Quick Nats Notes

The Nationals, at this writing, are getting pounded by the Cubs 11-2.  That will end the series with a Chicago Cubs sweep, and an 0-3 record for acting Manager Jim Riggleman.  

I guess it is pretty clear that firing Randy St. Claire as pitching coach and Manny Acta as manager has led to real success.  Fact is, the roster is the same, coaches are not, results are identical.    

Storen promoted . . . the Washington Nationals other first round pick, 10th overall, P Drew Storen, has been promoted from Hagerstown (Low A) to the Potomac Nationals (A).  Storen and the Nationals are hoping that Storen will fill the role of closer for the Nats in the near future.  After a rocky start in Hagerstown, Storen settled in to put up some decent numbers.  Checkout the strikeout to inning ratio. 

Entering Sunday’s action, Storen had a 3.68 ERA, 26 strikeouts in 14
2/3 innings and no walks. Even more impressive, in his past five
outings, Storen hasn’t allowed an earned run in 6 2/3 innings. He also
has 15 strikeouts over that span.

JD Martin starting tomorrow . . .  J.D Martin’s dream after 8 years in the minor leagues, comes to fruition tomorrow.  He will make his major league debut for the Nationals, replacing Scott Olsen in the rotation.  Olsen was placed on the DL and will miss Friday and Monday starts. 

The left-hander was scratched from his starts last Friday and on Monday
after complaining of tightness in the left side of his back. He was
evaluated on Friday and is seeking a second opinion from Andrews,
possibly indicating the injury is more serious than initially believed.
In Olsen’s place, the Nationals will likely recall a pitcher from Class
AAA Syracuse.

“He just wants to get some more information about why this pain is
persisting,” Jim Riggleman, the interim manager, said of Olsen, adding:
“He’s still sore. So he’ll be shut down for a while probably.”

Meanwhile, Martin will fill in make his major league debut after putting up nice numbers at Syracuse (AAA). In 15 starts, Martin went 8-3 posting a 2.66 ERA.  Martin joined the Nationals organization this season, ending his stay in Cleveland’s system at the end of last season.