Former Washington Nationals pitcher Ross Detwiler took the mound Monday, making his 38th career start at Nats Park. This time he was a member of the Miami Marlins. Unfortunately for him he was greeted with a rude welcome by his former team.
The Nationals smacked four home runs and scored eight runs off Detwiler in the first two innings. Juan Soto and Josh Bell went back-to-back in the first inning off the left-handed hurler.
For Soto it was his fourth home run since the All-Star break. He’s been dispelling the myth that participating in the home run derby messes up a batter’s swing. If anything it’s improved it, as the 22-year old is getting back in the rhythm of lifting the ball.
The Nationals’ onslaught of Detwiler carried over in the second-inning.
First, young catcher Tres Barrera hit his first career homer leading off the second.
Detwiler struggles continued. He gave up a single to opposing pitcher Jon Lester. Then he hit Sunday night’s hero Alcides Escobar. That’s when Trea Turner made him pay. Turner, who hit a triple in the first inning setting up Soto’s two-run homer, hit a three-run blast to left field.
That extended the Nationals lead to 8-0. It was enough for Marlins manager Don Mattingly to hook Detwiler off the mound. Detwiler did not record an out in inning. In all he faced 11 batters and recorded three outs. He allowed eight runs off seven hits and four home runs and also hit a batter on 38 pitches.
The Nationals went on to rout the Marlins 18-1 for their second straight win.
Ross Detwiler was once a highly-touted prospect. The Nationals selected him sixth overall in the 2007 MLB Draft. From 2007-2014 Detwiler had an up-and-down tenure with the Nationals before he was traded to the Texas Rangers following the 2014 season.
He pitched in 132 games, starting 69 with the Nationals. He also started Game 4 of the 2012 NLDS for Washington. The Marlins are his seventh team he’s played for since leaving the Nationals.
