The Shark is really good...

Ok, tonight's 10-9 loss to the Cubs was down right crazy.  At one point (bottom of the 5th inning) the Nationals held an 8-0 lead over the Chicago Cubs... Then for whatever reason, (I blame everyone who dislikes the Shark nickname), the Nationals let it all slip away, giving up 6 runs in the 6th, 2 in the 7th, and 1 in each of the last two innings.  Livan Hernandez gave up 6 runs in his last 2/3 innings pitched, then Coffey, Burnett, and H-Rod let the game get out of hand.

The Shark did his best to help the Nats win.  He ended the game 3 for 6 with 2 runs, 1 RBI and a SB.  The Nationals scored 7 runs in the 3rd, thanks especially to Bernadina's TWO HITS IN ONE INNING.  The Shark's incredible catches are going to earn him a Gold Glove this year, because he made ANOTHER incredible diving catch in left field today.  His average is now up to .267 and he has 13 SB on the year.  Only Ian Desmond has more stolen bases than the Shark (and Daddy Desmond hasn't stolen one since June 18th).  The Shark didn't want to lose this game.  Tonight was an anomaly.  I don't expect this kind of Pre-Shark Nationals collapse to become a trend.

Be sure to watch the replay of the Shark's jawsome diving catch and keep an eye on the crowd's reactions.  In the below picture, I have circled who you should look out for!

Fan's react to Bernadina's diving catch.

Speaking of Replays:
I mentioned a couple of days ago that they dropped the Shark nickname on ESPN's Baseball Tonight.  Well, thanks to Super Shark fan Sherry, we now have videographic (is that a word?) proof of this!  Sadly, the nickname wasn't used when he made an awesome sliding catch in the same game, but we'll take it, nonetheless...

Fun Facts:

1. The Shark has scored at least one run in 7 out of the last 8 games.
2. The Shark has made a MLB Top Play catch in 4 out of the last 5 games.
3. On my late night Metro ride home from work, two people (one was a Washington Nationals usher) instantly recognized Bernadina when I simply asked them, "How did the Shark do tonight?"  They agreed that the Shark had a good night.

I know this post is relatively short, compared to the impressiveness of the Shark's game tonight, but I am tired from working for 13 hours today.  I will try to add some more interesting things tomorrow...

Speaking of Tomorrow:
The Nationals kick off a series with the Colorado Rockies for the final series before the All-Star Break. The day before and the day after the All-Star Break are my least favorite days of the year (ask Tyler if you don't believe me).  The Shark is streaking, so at least this weekend should be good (Tyler and a HUGE group of Shark fans will be at Sunday's game).  Wondering how the Shark can take out an entire mountain range.  You will find out tomorrow.

More to come.

Report from NYC Shark Fan: SHARKS FEAST ON CUBS

New York City's less-cool, but still Shark-themed thing, The Shark Speedboat.
Greetings, Shark fans, from New York City! Yes, there ARE Nationals fans here (though I am definitely the biggest), and the Shark's fearsome skills are known even out in my hostile NL East land of Queens. As a native of Fairfax, I long dreamed of a DC team to call my own, and, despite living in the land of Reyes and Jeter, gladly follow the Nats/Sharks all season long.

To tonight's game...

The Nationals continued their string of one-run wins tonight with an exciting 5-4 defeat over the visiting Chicago Cubs. The Nats offense started, not surprisingly, with an infield single by the Shark in the 1st inning, after which he promptly stole second base (inspiring literalist Bill Ladson, @washingnats, to continue to rev up the Speed Racer nickname... sigh). Knowing, however, that Roger would soon be constantly swimming to the warning track to devour flyballs in center for the first three innings, Danny "The Kangaroo" Espinosa decided to give the Shark's legs fins a break and knock one out to the right field bullpen. Good looking out, Espi! The Cubs answered right back, though, with a homer from Carlos Peña in the 2nd.

The Shark's following two at-bats were quiet (though after his second straight K, @Nationals tweeted this - awwwww!), but Fearless Leader Ryan Zimmerman blasted a 2-run homer in the bottom of the 5th following a walk to Espi to regain the lead 4-2. (BTW, Sharkadina, why no Shark-tastic nickname for Zimm??). Zimm had a day, going 3-for-4 with a homer and 2 doubles on three swings that MASN commentator FP Santangelo nearly cried over - they were that beautiful. The pesky Cubs answered back again with another 2-run jack, this time from Aramis Ramierz.

