a third straight losing season thanks to Harrisburg’s 6-1 victory Friday night at Jerry Uht Park. Although not yet officially eliminated from the postseason, the SeaWolves are now 53-71 with 17 games left.
Nick Castellanos’ home run to open the bottom of the fourth inning was the only blemish suffered by the Senators (57-68) and Ryan Perry. The former Detroit Tigers pitcher went the distance on an eight-hitter.
– Mike Copper
