Share

Desmond, Ross Lift Nationals To 8-3 Win Over Diamondbacks

So that’s the message. AFP Search Engine Optimization The prettiest website in the world is like a tree falling in the forest with no one there to hear it. If your website hasn’t been search engine optimized, no one is going to see it or hear it – and it’s not going to work for you. That’s how we play. “But that’s not the type of team we are”.

Advertisement

After this year, Span will be a free agent and it appears he will leave the Nationals, who have groomed Michael A. Taylor as the next center fielder.

Washington Nationals right-hander Doug Fister, 31, has been in the major leagues since 2009 and has made 167 starts. You have to be together.

The Nationals certainly need a lift from someone, be it player or manager or coach.

Williams has talked about aggressiveness all season. He game up back to back singles and then a three run homer.

“It’s rare”, Williams said of Ross’ advanced mental approach to the game. The opportunities for him will be long.

“We faced good pitching everywhere we went”, manager Chip Hale said. A finesse pitcher, Fister had problems keeping the ball down.

The arrival of Jonathan Papelbon signaled a willingness to do what is necessary – even if it meant moving Drew Storen from the closer’s role he earned – to solidify a struggling bullpen.

After tonight’s start, Ross is up to 121 innings overall on the year between Double-A, Triple-A and the Nationals’ rotation.

Ian Desmond, the National League’s Silver Slugger shortstop the past three years, was scuffling so badly at the plate that he was rested on Wednesday night.

Desmond is batting just.214/.261/.354 with 11 homers and 34 RBI in 102 games this season. In his place, Saltalamacchia started at first for the first time since 2012. For the past week, he and Jose Lobaton have been splitting time. Anderson’s last five starts before the DL stay were less than encouraging.

The decision on Fister had already been made most likely since he was in the bullpen during the August. 6 game. The tightrope bends at some points in the clubhouse than it does at others.

The Nats have to hope that they can milk enough innings down the stretch from Ross to make the playoffs, where they’ll shorten the rotation to four anyway. “Ever since pro ball, it’s really become an important thing”. The Nationals know they can not afford to sit and wait much longer. The 29-year-old leads the Nationals with five taters since the All-Star break.

But the big news about Ross was that his success has locked up a rotation spot, forcing Doug Fister to the bullpen when Stephen Strasburg returns from the disabled list Saturday.

The Nationals recalled Blake Treinen from Class AAA Syracuse Thursday, and optioned Aaron Barrett. When it finally did, by way of the reporter’s question, Ross took it in stride. Sure, he only went 4 2/3 innings, and sure, he gave up 4 runs on 5 hits and 4 walks, but it’s not like he gave up all 8 runs. Andrew Lee worked two scoreless innings in relief and has not yet allowed a run with Hagerstown.

Advertisement

Nationals: RHP Jordan Zimmermann (8-7, 3.54) allowed five runs and six hits in six innings in his last start.

Washington Nationals Jayson Werth and Bryce Harper are