Nats reliever Sean Burnett isn’t exactly ready to throw a party for himself. His ERA is still 5.70, after all. It will take more than an Albert Pujols pop up in a big situation to reclaim his season. But there is still something to be said for baby steps.
“I just stopped thinking, man,” Burnett said when asked about facing Pujols with one out in a tie game in the 10th inning. “Been thinking so much out there and trying to worry about things instead of going out there athletically and throwing the ball. Tonight, I was going through the heart of their order and things have been going so bad I figured “Go out there and throw it and see what happens.’ And it worked out.”
Washington manager Jim Riggleman showed faith in a reliever who hasn’t exactly inspired much. But Burnett has a track record after his 3.20 ERA with Washington following a late June trade from Pittsburgh in 2009. Last year (2.14 ERA) was even better. Even if he was due for a regression there’s no way Burnett thought it would be this bad.
Against Matt Holliday – who had homered earlier in the game – Burnett wasn’t afraid to issue a two-out walk. Then he didn’t back down against No. 5 hitter Lance Berkman, who has terrorized the Nats over the years. Burnett simply turned to his best pitch, the sinker. If Berkman wanted to beat him he’d have to hit that pitch. He didn’t and struck out to end the inning.
“If you’re going to get me then you’re going to get me,” Burnett said. “But at least I can sleep at night knowing it was my best pitch. Lately it’s been on my second and third pitches that I’ve been getting beat.”
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