3/9/07 MLB.tv Comes Through With The First Nationals Spring Training Game or Matt Chico On The Mound.

   A banner day for Edward Chigliak here at DC Daily as we start the morning with our name in print at MLB.com, quoted in MLB.com's Mark Newman's article on the virtues of MLB.tv...(Thanks again, Mark!) and then discover that for the first time this spring, The Washington Nationals game against the Orioles will be available on MLB.tv. Here's the report...

     ...Live on MLB.tv from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and Fort Lauderdale Stadium it’s the Washington Nationals visiting the Baltimore Orioles in Spring Training Baseball. The Nationals Matt Chico on the mound against the the Orioles Jaret Wright.
     Chico was acquired from the Arizona Diamondbacks along with right-handed pitcher Garrett Mock for the Former Mr National Himself Livan Hernandez. According to the MLB.com’s Bill Ladson who also writes in the Sporting News’ Baseball issue, Chico features a “90-92 MPH fastbal, a curve ball and a change.” The twenty-three year old lefty will be making his Major League debut if he does indeed earn a spot in the Nationals starting rotation.
     Matt Chico strikes out Brian Roberts on three straight pitches, as Roberts swings through a nasty change to start the bottom of the first. Chico gives up a two-out run scoring double to Miguel Tejada on a low inside fastball to give the Orioles an early 1-0 lead, but Chico is impressive, not afraid to throw strikes, he gets behind on a few Orioles hitters but escapes through two innings otherwise unharmed.
     Jaret Wright, reunited with his old Braves pitching coach Leo Mazzone, after a few seasons pitching for the Orioles AL East Rival NY Yankees, pitches two scoreless for Baltimore, allowing only a single to Nationals shortstop D’Angelo Jimenez. Wright had his best season, since his debut with Cleveland, when he pitched with Mazzone a few years back in Atlanta, and the Orioles will need him to successful if they have any chance of coming in third in the AL East.
     Chico loads the bases on three straight singles before walking in the second run of the game to give the Orioles a 2-0 lead in the third. Chico then gets Miguel Tejada swinging on an 0-2 breaking ball, before Aubrey Huff singles to drive in two more runs, and end the afternoon for Chico, who leaves the game with the Nationals down 4-0.
      Larry Broadway strikes out looking for his second K of the day in the top of the fifth. Broadway was supposed to be embroiled in a battle with free agent signee Travis Lee for the starting job at first until Nick Johnson returns from his broken leg. Lee, however, has been injured thus far, and Dmitri Young has yet to make an impact this spring, so Broadway might earn the spot by default when the season begins.
     Levale Speigner(Spig-ner) comes on in relief of Matt Chico and holds the Orioles at 4-0 through five. Speigner makes a great play for the first out in the fifth, covering first after a grounder eats up Larry Broadway at first and bounces to second baseman Joe Thurston, who fields and throws to the covering pitcher for the out. Speigner is poised on the mound and with plays like this that show hustle and attention to detail, and what I’ve read and now seen this Spring, Speigner could earn himself a middle relief spot with the big club.
     Ryan Church grounds out to start the sixth. Church, 0 for 3 so far on the day, is also now 2 for 16 so far this Spring. Church looks to be in the best shape of his career, but the offensive numbers have yet to really impress. 
     The Nationals score two runs in the seventh, one on a fielding error, and one when the Orioles pitcher Pual Shuey gets wild on the mound, and has his splitter get away from the catcher, allowing a second run to cross. Shuey also gets injured on the play, and Chad Bradford comes on and closes out the top of the seventh. 4-2 Orioles.
     Right-handed reliever Emiliano Fruto shows off a nice curve and a change, though his fastball is a little wild. Fruto covers first nicely twice on his way to pitching a scoreless seventh inning.
     Kory Casto triples into center to start the eigth inning, as he attempts to earn a spot with the Nationals. Outfielder Chris Snelling comes on to hit, and puts one deep enough to left center to score Casto from third, and make it a 4-3 game after seven and a half.
     Nationals lefty Billy Traber pitches a scoreless bottom of the eigth, and the Nationals come up to bat in the ninth with three more outs to mount a comeback...Danys Baez, the right handed reliever, on the mound for the Orioles...and he closes out the ninth. Orioles win 4-3.