For the last two months of the season, the Washington Nationals will be relying upon Joe Ross to hold down the back end of their rotation.
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Ross learned after the game he was staying in Washington’s rotation replacing veteran Doug Fister, who’s going to the bullpen. He struck out seven Diamondbacks in six innings, walking none and giving up just five hits. Fister, whose contract expires after the season, was unavailable for comment.
In a stunning one-year decline, Fister has been moved to the bullpen due to ineffectiveness, as right-hander Stephen Strasburg is slated to come off the disabled list and start against the Colorado Rockies at Nationals Park August 8.
Ross certainly delivered for the Nats, who had lost four of five, as they closed with 1 1/2 games of the idle front-running New York Mets in the NL East.
“It is a troublesome process once you’ve been a starter for therefore lengthy, however [Doug’s] prepared to do no matter he can to assist us win”, Williams stated. “The changeup is key for him and the breaking ball is key for him”. 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. “He was in command”. His double to left leading off the fourth inning gave him more extra bases hits than he had produced in his previous nine games.
“Just working way too hard out there right now, ” Hellickson said. “I felt like the bases were loaded every inning”.
With the Nationals holding a 5-3 lead in the eighth, Diamondbacks third baseman Jake Lamb drilled a liner that appeared destined for a leadoff single until Desmond leaped and snagged the ball, making a spectacular catch.
Harper went 2-for-2 with three walks and two runs scored to raise his season average to.334, second best in the majors. Arizona (52-55) ended its three-city road trip with a 6-4 record after winning the first four.
Prior to the All-Star break, Danny Espinosa was an integral part of the Washington Nationals’ lineup.
Fister is seen as the consummate professional and team-first player who is quick to take blame when he doesn’t perform up to his lofty standards.
Washington Nationals’ Jayson Werth (28) and Bryce Harper (34) are congratulated by teammates aft …
RHP Chase Anderson (triceps) will be activated from the DL in time to make tomorrow’s start against visiting Cincinnati.
Fister made his last start Monday, the same day Strasburg pitched for Syracuse, and was tagged with the loss against the Diamondbacks.
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Anderson threw four scoreless innings in a Rookie Arizona League game Sunday, his only rehab outing. This year, he is 4-7 with a 4.60 ERA during 15 starts and 64-63 in his career with a 3.44 ERA.
