The Washington Nationals have used Jeter Downs like a yo-yo this year, and that is no reference to Yoyo Morales, the team’s second round draft pick this year. Downs had a walk-off hit less than two weeks ago for the Nats then was optioned, and then brought back and sent back to Triple-A in a matter of three days. After Stone Garrett’s injury on Wednesday, Downs’ was back and now replaced by speedy outfielder Jacob Young who stole bases in the minor leagues at a pace of greater than one per 10 at-bats. Factor in on-base opportunities that weren’t triples and home runs and Young is stealing bases at more than 1:4 in those situations.
After a disappointing 0-6 record against the Miami Marlins to the start of this series, the Nats got off of the schneid with a nice 7-4 win last night with a 6.0 inning scoreless outing from Joan Adon and a huge 2-run homer from Carter Kieboom, and a 2-RBI double from Joey Meneses.
Manager Dave Martinez once again pulled all of the right buttons after Mason Thompson had a 4-run meltdown with the tying run on-base, ex-Marlin had a revenge opportunity and shut the door on the Marlins over two innings to get the save opportunity to Hunter Harvey. Martinez navigated through muddied waters to get to defensive replacements for a key win.
While Young won’t start today, maybe we will see him in a pinch-running spot. You went from High-A Wilmington to Double-A Harrisburg to Triple-A Rochester to the Nationals in one season. Young was in Rochester just for 4-games. He was a 2021 draft pick in the 7th round from Florida.
Today is a matchup of rookies between Jake Irvin for the Nats and Eury Perez for the Marlins. A Nats’ win today would win this series.
“Man, [Joan Adon’s] fastball was good. His breaking ball was good. His changeup was really, really good today, and made all the other pitches that much better. He attacked the zone and when he does that, he’s really effective. He pitched really well for us, and we were able to get a win.”
— manager Dave Martinez said
The Nats starting pitchers have a combined ERA of 4.65 for 21st best in MLB.
Here is how they rank:
No. 6 Starter: Joan Adon 5.21 (starter’s ERA only)
No. 5 Starter: Trevor Williams 4.95
No. 4 Starter: Patrick Corbin 4.70
No. 3 Starter: Jake Irvin 4.47
No. 2 Starter: MacKenzie Gore 4.38
No. 1 Starter: Josiah Gray 3.85
Here is your Baseball Baseball Savant Link for the game.
Washington Nationals vs. Miami Marlins
Stadium: loanDepot Park, Miami, Florida
1st Pitch: 4:10 pm EDT
TV: MASN2
Radio: 106.7 The Fan radio and via the MLB app
