Washington Nationals Rapid Reaction: Joe Ross Continues to Amaze; Denard Span Likely Done For The Year
Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
The Washington Nationals may not have gained any ground on the New York Mets on Thursday night, after the Mets staged a comeback against the pathetic Phillies and collected a 13-inning win, but they at least didn’t cede any more ground. They managed to bounce back from a tough loss on Wednesday and took care of their own business, which is really the only part of the equation that’s in their hands.
While the Nationals did win, allowing Jonathan Papelbon to collect a save in the process, the game was far from being a runaway victory. The offense continued to languish through the early half of the game, coming to life just barely in the fifth and adding a couple of insurance runs in the sixth and seventh.
The biggest reason that the Nationals managed to stay in the game until the bats finally stirred was standing on the mound and wearing number 41.
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Joe Ross, the rookie sensation, continued to impress, throwing six strong innings of one-run, one-hit ball before giving way to the bullpen. If it hadn’t been for Ross, the game might have been out of hand before the offense woke up. Instead, the Nats managed to walk away victorious from a fairly low-scoring affair.
Yet, like with most Nationals wins of late, this one came at a cost. Once again, the injury bug took a bite out of the Nationals. This time it was Yunel Escobar and Michael Taylor, who left the game in the fifth and seventh innings respectively. While they aren’t expected to miss any major time, the team got worse news regarding one of its players who had just returned from the disabled list.
Denard Span, it was announced after the game, would be heading back to the disabled list after suffering another setback. After just two games back in the lineup, it appears that Span’s season is done, and perhaps even his time in Washington. It’s another injury bug casualty, and this one looks to be serious.
So, while the Nationals walked away with a win, there was still some bad news, and we’ll take a look at both.
Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Joe Ross Continues to be “Hidden Gem”
The biggest name in the three team trade in the offseason for the Nationals, and the name that’s generated the most buzz, has been Trea Turner. Turner is one of the top prospects in baseball, and with Ian Desmond set to leave via free agency following the end of the 2015 season, Turner stands to be a key piece of the Nationals future.
But for right now, the piece of the trade that’s made the biggest contribution has been the pitcher, Joe Ross.
In his first ten major league starts, Ross has a .500 record, but the truth is he’s actually pitched better than his win-loss numbers. After last night’s game, he’s got an ERA of 3.24, with a WHIP just barely above one, and a K/9 ratio of close to 9. The only reason his record doesn’t really reflect those numbers is due to his run support, which has averaged just over 3 runs per game.
Entering today, Joe Ross received 3.3 runs of support per game started, the lowest among Nats starters.
— James Wagner (@ByJamesWagner) August 28, 2015
Thursday night was no different. In spite of the fact that Ross was dealing to the Padres, allowing just a single run over six innings with two walks and seven strikeouts, the game was still in doubt. Until the home half of the sixth, the Nats held just a one-run advantage. Only solo shots by Jayson Werth and Ryan Zimmerman gave the Nats a little breathing room.
Joe Ross has continued to prove his worth in the Nationals rotation, adding the arm they needed when Doug Fister collapsed and Tanner Roark was already confined to the bullpen. Now, the team just needs to figure out how to score runs when he’s on the mound. If they do that, who knows what Ross’ limit might be.
Next: Injury Bug Bites Again
Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Injuries Continue to Hit Nationals
The story of the Washington Nationals’ 2015 season has carried a common thread throughout, beginning all the way back before the team had even reported for spring training: injuries. It seems the team can’t escape them. Even now, just as the disabled list is starting to clear, lightning strikes again, and the Nationals once again find themselves with men down.
Thursday’s victory, while certainly a positive, did not come without its casualties. Yunel Escobar was the first to make an early exit. For what seemed like the 100th this year, an inside pitch ran up on him, striking him on the hand. While he walked to first base and stayed in for the home half of the frame, when the defense took the field again, Escobar was nowhere to be found. Instead, it was Anthony Rendon at third and Danny Espinosa at second.
Michael Taylor was the next to go down. Chasing after a long fly in the seventh, he ran into the fence at full force, tearing a hole in the padding and tearing his knee up. After a meeting with trainers, with Werth and Harper standing nearby, Taylor walked off under his own power, and the Nats played defensive musical chairs once more.
The good news is that, according to the early reports, both injuries are minor, just mere contusions. They’ll be day-to-day, unlikely to miss any major time.
But while the Nats seemed to have skirted disaster, it just goes to underscore how badly things have broken for them (no pun intended) this season. And making matters worse is the issue with Denard Span. After playing in just two games since his return from the disabled list, it appears that Span’s season (and likely his time in DC) is at an end:
Denard Span is headed to the DL with left hip inflammation, related to core and back, per MW. Corresponding move coming tomorrow.
— James Wagner (@ByJamesWagner) August 28, 2015
It’s a shame, but it seems that age has finally caught up to Span. His old man strength wasn’t enough to overcome his old man body, and the man who’s been the table-setter for the Nationals offense, especially since the second half of last season, has likely played his last game in a Nationals uniform. The writing on the wall has grown to a size that it can’t be ignored; Matt Williams himself said that it’s hard to see Span coming back from this injury.
So while the Nationals may have just missed the sort of disastrous injuries that would have put their postseason hopes on life-support, the tale of injuries never seems to stray too far from the team.
Next: Nats Take Series Over Padres With Tonight's 4-2 Win