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Washington Nationals Bullpen Shows Positive Signs Against Phillies

By Ricky Keeler

Apr 14, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals relief pitcher Shawn Kelley (27) throws to the Philadelphia Phillies during the tenth inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 14, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals relief pitcher Shawn Kelley (27) throws to the Philadelphia Phillies during the tenth inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /
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After Stephen Strasburg threw seven strong innings, the Washington Nationals bullpen shut out the Phillies over the final three frames in the 3-2 win

In the first nine games of the season, the Washington Nationals bullpen was somewhat of a disappointment. It seemed like every game, the relievers would find a way to give up just one run. But, it was the ‘pen yesterday that kept the Nats in the game during their 3-2 win over the Phillies.

For more on Murphy’s big day and the performance of Strasburg, check out yesterday’s postgame show, hosted by fellow co-editor Ron Juckett:

But, there were signs that the relievers don’t have much trust from

Dusty Baker

as

Stephen Strasburg

threw 111 pitches over seven innings. He has thrown 105+ pitches in back-to-back outings. Keep in mind, Strasburg threw over 500 pitches in the first month of last season.:

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With Strasburg out of the game and avoiding the loss thanks to a Anthony Rendon RBI double, it was up to the bullpen to try to hold the Phillies at two runs. The trio of Koda Glover, Blake Treinen, and Shawn Kelley all found a way to do their job before Daniel Murphy’s RBI double in the bottom of the tenth.

Once Strasburg’s day was done, Glover got the ball in the eighth and was dominant. Unlike last Sunday’s bad outing against Philadelphia, the young right-hander threw eight of his 12 pitches for strikes and struck out one batter in a 1-2-3 inning. The sinker was at 97 miles per hour and the slider had its usual nasty movement.

In a non-save situation, Treinen pitched the ninth inning and ran into trouble. But, as usual, he found a way to get the groundball out that he needed, even though it was one of the weirdest double plays you will ever see.

With the exception of Opening Day, it’s been a rough first week and a half for Treinen. Since that game, he has not thrown a perfect inning and has a walk in three straight games. Yesterday, he only threw five of 12 pitches were for strikes.

While the Phillies helped him get out of the inning, Treinen is walking the proverbial tightrope early and that’s always dangerous for a reliever. He has to be able to command that sinker or his outings aren’t going to be consistent.

As for Kelley, this was probably his best outing of the season. In the tenth, he struck out two of the three batters he faced (both swinging) and threw only one pitch that wasn’t a strike.

The outing by Kelley yesterday was similar to the outings he had in September last year when he didn’t give up a run heading into the postseason. If Kelley can string together a couple of strong relief outings, it should help his confidence.

Next: 5 To Watch In Phillies Visit To D.C.

All in all, the bullpen is not going to make things easy in the early stages of 2017. But, yesterday’s good performances by the bullpen could help restore their confidence after a rough start to the season for almost everyone in the ‘pen.

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