Washington Nationals news & notes: Patrick Corbin solid; Nats homer way to win…

Strong Corbin:

Patrick Corbin’s hot streak came to an abrupt end last Sunday at PNC Park, when the left-hander, who started for the Nationals, gave up five hits and four runs in the first inning and then gave up 10 hits and seven earned runs over six innings.

“The two-seam wasn’t there today,” Nationals manager Davey Martinez told reporters after the team’s 7-3 loss to the Pirates. “He was trying to throw more of a cutter. Some pitches were good, some were not good.”

“He wasn’t as effective with his cutter as he normally is and he was sending a lot of balls over the plate.”

“They came out strong,” Corbin said after the Buccaneers’ lineup hit him in the first inning, “and the first home run, a cutter right down the middle of the plate.

“I just didn’t want to pitch there, so that was it. The other hits were the same, I just couldn’t sink the slider like I used to.”

“Everything’s too far to the middle of the plate. I thought we mixed it up well, we were just a little bit out of position.”

Though he hadn’t played well, as mentioned above, Corbin had posted a 2.05 ERA, 2.81 on-base percentage and a .244/.319/.342 batting line in his past four starts, giving the Nationals some much-needed length and helping them make it through the sixth inning despite their struggles.

“Nobody wants the game to start like that. It’s tough,” Corbin told reporters. Quote from MASN’s Mark Zuckerman:

“But I’m still going to pitch. I’m glad I was able to pitch six innings. I wish some things had been different. But with a doubleheader yesterday, you need to use a lot of relief pitchers to come back like we did. Most of our relief pitchers probably would have been taken out today. I’m disappointed we didn’t get the win or that I didn’t give up more runs.”

Corbin pitched five of six scoreless innings at Nationals Park on Saturday afternoon, holding the Miami Marlins to one run, three hits and one walk in a 94-pitch, 59-strikeout start that ultimately led to a 4-1 victory.

After allowing a leadoff double by Jonah Blyde in the second inning, a grounder and an RBI single gave the visitors a 1-0 lead, but Joey Gallo homered in the home half to make it 1-1.

Corbin overcame a walk with two outs in the top of the fourth and an ROE with one out in the top of the fifth, and finished the game with a strong performance, retiring 14 of 16 batters from the end of the second to the sixth inning, striking out 6, 11 and 16 batters.

“He attacked the zone,” Martinez told reporters after the win.

“He was really good. His cutter was good today. His fastball was good. He threw his slider when he needed to. But the cutter was really effective today.”

Photo: Greg Fiume/Getty Images

Asked about the left-handed pitcher Corbin’s increased whiffs, Martinez said the cutter is an effective weapon for Corbin.

“I think throwing the cutter to right-handed hitters has been a weapon for him, and to me, throwing the ball low is more important,” he explained. “He’s throwing the ball low, and when you throw it low, you get good movement on the fastball, so he’s able to hit the ball on both sides of the plate, and that’s really helped him.”

In their post-game notes, the Nationals wrote that Corbin “…has allowed two or fewer earned runs in five of his last six starts.” [and] During this span, he posted a (4-1) record with a 3.44 ERA (13 ER/ 34.0 IP).”

His solid showing is a nice way to end things on a positive note as his six-year, $140 million contract in Washington comes to an end, but Corbin acknowledged there have been tough times at times.

“It can be frustrating at times,” he says. Quote from MASN.

“I’m trying to give it my all, but it’s not working. I’m just getting into a much better position at the plate and I’m striking out more, so I think that’s helping me.”

Notes:

Joey Gallo’s 0-for-21 mini-slump continued until he tied the game with a home run to left field in the seventh on a 2-0 pitch by Marlins starter Valente Veloso, and then his teammates rallied from an early 1-0 deficit to beat the Fish again.

Keivert Lewis led the Nationals with a one-run single in the fourth inning and is batting “.378 (14-for-37) with seven doubles, one home run and five RBIs” over his last 10 innings.[s]three walks, two stolen bases, and five runs scored.”

The Nationals won the game with three home runs from Gallo, Jose Tena and Juan Yepes.

“It was amazing,” Davey Martinez said of the power on display.

“As we always say, Tena can hit, but Gallo was good at hitting the ball farther. And Yepes hasn’t played many games yet, but when he does, he’ll have some good at-bats.”

The Nationals and Fish will close out their season series with this afternoon’s final game at Nationals Park. The Nationals are 10-2 against their NL East rivals this year. MacKenzie Gore will start today.