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Washington Nationals Reaction: Joe Ross Impressive In 5-1 Win

By Ricky Keeler

May 31, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Washington Nationals shortstop Stephen Drew (10) slides safely past Philadelphia Phillies catcher Cameron Rupp (29) for an inside the park home run during the ninth inning at Citizens Bank Park. The Nationals defeated the Phillies, 5-1. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
May 31, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Washington Nationals shortstop Stephen Drew (10) slides safely past Philadelphia Phillies catcher Cameron Rupp (29) for an inside the park home run during the ninth inning at Citizens Bank Park. The Nationals defeated the Phillies, 5-1. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports /
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Washington Nationals
May 31, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Washington Nationals starting pitcher Joe Ross (41) throws a pitch during the first inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports /

Ross Reels In Phillies

After a rough start to the month of May, Joe Ross finished the month with two consecutive victories. Even though the 23-year-old finished the month of May with a 2-4 record and a 3.32 ERA, he gave up three earned runs or fewer in four of his six outings.

Last night, he didn’t get ahead of too many counts when you consider he only threw 12 first pitch strikes to the 24 batters he faced, but he still managed to throw 67 strikes out of the 103 pitches he threw.

Ross’ rough inning occurred in the bottom of the third. He gave up a leadoff single to David Lough and a triple to Cesar Hernandez that ended up tying the game at one. However, Ross held the damage to one run as he got two groundouts, including one where Hernandez was thrown out at the plate, and a flyout to center by Freddy Galvis.

As we have seen all season, Ross has been allowed to go deep into games by Baker. He has thrown 103+ pitches in four of his last six games. But, he has been one of the Nats’ best starters away from home. His 1.54 ERA in six road outings is the second best in the NL among pitchers who have started four or more road games (Steven Matz of the Mets – 4-0, 1.32).

Of course, with pitchers such as Scherzer and Stephen Strasburg in the rotation, Ross tends to get overlooked, but when the back end of the rotation is clicking like Ross and Roark are as of lately, this is a tough team to score runs against. Plus, Ross didn’t pitch with much run support this month when you consider the team scored 16 runs in the six games he pitched.

Next: Another Day, Another Multi-Hit Game

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