This would be all for Gorzelanny (and for homers) as Mattheus came on in the 7th. All-Star candidate Mako Morse came back strong after sitting out due to a bruised thumb, going 2-for-4, including a double to lead off the bottom of the 7th. Jayson Werth continued his struggles at the plate, but ended his 0-for-3 night with a hard-hit deep flyball to right to advance Morse to third. With Wilson Ramos up at the plate, Morse breaks for home not once, but TWICE. Seemingly a missed sign, Ramos was swinging away early in the count and luckily hit one foul as Mako barreled down towards home. Two pitches later, both players executed the squeeze perfectly, and the Nats went up 5-4 in the bottom of the 7th. Now that is #BEASTMODE.

Tom Gorzelanny played admirably, despite earning a no-decision, picking up his first hit of the year and giving up 4 earned runs on 7 hits in 6 innings pitched. Gorzy also got the crowd up and cheering as he fouled off five straight speedballs with the bases loaded in the bottom of the 5th before striking out. The Nats bullpen was lights out, with Mattheus picking up the win, Rodriguez with the hold, and @DrewStoren with his 22nd save on the year.

The Shark ended the day a solid 2-for-5 with two infield hits, a run scored, and a stolen base. Following his bunt single in the 8th, his blazing speed so frightened Cubs pitcher John Grabow (who was trying to do to the Shark what Gorzelanny did to former Nat Alfonso Soriano in the 4th) that he balked on a pickoff move to first, conceding second base to the superior Bernadina. The Shark also recorded the last out of the game in left field, having moved in a double switch that brought in RicK AnKiel.
The Nats are now 2 games over .500 and only 7 games back on the Wild Card. They take to Nats Park tomorrow evening to go for a sweep of the Cubs to once-and-for-all settle every middle schooler's main zoological argument which animal is more kicka**: sharks or bears.
Answer: SHARKS (sorry, Dwight Schrute)


DON'T FORGET TO VOTE MORSE! You can vote as many times as you can until 4pm tomorrow! Not only does he deserve it (was slighted not to have been on the original roster, IMHO), but getting Morse to the All-Star game would show everyone how awesome Nats fans are!

And while we're at it, let's all (mentally) give Jayson Werth a hug...

Thanks, @Sharkadina and @tyinDC for the chance to come write up a game on your awesome blog! I am hoping to be in town for when the Shark takes on his aquatic nemesis, @LoMoMarlins on July 26th and will definitely be at most of, if not all, four games of the Nats September series at CitiField (for why, see here) when they will be in a playoff race. Until then, Shark fans, keep the energy alive at Nats Park as I will continue to fight for the cause up north!

More to come.

ESPN SHARK

The Nationals again won a 1 run game last night, beating the Chicago Cubs 3-2.  Very recent call-up, Ross Detwiler, pitched well and the bullpen shut down the Cubbies to seal the win.  While the Nats pounded out 10 hits, it was an error in the first inning that opened the door to the Nationals victory.   Scared sh**kless of playing against the Shark, Cubs 2B Jeff Baker threw wildly with the bases loaded, allowing the Shark and the Kangaroo to score.  He was then pulled from the game, after wetting his pants from looking into the Shark's eyes.  Jeff Baker was later asked by a psychiatrist to draw what was bothering him.  Somehow, I got a hold on the drawing...

The Shark hit the ball hard 4 times, but had only one hit to show for it.  He squared up and laced line drive after line drive, but the Cubs were lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time (trust me, it was luck, and not good planning).  The Shark also made a sweet sliding catch in the top of the first. 

Shark on Baseball Tonight

Apparently, it was an awesome enough catch to make it on ESPN's Baseball Tonight and APPARENTLY, the host, Steve Berthiaume called him the Shark on it.  I need to see/hear/verify this so if you happened to record Baseball Tonight last night (July 5th), please send me a video clip if possible (phones can do so much these days!).

