Ohlendorf Debuts Where Pitchers Go To Die
By Andrew Flax
The Nationals’ rotation has lined up quite unfortunately with this trip to Coors Field.
June 11, 2013; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado (28) slides into home plate safe against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. The Rockies defeated the Nationals 8-3. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
First, homer-prone Dan Haren was lit up. Now, Ross Ohlendorf must brave the treacherous field, and his 4.27 ERA in Triple A does not bode well. However, as usual, there is a glimmer of hope. Ohlendorf pitched for the Padres last season, and one of his best starts came against the Rockies: 6.2 IP, 5 H, 2 BB, 2 ER, 6 K. However, that came in cavernous Petco Park, which is as different from Coors as it gets. Again, it looks like the Nats’ only hope might be to outslug the Rockies, which they failed to do last night. Unfortunately, Rockies starter Jorge De La Rosa (7-3, 3.38) has been excellent this season, and the Nationals have been hapless against lefties. They are last in baseball in batting average and on-base percentage against left-handers, but now would be as good a time as any to overcome that shortcoming. Here are tonight’s lineups:
Washington
Denard Span CF
Jayson Werth RF
Adam LaRoche 1B
Ian Desmond SS
Ohlendorf RHP
Colorado
Todd Helton 1B
Tyler Colvin RF
De La Rosa LHP