Nats 4, Kansas City Royals 3
The rains came out of nowhere, literally sending Nats starting pitcher Luis Atilano to the showers during what became a 4-3 win over Kansas City. Washington’s clubhouse was the last place he wanted to be after allowing four hits and no walks through four innings. Heck – two of those Kansas City hits were fluke bloops that landed just beyond the reach of his fielders. Atilano needed a rebound game after allowing five runs against the Tigers last week and failing to reach even the fifth inning. A long delay was not what he needed.
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But the 25-year-old rookie passed a test of sorts in tonight’s 4-3 win over the Royals. He was mad as he left the field with the weather unloading on Nationals Park. Nats first baseman Adam Dunn said he came out of the bathroom near the team’s dugout and was instantly greeted with sideways rain and heavy winds as he walked up the tunnel steps. But as his teammates filed back into the clubhouse, Atilano calmed himself and prepared to pitch again when the delay finally ended 49 minutes later. He gave his team another 1 1/3 innings, allowing just one run.
“When you have a rain delay like that – 40 minutes, 45 minutes – it’s tough for a pitcher,” said Nats veteran catcher Ivan Rodriguez. “But [Atilano] showed us a lot. Being able to come back and complete five innings – I was happy for him that he got the win.”
Atilano didn’t make the final roster after spring training in Viera, Fla. But since his recall from Triple-A Syracuse on April 23 he’s made 12 starts and is 6-4 with a 4.52 ERA. He’s worked with pitching coach Steve McCatty to improve his balance during his throwing motion. That allows him to keep his arm on top of the ball and keeps his control sharp. Atilano has walked three or more batters in a game just four times in 2010. He had no walks against Kansas City. On Tuesday night he used a nice cutback sinker that jammed right-handed batters and stayed around the plate with his other pitches, including a slider. He’s not a strikeout pitcher – though who on the Nats is other than Stephen Strasburg? But Atilano kept the ball down consistently and struck out five Royals.
So Nats pitchers in the last 29 1/3 innings dating back to last Friday have struck out 27 batters and walked a grand total of one. That ratio should win you some ballgames if the offense can produce even a little bit. Today was a start with 11 hits and four runs. Willingham downplayed his 100th career home run after the game – though admitted the scoreboard tribute when the teams returned to the field was “neat.” He also apparently wanted no part of a curtain call even though some of his teammates were pushing him in that direction. To be honest – the fans left were probably too wet to take things that far. And that was just fine with Willingham. He hopes to hit a lot more home runs in Washington anyway.
“I’m sure it’ll mean more when I finish my career and stop playing,” Willingham said. “You never set a goal like that – but when you get to 100 it’s pretty cool.
Nats Notes
» Washington is 20-15 at Nationals Park this season and now 7-3-2 in series played at home.
» Nats pitchers have not allowed a home run in six straight games. That sets a new team record since the club moved to the District in 2005.
» St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Jamie Garcia is the only National League rookie with more wins than Nats right-hander Luis Atilano in 2010. He is tied for second among N.L. rookies with the Mets’ Hisanori Takahashi.
» Nats slugger Adam Dunn has homered in seven of his last 14 games and leads the team with 17 overall. His fifth-inning blast also snapped an 0-for-14 skid.
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