Call it a tiny dose of good news for a team ravaged by negatives. The starting pitchers exit games early, too often before even the Presidents have started their race. The offense averages fewer runs per game than every team but one.
There is one positive.
The bullpen has been good.
Of course, not that it’s mattered. Alas, in every game this season their only job has been to keep games close and not finish them off. But they’ve done it well enough to provide a modicum of hope for the Nats (1-6) to at least stay competitive.
After seven games, only one starter has an ERA under6.00 (Shawn Hill, who has a 3.09 ERA). The starters are a combined 0-6 with an NL-worst 7.15 ERA.
Meanwhile, five relievers have ERAs under 4.50.
“They’ve been the strength of the team the last couple years,” catcher Brian Schneider said. “We need them to continue to do that.”
That’s an understatement. The starting pitchers have combined to throw 34 innings; the bullpen has combined for 29.
At this rate, their arms might be gassed by early summer. But the starting staff lacks a proven innings-eating pitcher, which means the bullpen will get plenty of work.
“That’s our job, plain and simple,” said Jon Rauch, who is 1-0 with a 2.45 ERA in 3 2/3 innings. “You expect [the burden early]. You can’t always expect even your ace to go out and give you seven or eight strong innings from the get-go. We expect to go out and eat innings the first two, three weeks until guys get settled in.
“It’s still a learning process for younger pitchers like [Matt] Chico and [Jason] Bergmann. It will take time for them to get comfortable.”
The bullpen hasn’t been perfect. Jesus Colome allowed a three-run sixth in Friday’s 7-1 loss to Arizona. And Chad Cordero has allowed three runs in his three innings.
But, for the most part, they’ve held down the opposition. It helps that pitchers such as Rauch and Cordero are established in their roles. The same is true when setup man Luis Ayala returns, possibly next month.
“They know how they’ll be used and everyone is comfortable with that,” starter John Patterson said. “When you have a certain comfort level, it makes you relax and you know you can do the job.
“They’re all good at what they do. Our job is to allow them to be used in their roles.”
Nats notes
» The Nats begin a three-game series at Atlanta tonight. From there, they play three games inNew York against the Mets.
» Of the eight position players who have at least 20 at-bats for Washington, six are batting at least .292 or higher. Yet the Nats have scored only 18 runs. Ryan Church leads the hitters with 17 total bases; Austin Kearns and Dmitri Young are next with 13.
» The Nats’ starting pitchers have just one quality start. One reason why the team gives up lots of runs: they have struck out 35 batters — but walked 33. The pitchers have allowed just four unearned runs.
