Starters Working Longer – The Post

DENVER, July 6 — Four times during the last 49 games, Washington Nationals starting pitchers have gone beyond the eighth inning. Twice, they’ve lasted the full nine. Under normal circumstances, this rate of stellar pitching wouldn’t register as an oddity; after all, the standard big league team gets about four or five complete games every season. But here’s the context, with the Nationals: In Manny Acta’s first 354 games as manager, no starter went beyond eight innings.

Lannan, Olsen earn trust – The Wash. Times
The starting pitching for the Nationals is better of late and lasting longer, particularly John Lannan and Scott Olsen. Lannan, now in his second full year, has earned his managers trust. Olsen, who started for the Florida Marlins prior to coming to Washington, has too goo starts after being on the DL. The younger pitchers, Craig Stammen, Jordan Zimmermann and Ross Detwiler have also improved for the most part of late. I’m wondering how much of this can be attributed to the change at pitching coach. Was Randy St. Claire, who preceded current pitching coach Steve McCatty, too technical for the young pitchers? McCatty is more of “go out and pitch” type compared to St. Claire who was a meticulous user of video. Maybe I’m looking for something that isn’t there, but as the season wears on, I hope the beat writers explore this possibility.

Colome elects free agency –
Good news, Jesus Colome joins Kip Wells as a free agent after being designated for assignment. I had been mad at Colome since he blew game 4 of the 2008 season in Philly.

Washington Nationals, Nats, pitching pitching pitching, Steve McCatty