Major Leagues
Nationals’ Giolito Solid In Rain Shortened Debut
Rookie earned another start with his gem.
Photo by: Gabe Rodriguez/LOD
Update: June 29 – 11:05 am
The Washington Nationals received exactly what they needed; a solid start from their #1 prospect Lucas Giolito pitching in place of injured Stephen Strasburg.
Giolito made his major league debut against the New York Mets on Tuesday and after giving up a lead off single to Curtis Granderson, he retired the next eight batters he faced. But due to a 1-hour and 25 minute rain delay, his outing was cut short to just four innings.
Giolito faced 14 batters, tossing 45 pitches (29 strikes), allowing just one hit, no runs, two walks and a strikeout.
The rookie earned a no decision and received praises from his manager Dusty Baker, as he talked to the media on Tuesday night.
“He was very good. We were hoping that the rain would subside and it didn’t. He showed good control. He got out of whack a little there, but found it back. He had a good fastball that we knew and he threw some outstanding breaking balls and a few changeups,”
As for the game, the Nationals scored a run in the bottom of the second on a triple off the bat of Anthony Rendon, scoring Wilson Ramos.
Then in the fifth, Bryce Harper hit his 16th home run on the season, a two run-shot to extend the lead to 3-0.
In the seventh, Ramos doubled in two more runs, putting the Nationals up for good at 5-0.
With the victory the Nationals improved to 46-32, while increasing their lead in the NL East to 4.5 games over the Miami Marlins.
Original June 28
The Washington Nationals took a major blow when starter Stephen Strasburg was placed on the 15-day disabled list with an Upper Back strain, but now it opened up an opportunity to promote their #1 prospect right hander Lucas Giolito.
Strasburg, so far in his walk year, is 10-0, with a 2.90 ERA, and 118 strikeouts in 93 innings.
Giolito will be thrown into the spotlight as he makes his major league debut against division rival, the New York Mets and right hander Matt Harvey in Game two of their three game series.
The Santa Monica, California native has not pitched higher than Double-A, but in two seasons spanning 2015-2016, he is 9-5, with a 3.48 ERA with the Harrisburg Senators.
Even though the Nationals beat the Mets on Monday 11-4, and lead the NL East by 3.5 games over the second place Miami Marlins, the Nats have been on a tailspin losing seven of their last ten games.
It’s not certain if 15 days is all Strasburg needs to recover and come back strong, but a solid start from Giolito will ease some anxiety until the Nats Ace is able to return.
David Conde
David is the Co-Founder and Executive Editor of Legends On Deck®, as well as a Co-Host on Legends On Deck Podcast. David was a Senior Editor for MetsMerizedOnline.com, MetsMinors.net and Contributor for Hardballchat.com that spanned from 2010 to 2014. David made his MLB Debut as a writer in June 2014, while covering the NY Mets at Citi Field, for MetsmerizedOnline.com. David also coaches baseball for ages 13-15, a Babe Ruth League team in his local community. David's passion is coaching the game he loves to the future Legends of Tomorrow as well as making available a website that people can have fun sharing and reading. David is also passionate about his career as a Mortgage Loan Officer which allows him to help many families reach their dreams of owning a home. Connect with David via his Social Media pages as he loves to chat all about baseball.
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