On a day in which Kyle Schwarber hit two home runs, it was pitcher Joe Ross who stole the show. Ross pitched arguably his best game, pitching eight scoreless innings for the first time in his young career.
In fact it was just the first time he’d thrown eight innings since June 2017. That was before his Tommy John surgery later that year.
Sunday, Ross struck out nine batters without a single walk on 108 pitches, leading the Nationals to a 5-0 win over the San Francisco Giants. The win earned the Nats a four-game series split with the best team in the National League.
Ross received a standing ovation when he walked off the mound at the end of the eighth.
Since returning back to the field in 2019, Ross has battled his way into the starting rotation. During Washington’s World Series winning year, Ross split his time out of the bullpen and as a spot starter. Even then, it was clear through his numbers he was better off starting.
He started Game 5 of the World Series in place of an injured Max Scherzer. Last year, he opted out of the pandemic-shortened season due to concerns over COVID-19. He returned this spring looking to earn a spot in the rotation.
Prior to Sunday, Ross hadn’t pitched beyond six innings this season. He was 2-6 with a 4.80 ERA. Seven was the most he struck out in a game, and he surrendered at least one walk in all 11 of his starts.
But Sunday was surely different. He found a rhythm and never got out of it. He got out of a first inning jam after surrendering a double to Mike Yastrzemski by getting the next two batters out. Ross got through clean the next three innings before giving up a two-out single to Donovan Solano in the fifth.
Joe Ross then struck out Steven Duggar on the next three pitches. In the sixth Ross got around a one-out double by Mike Tauchman. He got around a one-out single in the seventh. And then again a one-out double in the eight. The Giants made contact throughout the game. However, Ross battled through without getting in dire trouble.
Ross’ longest outing in four years came at a perfect time for the Nationals. They’re bullpen is banged up and overtaxed. Daniel Hudson (right elbow inflammation) was placed on the 10-day IL on Saturday. The team has had to shuffle through the weekend with Max Scherzer leaving Friday’s start after 12 pitches, and the team filling in Saturday’s doubleheader with the bullpen.
Hopefully, this isn’t just a flash for Ross. Maybe this is a start of him getting back in the groove for the first time since tearing his UCL in 2017. The Nationals surely hope so.
The win moves the Nats 27-35 on the season. They’re currently in last place of the NL East and 7.5 games back. With the July 31 trade deadline gradually approaching, Washington is running out of time before the club has to decide are they sellers or not.
