3/20/06 He Knows It's Spring Training But Don't Ask Frank Not to Care

Well, it's beginning to feel like baseball despite the 40 degree weather here in the greater Tri-State area. It's Sunday afternoon, and the Yankees are battling the Tribe, the Mets and the Marlins are facing off, and the Nationals and Dodgers are on the field in Florida.
Billy Traber, on the mound, is taking a pounding, well sort of. Two bloop hits, 2 errors, and 6 runs in the first three innings on 6 hits. Traber is a tall lefty at 6'5'' and 205 lbs, who has a looping curve and some snap on the fastball. Traber was a highly regarded prospect when he joined the Majors, but a torn ligament, and Tommy John surgery set back his development. The Nationals are hoping he returns to form and can find a spot at the end of the rotation.
An outfield today of Ryan Church, Marlon Byrd and Michael Tucker left to right, with Ryan Zimmerman, Royce Clayton, Damian Jackson and Daryle Ward around the infield, and Matt LeCroy behind the plate catching Traber.

By the third inning Nationals Manager Frank Robinson had become fed up with something and decided to have a talk with the homeplate umpire, the Dodgers broadcast had the mics a little too close and the profanity was flying, the Nationals first base coach Davey Lopes joined in and he and Robinson were soon walking down the right field line, ejected from a Spring Training game.

Still no word on Alfonso Soriano. Luis Ayala is officially done for the season. Jose Vidro and Nick Johnson are finally healthy. Brian Schneider, Gary Majewski, and Chad Cordero are back unscathed from the WBC. Cristian Guzman is so far trying to avoid shoulder surgery, and Royce Clayton is set to start in Guzman's stead if needed.

Eric Gagne was back with scary stuff, but it was Derek Lowe on the mound for the Dodgers who was nearly unhittable, the former Red Sox star was joined by Nomar Garciaparra, and Bill Mueller, who have all made their way out west, and former Braves shortstop Rafael Furcal, as the retooled Dodgers try to get back in the hunt in the up for grabs NL West. Dodgers win 9-1.