Washington Nationals Reaction: Gio Gonzalez Shows No Rust

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Apr 12, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals relief pitcher Blake Treinen (45) pitches during the ninth inning against the Atlanta Braves at Nationals Park. Washington Nationals defeated Atlanta Braves 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /

Bullpen Able To Pull Late Inning Magic

So far this season, Dusty Baker has done a lot of mixing and matching in the bullpen, but it has paid off. After a scoreless seventh inning by Shawn Kelley, Oliver Perez came in to start the eighth, but walked the first two batters and threw a wild pitch on the first nine pitches before facing Nats’ killer, Freddie Freeman.

But, Perez got the best of Freeman and struck him out with a slider before being taken out for Blake Treinen. Even though Treinen ended up loading the bases, he was able to use his nasty sinker to get Jeff Francoeur to ground into an inning ending double play. Due to the Nats scoring two runs in the bottom of the eighth, Treinen picked up his second win in four appearances.

On a night where Jonathan Papelbon was unavailable after back-to-back outings, the Nats bullpen gave up only one run (Kelly Johnson RBI double in the ninth), gave up three hits, and struck out six batters.

Next: Recap: Harper/Bullpen Key In 2-1 Win

Felipe Rivero entered the game in the ninth inning and was the one who gave up the Johnson double, but he was able to strike out Mallex Smith with a fastball to win the game and pick up the save. He showed why many think he can be a future closer.

While it is only six games, one of the things the Nats new bullpen has done is shown good control. Perez’s two walks put the bullpen’s walk total up to seven, which is the second least in the National League. Only the Cubs have fewer walks with one.

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