Speaking of ESPN:

"The Catch" is up for an ESPY, which is better than an Oscar.  The ESPY's are set up in a bracket, so VOTE SHARK, so he can make it through the first round and devour the competition all the way through the top.  Don't forget to also VOTE MAKO.  That way we can get Sharks to rule the baseball world once again (Cue Jurassic Park clip of "When Dinosaurs Ruled the Earth" banner falling after T-Rex wrecking welcome center. Then edit it to say "Shark" in place of "Dinosaurs")

Free Shark Fin Hat:

If you eat at California Tortilla on Thursday, July 28th and order a fish taco, the company will give you a FREE Discovery Channel Shark Fin Hat!  Looking for something to wear to Nats games in August?  Thank you to everyone who pointed this out to us!  I know Tyler and I will be making the investment.  Support the Shark!  We will remind people as it gets closer!

Guest Sharkadina:

The Shark led Nats continue their series against the Cubbies tonight, and we are very pleased to welcome Annie Dell'Aria to the Sharkadina family!  Annie will be posting tonight after the game, which will likely be a great change of pace from the sh**k Tyler and I post!  Thanks Annie!  I am definitely looking forward to reading the post tonight!

More to come.

Shark hunts finners, Vote Mako

Back and forth games have seem to become the Nationals favorite types of games.  The Nationals had the lead, lost the lead, tied the game, then won the game in the 10th.  The Great Werth came up big in extra innings, stealing a base, then coming around to score on a wild pitch to seal the victory.  The Mako-less Nationals used timely hitting, and stay-in-the-ballgame pitching to stay within striking distance.

The Shark went 0-5 but scored the first run of the game, after he reached base on an error.  I'm not sure how many errors Bernadina has forced on the field, but first basemen (in this case Carlos Pena) need to start realizing there is a Shark on the other team, and give up.  There was some defensive confusion between Jayson Werth and the Shark which led to the Cubs taking the lead in the 4th.  A texas-leaguer dropped between the two outfielders and no one seemed to have a bead on the ball.  Communication between two different types of sharks is always difficult.

The Shark's quiet game is the result of a new mission he has set for himself.  Tired of the slow process in worldwide governments to enforce the banned act of shark finning, Bernadina has taken it upon himself to stop the process.  Immediately after games, the Shark circumnavigates the globe and hunts down there finners.  Despite the Shark's speed, the process is slow going and physically exhausting.  It is, however, a noble cause to protect his brethren.  When the finning problem is eliminated, the Shark will again have peace of mind, and can return focus to baseball.  Bear with him until then.

All Star Shark:
Mako Morse is a Final Vote candidate for the All Star Game.  Vote early and often so we can get at least one Shark in the All-Star Game!!  It only takes a minute!

The Shark returns to action tonight, leading off against the Cubs.  Revenge and the Shark go hand in hand so be prepared for a Sharkfest tonight!

More to come.

SHARK VS CUBS

The Shark was the lone bright spot during last nights 10-2 shellacking by the Pirates.  That and the sun.  The Pirates jumped all over Nats starter Jason Marquis, as he allowed 7 runs (6 earned) in 1.1 innings and the Nats couldn't recover.  The Shark went 2 for 5 with a double to creep his batting average back up to .264 (his OBP is still a healthy .326) and had a JAWSOME CATCH to rob Andrew McCutchen.  Bernadina also had a nice pregame interview with Johnny Holliday about the Shark cementing himself in the leadoff spot.  No mention of the Shark nickname, unfortunately (you gotta use it in an interview sometime, Roger!), but the interview definitely worth watching it, nonetheless.

The Chicago Cubs are next for the Nationals and the Shark.  A 1PM Fourth of July matinee kicks off the four game series.  Sharks have been known to attack Cubs when they infringe on their territory (which is exactly what will happen).  If the Shark were playing the Chicago Bears, there might be something to worry about...  Since it is the Cubs, the Shark is going to ride the wave to a delicious meal...

Bernadina respectfully feeds his family first...

More to come.

Double the Shark, Double the Fun

The Pirates and the Nationals played two yesterday and they figured that it would be nice if they both had a chance to win.  Personally, I would have rather seen the Nationals win both of them, but hey, that's just me.

