Ross returned from a 66-game absence with right shoulder inflammation to give Washington’s rotation a boost in a rain-shorted 6-2 loss to the Atlanta Braves on Sunday.
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Matt Wisler received the start for Atlanta.
“I was talking to him – this was like in April and May, when he was on a roll – I said, ‘Hey man, I want you to do so well that you’d be in consideration for the third spot in the playoffs, ‘” Baker said. I just wanted to have a good bounce back.
Atlanta continued its run of surprisingly competent offensive output, collecting a total of 12 hits over six and two-thirds before rain cut the game short.
Washington began the day needing a combination of six Nationals victories or six New York Mets losses to clinch its third NL East title in five years. He pitched three innings and allowed one run and six hits – only one hit hard – with five strikeouts.
Wisler (7-12) allowed two runs, five hits and struck out two in 5 2/3 innings.
Meanwhile, Wisler, previously owner of a 5.00 ERA, suppressed a Nationals lineup without three regulars – Daniel Murphy, Anthony Rendon, and Ryan Zimmerman all were given the day off – until a sixth-inning downpour flooded Turner Field. “They were swinging kind of early”. The Nationals continue the next leg of their three-city trip when they start at three-game set in Miami. He lost to NY on June 24, allowing three runs in six innings.
Joe Ross was throwing a mid-90s heater (93-95), his slider had some bite, and he even hit a line drive single in his first start since July 2nd.
“We were contemplating taking him another inning but said, ‘That’s enough this first time out, ‘ ” Baker said.
It was Ross’s first start since July 2 and the beginning of a three-start tryout for the opening.
The Nationals wasted a chance to rattle Collmenter in the second when he walked three of the first four batters but struck out Turner to escape the jam. Collmenter also stranded a runner at third in the third. Baker would like for Ross work his way back as a starter.
“Aside from the two balls that left the yard, I feel good about most of my stuff”, Collmenter said. Although Gonzalez limited the damage to two runs in that inning when Markakis grounded into a double play, Atlanta still had a 3-1 lead. Play was then immediately stopped, with the score 3-1 and two outs in the top of the sixth.
“ATLANTA “ Nationals phenom and Braves thorn Trea Turner interrupted right-hander Matt Wisler”s strong start before a rain delay ended it. Ross went 4-0 with a 4.25 ERA in his final eight starts before the injury, but allowed 20 hits in his final 11 1/3 innings.A sore right side forced Wisler to miss a scheduled start September 5 and he struggled upon returning Tuesday against Miami, allowing six runs on 10 hits in 4 1/3 innings. The Nationals won the season series 15-4.
The Braves will now head to NY where they will open a three-game set on Monday. The rookie, who also had a single, walk and stolen base, is batting.482 (27-for-56) with 16 RBIs and 19 runs against Atlanta. First baseman Freddie Freeman added two hits and extended his National League-leading hitting streak to 22 games. Both are career highs and the longest active streaks in the majors. Braves CF Ender Inciarte went 1 for 3 and leads the majors with 88 hits since the All-Star break.
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RHP Aaron Blair (0-6, 8.23) was activated from the disabled list Sunday ahead of a Monday start against the Mets.
