Murray still in the booth to start the eighth, but Strasburg is taken down for a pinch hitter. Dempster still looks good, but Baker gave the Nats an out by misplaying a ground ball into a hit. I really do not like Baker in the field, especially at first base. After striking out Espinosa, Sveum makes his first move and replaces Dempster with Wood. I have to say I agree with this. Dempster at 108 pitches. Zimmerman has hit Dempster hard all day, though I rather mistrust Wood coming in mid-inning. Desmond steals a base on Kerry Wood, who then starts nibbling and walks Zimmerman. Oh-oh, wild pitch. Wood is struggling, walks LaRoche. Maybe it wasn't such a hot idea to replace Dempster after all.
Wood doesn't seem to be able to close the door, gets ahead but can't make an out pitch. I've seen this act before and usually it doesn't end well. Sveum is being pretty rigid here. When Wood is like this, it means trouble. Fortunately, Barney makes a really good play on a grounder up the middle to save the day.
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