Jason Bergmann heard an unusual chant last night as National fans chanted his name after his departure. Then again, it was those fans who were almost treated to an unusual night.
Almost.
Bergmann pitched seven innings of no-hit ball, until a leadoff homer in the eighth by Atlanta’s Brian McCann spoiled his bid. But Bergmann still picked up his first win of the season, leading Washington to a 2-1 victory, its fourth straight.
“I’ve never gotten a curtain call before,” Bergmann said. “That was fantastic; that warms me.”
But his pitching warmed the 18,829 fans — and his teammates. And getting the win helped the hard-luck Bergmann, who lowered his ERA to 2.76. He finished with a career-best 10 strikeouts, with only one walk in his 110-pitch effort.
Bergmann had dominant control of all his pitches, spotting his fastball where he wanted. His curve and slider obeyed his wishes.
“It was an unbelievable feeling,” Nats manager Manny Acta said, “to the point where I thought he was going to do it. He was spectacular; that’s the way he’s pitched for us since his first outing.
“He’s in control out there and in a good rhythm.”
Teammate Jason Simontacchi said, “I was picturing running out there… and wondering how we would champagne him with beer when we’ve got no beer up here [in the clubhouse].”
But that’s not what Bergmann said he was thinking about. That’s why he said he was relaxed after giving up the homer, retiring the next three hitters.
“How many games end in a no-hitter? Not many,” Bergmann said. “If you get a zero that’s fine, but you’re not going for the no-hitter.”
Cordero back; Hill to DL: One pitcher returned; another was placed on the disabled list. In both cases, it was good news for the Nationals.
Closer Chad Cordero returned from the bereavement list, three days after his grandmother died of brain cancer. And starting pitcher Shawn Hill was placed on the 15-day disabled list due to a partial dislocation in his left shoulder, retroactive to May 12. It could have been much worse for a player who has battled elbow problems in the past.
For Cordero, he won’t return to California for his grandmother’s funeral.
“I went back, cleared my head, and Ifeel good now,” Cordero said. “[My father] said, ‘Just stay focused,’ and my grandma is watching down on me now. I wanted to be there for the service, but I think it was better for me to go back to California while she was still alive and while I had the chance to see her before she went.”
