Ceci Ferrara
May 26, 2015
Sports Writer
Sports Insider
The Washington Nationals kicked off the unofficial start to summer with a four-game series against the division rival Phillies, which they won 3-1.
Their one loss was an 8-1 rout on Saturday which snapped a six-game win streak. The Nats bounced back on Sunday with a 4-1 victory behind southpaw pitcher Gio Gonzalez. With the series behind them, the Nats faced a new rival on Monday–the Chicago Cubs.
Under a hot sun, on a holiday dedicated to our nation’s fallen heroes, the Nationals took the field hopeful for a victory. They did so behind a pitcher who has been solid for them in the past, but who had not yet started a game this season. Under pressure, Tanner Roark delivered.
Roark, who made his Major League debut as a reliever for the Nationals in August 2013 and won 15 games last season, was relegated to relief after Spring Training. Despite not being named to the starting roster, the Nats knew he was on hand if they needed him. And on Monday, with Doug Fister on the 15-day Disabled List, they did.
Roark was solid over five innings, allowing just one run on three hits, including a solo homerun in the first. He also struck out three before manager Matt Williams pulled him to limit his pitch count. Williams anticipates that Roark will fill in for Fister again, and did not want to overwork him during his first start of the season.
“With the exception of one slider to Bryant, he threw the ball exactly where he wanted to throw it today,” Williams said. “He really kept his pitch count down through five. He knows how to pitch. He knows how to get guys out. His fastball stayed at 95 mph today, so we just didn’t want to push him so hard.”
The game was still tied 1-1 when Roark exited the game. Catcher Wilson Ramos gave the Nats some breathing room when he homered in the sixth to give Washington a one-run lead, which they were able to hold onto for a 2-1 victory.
“You gotta tip your cap off to him,” teammate Denard Span, who homered in the bottom of the first, said. “When we signed Max Scherzer, he was the odd man out. On 29 other teams, he would be in the starting rotation. He’s done everything the team’s asked of him.”
While the Nationals have many reasons to celebrate right now, including a first place, 2 1/2 game lead in the NL East, 2015 is also special because it marks 10 years of baseball in Washington.
Last weekend the Nats celebrated by handing out commemorative posters on Sunday. They also have a Washington Nationals yearbook available for sale which includes the team’s best moments of the past decade. In addition to the various events and mementos available at the park, the Newseum has joined the celebration.
So while it’s fun to reminisce and celebrate 10 years of baseball in Washington, it’s safe to say that for the Washington Nationals, the best is yet to come.