In the first game, the Nationals were down for the first 6 innings until RicK AnKiel homered (nope, he didn't strike out...) to tie the game 2-2 in the 7th.  Sean Burnett and the bullpen unraveled again in the last two innings to lose the game 5-3.  The Shark ended the game 0 for 3, but still managed to get on base twice, with 2 walks and scored a run.  The best chance for the Nationals came in the 5th, when the Shark's hustle (he beat out an easy force out situation on a Werth grounder) led to a bases loaded, one out situation.  Unfortunately, both Zim and Nix spoiled any rally opportunities.  The game did have to be put on hold after the Pirates' Andrew McCutchen homered in the 8th inning....

The Shark warns McCutchen about hitting home runs at Nats Park

The second game went more in the Nationals favor.  Again the game was tied at 2 until the Pirates took the lead in the 7th.  The Nats rallied back in the 8th and beat the Pirates 4-3. One of Tyler's recent favorites, Ryan Mattheus got the win and Drew Storen saved his 20th game of the season.  The Shark again went 0 for 3, with two walks, and a run, the exact same line as Game 1. @AlyssaLowry1 took a great picture of a Shark fan (name?) and the Shark.  I know the Shark cheers/chants/fins/shirts help Bernadina thrive...

While the Shark ended the day 0-6, he still had a .400 OBP with 2 runs scored.  That is an impressive feat.  The Shark is the best leadoff hitter on the team and I hope he stays in the spot.  The Nationals wrap up the Pirates series today and the Shark is still hungry for more.

More to come.

VOTE SHARK

I know that we've already had a Vote for Shark post about getting the Shark the All Star Game, but this one is just as important, if not more.

Bill Ladson, that one guy who won't give up on the whole Speed Racer nickname, is back at it again....  This time, however, Bernadina fans have the opportunity to show their support (even though the Washington Post article pretty much made official).

If you have 30 seconds, please click the link below and Vote Shark.
Which is the better nickname for Nationals outfielder Roger Bernadina?

As of noon, "The Shark" has 92% of the votes (173 out of 188 total).  Let's make Bill Ladson embarrassed he ever brought up "Speed Racer" (which has 4% of the vote: all from Ladson and his family).

I don't usually reuse pictures in the blog, but I think this one is appropriate...

More to come.

SHARK SNACKS

You may think this post is about delicious shark shaped fruit snacks (which was half of the way to cope with a Nats loss).  For those who were thinking, and perhaps hoping that, I'm sorry but I have to disappoint you because instead of fruits snacking....

It was the Shark who snacked!  On the Pittsburgh Pirates!  As predicted!

In the first game of a 4-game, 3-day series against the Pirates, the Nationals walked off winners 2-1.  Tom Gorzolanny pitched brilliantly, giving up just 1 unearned run to keep the Nats in it until Matt Stairs (yes, really Matt Stairs) could win it in the 9th.  While Stairs got a lot of credit for the win, it was the Shark who held the team together.

Bernadina has settled into the leadoff spot regularly since Riggleman's exit and Johnson's debut and today's game proved why he's earned it. He led off the game with a single, but was stranded at third after a Ryan Zimmerman double play.  Bernadina decided to take control of the game at that point, hitting a home run in the sixth inning (and Charlie Slowes aptly called him the Shark again) to tie the game at 1.  Then, in the 8th, with Ankiel on first and the game still tied, the Shark laid down a beautiful bunt, and beat the throw to first.  While it was ruled a sac bunt and and error, replays showed him beating the throw (Fastest Shark Alive). Shark wanted to start a rally, but then The Great Werth, Zim, and the Loch Nix Monster each struck out.  Bernadina ended the game 2-3 which leads me to believe that the Shark thrives in his home waters

Unfortunately, neither Tyler or I (Terry) could make it to the game. Even without us, it was really good to hear about all the Shark support (perhaps the Washington Post article won over some fans...)! @3NatsFans were at the the park, and translated their Shark cheers into dutch "haai = shark."  Also, our favorite photographer Cheryl Nichols (who I will say again, takes the best pictures), reported hearing "so many "Shark" chants" and snapped this great picture of fans doing the fin gesture:

Spreading the Shark Love

There was a more Shark love after Matt Stairs' walk off single.  @JWerthsBeard pointed this out: Drew Storen (far right) is clearly doing the Shark Chomp as he leaps into the celebrations.  Way to go, Storen!

It was a good win for the Nationals and a great game for the Shark.  The Sharkdown continues this weekend, starting with today's double header...  Expect the Shark to continue snacking....

More to come.