Searching for a sequence sweep — their first of the season — towards an anticipated playoff contender, the Washington Nationals turned to Paolo Espino.
Washington
Nationals fall short of their first sweep with a loss to the Brewers
“That’s all you possibly can ask from them,” the supervisor mentioned.
They primarily mixed to fill the rotation spot beforehand held by Joan Adon, who was despatched to Class AAA Rochester on Wednesday after his most up-to-date tough outing. Lee, a 24-year-old left-hander, made his main league debut in a loss on the New York Mets on June 1, whereas Espino made 19 begins a 12 months in the past however this season primarily has been seen in blowouts. Espino twice had accomplished three innings, and probably the most pitches he had thrown was 55.
He wanted simply 23 to get by means of the primary two innings Sunday, going through one batter over the minimal. However within the third, Tyrone Taylor doubled with one out and Willy Adames drove him in with a two-out double to place the Brewers forward.
Espino was pulled in favor of Lee after recording the primary two outs of the fourth.
“I used to be simply attempting to go on the market so far as I may,” he mentioned. “I used to be feeling okay, however I perceive additionally I haven’t been on the market for greater than three [innings]. … They had been going the protected route.”
Lee, developed as a starter within the minors, had made one reduction look since his massive league debut. On Sunday, he completed off the fourth and struck out the primary two batters within the fifth earlier than Christian Yelich singled. Adames then blasted a two-run homer to place the Brewers (34-28) forward by three.
Within the sixth, Lee took a line drive to the fitting knee however remained within the sport and retired the aspect so as. Martinez mentioned Lee may have gone again out, however he opted to make a change when his knee bought sore.
“Wasn’t very polished in any respect, by any means,” Lee mentioned of his outing. “When that occurs, it fuels me. It will get me sort of pissed off. And so I may care much less concerning the ache. I simply wished to push on within the sport and assist our group get deeper into the ballgame.”
The ultimate tally: Espino allowed 4 hits and one run, hanging out two, in 3⅔ innings; Lee went 2⅓, permitting three hits and two runs and hanging out a pair.
These numbers are the newest information factors for Martinez to contemplate because the Nationals (23-39) line up their rotation for Nationwide League East matchups with the Atlanta Braves and Philadelphia Phillies this week. With the Braves on the town starting Monday, Martinez mentioned Josiah Grey, Stephen Strasburg and Erick Fedde would face the defending champs. Patrick Corbin is prone to face the Phillies on Thursday earlier than a day-night doubleheader Friday loops the rotation again round.
Espino and Lee can be in line to start out these video games — so long as Lee’s knee isn’t sore. After that, the Nationals may choose to show to Lee in hopes of growing a younger starter — or they might maintain rolling with Espino, a identified amount at 35.
Who dealt with the final three innings? Andres Machado went two scoreless earlier than Carl Edwards Jr. dealt with the ninth. Andrew McCutchen mashed a solo homer for the primary run Edwards allowed since his first look with the group Could 10, ending a 15⅓-inning scoreless streak and boosting his ERA to 2.08.
Who had the massive hits for the Nationals? No one — they completed 0 for six with runners in scoring place. Josh Bell hit a bases-loaded sacrifice fly within the fifth that scored César Hernández — and that was it after they notched 19 runs within the first two video games of the sequence. Washington completed with eight hits (seven singles) however left the bases loaded within the third.
What’s the most recent on Alcides Escobar? The shortstop is taking groundballs and hitting as he works his manner again from a strained hamstring he suffered Could 31. Martinez mentioned Escobar nonetheless feels discomfort when he runs, in order that’s the final hurdle he has to clear. He’s eligible to return from the 10-day injured listing at any time.