King Cole Reigns unmercifully against the Nationals

Written by Mike Mariano | 18 September 2009

The change-up was out in full force last night and Nationals hitters had little to know answer for it.  Hamels went eight innings, holding a no-no through five(ish) and when the Nats did get their one run off Cole it was a combination of bloops and dinks to scratch one across.  Cole's dominance solely against bad, bad, teams continues, however the change-up he was throwing last night is going to baffle most big league hitters.

I was in the ballpark for the game in section 431, I swear there isn't a bad seat in the house.  The normally drunken upper deck squad was abnormally tame, which is strange since it was Irish night or something similar at the ballpark.  That we call a paradox.  Even from my high seat, the change-up was incredible to watch.  Cole sat around 88-90 with his fastball, but that must have seemed like 96-97 with the bugs-bunny change-ups he had working.  Floating in at 78-82, the change was too tough for the Nats (they are the Nats...).  First pitch, ahead, behind, for the strikeout, it didn't matter, Cole was throwing it all game at any time.  I don't know if he threw more than 5 breaking pitches the entire game.  I was paying attention and I don't recall seeing one.  That only makes the fastball-change-up combo more impressive because you have to know it's coming.  Our ace is slowly finding his way...

Then You-Know-Who came in for the save.  I think I counted 9, "Oh fuck..."'s when Lidge came out for the ninth.  The fans are having some trust issues with Brad right now, but can you blame them?  Hell no.  But Lidge got the job done.  Willingham hit a deep fly out to center.  Then Elijah Dukes tripled to right center, but to be fair, if Victorino hadn't left the game in the seventh that ball probably gets caught.  But the combo of Werth (CF) and Francisco (RF) instead of Shane and Werth was probably the difference in the ball being caught.  Dukes scored on an infield ground out and then Lidge got the final out and the save.  The only problem Lidge had was in the pitch count.  I think every batter saw 5-6 pitches at least.  I don't know if Lidge two back-to-back strikes more than once, when Willingham had a full count and fouled a few pitches off.  Good, not great for Lidge but right now, we'll take that and call it a day.