Washington Nationals Rapid Reaction: Should Doug Fister’s Rotation Spot Be In Jeopardy?
Aug 3, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks shortstop Nick Ahmed (13) scores a run against the Washington Nationals during the fifth inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
The Washington Nationals began a seven game homestand last night and were looking to get the offense back on track. In their prior series against the New York Mets, they only scored five runs en route to being swept. Last night, they went up against a rookie in Zack Godley, but they were not able to figure him out.
Godley threw six scoreless innings and the Diamondbacks brought the power to Nats Park. Arizona scored five of their six runs via the long ball as they defeated the Nationals, 6-4. Doug Fister, who was showing good progress after a strong start against the Marlins, was not able to get the ball down and that led to giving up home runs on a hot and humid night.
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While the lineup did eventually make it interesting by scoring four runs in the bottom of the ninth, their rally fell short when Jayson Werth grounded out to closer Brad Ziegler and Yunel Escobar flew out to left to end it. Werth got a day off from the starting lineup last night as Clint Robinson took his place out in left field. Robinson went 1-for-3 with a walk in the loss.
Due to the Mets defeating the Marlins 12-1 at Marlins Park last night, the Nationals now find themselves looking up in the NL East as they trail New York by one game after losing four games in a row. The players who have returned have been off to slow starts. How long will it take for this offense to get into rhythm and cause less pressure to be put on the starting rotation to be perfect?
Before Max Scherzer takes on Patrick Corbin tonight (7:05 PM ET, MASN), check out my takeaways from last night’s 6-4 Nats loss:
Next: Fister's Rotation Spot In Danger?
Aug 3, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals starting pitcher Doug Fister (33) reacts after giving up a solo home run to Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Welington Castillo (left) during the fourth inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Should Doug Fister’s Rotation Spot Be In Jeopardy?
In the final year of his deal, Doug Fister has had a horrible season. So far, in 86 innings this year, he has given up a total of 44 runs. Those 44 runs were the same number of runs he gave up in 164 innings last season.
After giving up two runs on four hits in six innings of work against the Marlins on July 29, Fister fell victim to the long ball last night. It started in the third inning when Nick Ahmed (who went 4-for-4 last night) hit a 3-1 fastball over the wall in left center for a solo home run to put Arizona on the board.
Just like Jordan Zimmermann Sunday night at Citi Field, Fister was the latest pitcher to give up back-to-back home runs. David Peralta’s two run homer over the glove of Michael Taylor in center and Welington Castillo’s solo shot to left in the fourth quickly put Arizona ahead 4-0.
Despite giving up the five runs over six innings, Fister did not walk a single batter, had six strikeouts (which ties a season-high), and threw 111 pitches (72 strikes). However, the 31-year-old right-hander has been bad since the All-Star Break. In four starts, he is 1-3 with a 6.14 ERA and opponents are hitting .337 against him.
With Fister’s recent struggles, the Nationals might have a tough decision coming up. With Stephen Strasburg getting closer to returning and Joe Ross pitching well in his second stint with the big league club, do the Nats put Fister in the bullpen, even though he does the same things as a Tanner Roark?
It doesn’t look like the Nationals will do that, but with every game being so crucial down the stretch, Fister can’t keep going out there and giving up home runs in bunches.
Next: Nats Miss Scoring Chance In 4th
Aug 3, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Zack Godley (52) throws to the Washington Nationals during the first inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Nats Offense Misses Opportunity Against Godley
The Nationals’ offense was going up against a rookie in right-hander Zack Godley last night. After facing Matt Harvey, Jacob deGrom, and Noah Syndergaard over the weekend, most people thought the Nationals could break out of their slump they had been in. However, that slump continued.
The 25-year-old right-hander, who was making his third start of the season, went six innings, gave up no runs on three hits, struck out six, and walked two on 83 pitches (48 strikes). He threw 13 first pitch strikes to the 23 batters that he faced.
Washington did not have a hit for the first three innings, but they were able to give Godley a scare in the fourth. Yunel Escobar began the inning with a single. After an Anthony Rendon lineout, Bryce Harper drew a walk.
Later in the inning, the Nats had the bases loaded and two outs after a Clint Robinson walk and Ian Desmond at the plate. Desmond did a good job to get the count to 3-1, but the shortstop grounded out to short to end the inning and Washington came away with nothing.
The last hit that the team would get in the fifth inning when Michael Taylor singled to left with one out. Godley did pitch well, but the Nats were not able to make the necessary against Godley’s cutter and sinker to be successful. If you look at Godley’s cutter specifically, he threw 35 of them last night, with 20 of them going for strikes (according to Brooks Baseball).
Next: Offense Has Late Surge In 9th
Aug 3, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals left fielder Michael Taylor (3) hits a two RBI double against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the ninth inning at Nationals Park. The Arizona Diamondbacks won 6 – 4. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Will 9th Inning Rally Spark Nats’ Offense Going Forward?
For eight innings, the Nats’ offense could not muster anything against Godley and Addison Reed. They went into the ninth inning trailing 6-0 after Jonathan Papelbon gave up a solo home run to Jake Lamb.
Facing Daniel Hudson with one out in the top of the ninth, Ryan Zimmerman crushed a solo shot over the left field wall for his seventh of the season. The Nationals got one run on the board to avoid their seventh shutout of the season, but the runs kept coming.
After back-to-back singles by Clint Robinson and Ian Desmond, Wilson Ramos picked up a RBI single up the middle to cut the lead to 6-2. Ramos has been in a major slump as he hit only .149 in the month of July.
Then, Michael Taylor ripped a double down the left field line to cut the deficit in half. This made Chip Hale have to use his closer, Brad Ziegler, on a night that he was not expecting to make that decision.
While Jayson Werth and Yunel Escobar were unable to get the job done, this should not change the fact that the Nats can at least go into tomorrow’s game with a little bit of confidence. The bright side is they scored one less run last night than they did in 30 innings over the weekend.
The offense could still use a spark there and that sparkplug might just be getting Danny Espinosa back in the lineup. Espinosa has not started in a game since July 26 against the Pirates. While that might mean sitting Ian Desmond or giving Anthony Rendon a night off, it could still provide the Nats offense with a spark they desperately need right now.