April 15 doesn’t often lend many fond memories as taxes are rendered unto Caesar. However, the Washington Nationals beat Florida, 2-1, last season on a 13-strikeout outing from pitcher John Patterson.
Who knew that might be the one and only win among probable starting pitchers reporting yesterday in Viera, Fla., for Nats spring training. One really is the loneliest number. At least Nats owner Ted Lerner is one local leader who’s not lying when admitting there’s no quick fix ahead.
Did you see the projected rotation among the 39 pitchers at camp? Patterson is the ace. He was 1-2 last season before missing the last three months with an injury. Jerome Williams was 0-2 while allowing 10 runs in 12 1/3 innings with the Chicago Cubs last season. Tim Redding was 0-6 with a 10.57 ERA for the Chicago White Sox. The fourth starter is uncertain — as if anything is certain with this mound crew — but Joel Hanrahan has no major leagueexperience after a stint in the Los Angeles minors.
Livan Hernandez — where have you gone?
OK, the Nats have a few others on the roster contending for the fifth slot who have won. Shawn Hill was 1-3 last year. Michael O’Connor was a gaudy 3-8, though no victories after June. Beltran Perez was 2-1, winning consecutive starts versus Atlanta and New York. Better get him an Eastern Motors commercial.
The Nats should have traded closer Chad Cordero last year because the All-Star reliever is of little use to a team with few ninth-inning leads. A starter who might win a few games would have been more valuable.
At least the Nats have good crab cakes and cheap bleacher seats. The best views are from center field where you can’t easily see how badly things are going.
Patterson is a decent pitcher when healthy. The same could be said for Williams. He was once among San Francisco’s top prospects before shoulder and elbow problems in 2004 derailed his career.
Williams is 23-24 lifetime with a 4.09 ERA so there’s hope of a half dozen wins. O’Connor showed some promise before getting hurt and Hill may be a sleeper.
Oh well — at least lots of bleacher bums will catch a souvenir ball. Just bring your helmet for protection.
Rick Snider has covered local sports since 1978. Contact him at [email protected].
