WASHINGTON -- The Nationals' starting rotation has been struggling in a big way lately. In their last 10 games, entering Wednesday's action, the starters were 1-7 with a 12.65 ERA (52 runs in 37 innings).
During that span, Washington's starters averaged 3 2/3 innings per start and lasted less than four innings six times. In fact, the last quality start the Nationals received came from left-hander Billy Traber, who pitched 6 1/3 frames on Aug. 21, when he gave up three runs in a 3-1 loss to the Marlins. The lack of quality innings concerns manager Frank Robinson.
"I'm very concerned about the lack of quality starts from our starting staff," the manager said. "I'm concerned about the innings that the bullpen has to [eat up] in ballgames. I'm concerned about our pitchers not being able to stop the bleeding. I know they are able to do a better job, and they [did] early on in the year. But ... we haven't been able to get them to pitch the way they are capable of pitching."."
Robinson also believes that the position players need to play better defense and give the starters more run support. For example, Traber gave up eight runs on Sunday, but Ryan Church, Henry Mateo and Daryle Ward were unable to make plays behind him.
"If we play a little better defense behind them and we score a few more runs earlier, it would help," Robinson said. "So it's all part of it."
Pitching coach Randy St. Claire acknowledged that the lack of success by the starters is bothering him as well. He constantly looks at video to see what the pitchers are struggling with.
"I want to try to help these guys and make them the best pitchers they can be, so whenever they are struggling, I'm always trying to look for things, trying find something they are doing [wrong]," St. Claire said. "So much of this game is mental. I believe a lot of things are caused by mental problems, whether they are not confident in their stuff. They overtry, they overdo things. They are trying too hard."
Draft watch: The Nationals have until Sept. 5 to sign right-hander Sean Black, their second-round pick in the 2006 First-Year Player Draft. That is the day Black is expected to start classes at Seton Hall. If he attends class, Black will not be eligible for the draft until after his junior year and the Nationals will lose his rights.
Black told MLB.com on Wednesday that the two parties are not far apart on dollar figures, but he hasn't heard from his agent in two weeks. A source said Black wants to make more money than right-hander Stephen King, who signed a $750,000 bonus with the club recently. King was a third-round pick.
"I'm preparing for college just in case," Black said.
A team official said that Black's mother would prefer her son went to college, but Black said his mother is not playing a role in the decision.
"My mother has left it up to me. I would love to play for the Nationals," Black said.
For a good cause: The Baseball Tomorrow Fund is teaming with the Nationals to host an equipment collection drive at RFK Stadium. Fans are invited to donate new and used equipment, which will benefit Batter Up Foundation/D.C. RBI, on Friday and Saturday as the Nationals take on the Diamondbacks.
The Baseball Tomorrow Fund will award a grant of $5,000 to the Batter Up Foundation/D.C. RBI for the purchase of new equipment.
Cathy Bradley, executive director of the Baseball Tomorrow Fund, along with Alphonso Maldon, the Nationals' senior vice president of external affairs and infielder Marlon Anderson will present a ceremonial check to the organization during a pregame ceremony at RFK Stadium on Saturday.
Be a part of the mailbag: The Nationals mailbag runs on Monday. Send in your questions now.
Stat of the day: Ryan Zimmerman has 20 go-ahead RBIs, which is a franchise rookie record. Gary Carter held the record with 19 in 1975.
Did you know? The Nationals are 17-24 since the arrival of Austin Kearns and Felipe Lopez in a trade from the Reds on July 13.
This and that: Catcher Brandon Harper was charged with a strange error in the second inning. With Jeff Conine on first, starter Ramon Ortiz threw a pitch to Chris Coste. Harper caught the ball and threw it back to Ortiz, who never reached for the ball and it went into center field for an error as Conine advanced to second base. ... Robinson turns 71 on Thursday. ... Jason Bergmann is now scheduled to pitched against the Diamondbacks on Saturday. Left-hander Mike O'Connor was scheduled to make the start.
--
※ 發信站: 批踢踢實業坊(ptt.cc)
◆ From: 220.143.98.163