Nationals closer Drew Storen began mentally preparing for his usual ninth-inning role when his team took a one-run lead in the seventh inning of Wednesday’s game against the Chicago Cubs. Much to his surprise, manager Davey Johnson had other ideas. Fellow reliever Henry Rodriguez had a dominant eighth inning, and Johnson wanted to stick with him. Storen had pitched in four of the previous five games, after all.
Like a kid at the grocery store whose mom shoots down a demand for candy at the check-out aisle, Storen fumed when he heard that news from bullpen coach Jim Lett. No big deal. Storen just really wanted to pitch.
“My favorite thing in the world is to pitch in the ninth inning,” Storen said. “I understand. Henry pretty much dominated the eighth, and I’ve thrown a lot. I wanted to be out there. I was just fired up anyways. … But I didn’t really do anything. I was just standing there and stayed on my toes.”
Good thing Storen remained ready because Johnson relented and let his closer earn save No. 22. But that may be it for the 23-year-old for a few days. Johnson is mindful of his young reliever’s arm and didn’t want to pitch him Wednesday at all. Storen has made 43 appearances in 2011. He made 54 all of last season.
That’s not ideal, according to Johnson. But Storen has learned to save his pitches, to warm up more efficiently in the bullpen. He once heard a rumor that longtime San Diego Padres closer Trevor Hoffman needed just eight pitches to get loose in the bullpen. Figuring it couldn’t be true, Storen asked Hoffman about it last season. Turns out it was.
Storen has cut way down on his pregame throwing and makes sure he does his exercises after every game and ices his arm properly. Cut corners there and you’re asking for trouble. It was a lesson learned at Stanford from pitching coach Jeff Austin and reiterated by fellow big league relievers Matt Capps, Todd Coffey, Brian Bruney and Tyler Walker — veterans who know how important routine is to get through 50, 60 or even 70 appearances in six months.
