Nationals vs Reds: Rookie Pitchers Looking to Rebound
At some point in their first season, rookies are expected to hit a rough patch. It’s how they respond and their ability to keep moving forward that separates the ones with a bright future and those who move back in fourth into the majors and minors.
Tuesday's game when the Nationals meet the Reds in the second game of the series at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati will feature two rookie pitchers looking to rebound in a big way.
Atliano seeks redemption
For Washington, right-hander Luis Atilano will try to put his last outing for Triple-A Syracuse behind him, when he gave up five runs on seven hits in 2 1/3 innings.
The rookie has been given the green light from Nationals manager Jim Riggleman, who believes that Atilano will do a better job back in the rotation.
"He just didn't have a good day there," Riggleman said. "But it's challenging, Double-A, Triple-A guys are trying to get you. The games he gave us here are more of an indication of what he can do for us. We need a starter Tuesday. That's why we sent him down there to pitch on Thursday, so he'd be ready to pitch on Tuesday."
Leake attempts to bury a bad memory
For Cincinnati’s first-year righty Mike Leake, his previous start went well until an epic collapse in the ninth inning.
Leake had a 7-1 lead on the road against the Philadelphia Phillies and let it squander away. The lead was cut to two runs following a three-run homer and the Reds went on to lose the game.
"It's a tough one to swallow, up by six," Leake said. "There should be no reason not to close the game."
The rookies have the ability to rebound for their slumps and get back on track before any real damage surfaces. Both have shown experience well beyond their years and have tenacious personalities and are obsessed about the game of baseball.
Despite their age, these youngsters are very passionate about the game and are meticulous in their preparation heading into every match.
Nationals want to reverse skid
The Nationals will be looking to jump in front early in the game and avoid having their young pitcher play catch-up. This tactic will also put the Nationals in an unfamiliar territory having posting a 6-25 record outside of Washington since May 13.
The Reds’ third baseman Scott Rolen missed his third consecutive game Monday and is questionable for tonight’s game. Rolen has been battling a sore right hamstring and the flu.
Catcher Ramon Hernandez has had his own share of problems dealing with soreness in his left knee. The pain has gone away for the most part and he is eligible to return from the disabled list Tuesday, but the Reds have not announced if he'll play or sit out for a few more games.
They are playing it safe and do not want to rush him back into the lineup opting to wait and see how the knee responds from catching drills and batting practice.
Cincinnati has been in a rut during the past few games and has been shut out four times in the last 10 games and a whopping 11 times this season, the most in the Majors and its highest total since 2006.
Because of Cincinnati’s inability to produce runs, the Reds have found themselves in many low scoring games. The same can be said about Washington. In the Nationals’ previous 67 games, 41 of those matches have been decided by two runs or less.
Washington is tied with the Reds for the Major League lead in games decided by two or fewer runs (52) and one-run results (33).
This game is shaping up to be a low scoring battle with both the pitchers looking to play their very best.
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