Washington Nationals Rapid Reaction: Ian Desmond Shines In Nats’ Loss To Marlins
By Ricky Keeler
Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Roark Runs Into 5th Inning Trouble
It’s been a rough season for Roark as he has alternated back-and-forth between being a starter and being in the bullpen. While he showed great improvement through the first four innings, other than the Prado home run, it was the fifth inning that got the best of him last night.
Heading into the top of the fifth, Roark was at 56 pitches and was coming off an eight pitch fourth inning. Miguel Rojas led off the inning with a double and eventually scored after a Cosart sacrifice bunt and a Dee Gordon sacrifice fly.
With Miami leading 3-2, Christian Yelich and Prado extended the inning with back-to-back singles. Then, Justin Bour took a 2-2 fastball and crushed it to right field for a three run homer. Bour has hit four home runs and driven in 11 runs this season against Washington.
As for Roark, he did finish the fifth inning, but he gave up six runs on eight hits, struck out four batters, and walked two on 80 pitches (54 strikes). This year, the problem for Roark has been the fifth inning. During that inning, his ERA is 8.03. The only pitcher who has a higher ERA in that particular inning this season on the Nats is Joe Ross (8.10). Plus, his 14 home runs allowed are tied with Doug Fister for the third most on the team.
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