Making his first appearance with the Washington Nationals, reliever Tanner Rainey delivered a good first impression. The 26-year old got through his first inning with Washington without allowing a run. He concluded the frame with a filthy-looking 98-mph fastball that got Mets’ outfielder Carlos Gomez to whiff to end the sixth inning.
The movement on the ball on the outside of the plate puzzled Gomez, who appeared to try to check his swing but it was too late.
“That was a weird, uncertain, strange swing,” MASN commentator Bob Carpenter proclaimed after Gomez struck out.
The Nationals acquired Rainey in a December trade from the Cincinnati Reds for Tanner Roark.
Rainey was called out last week after the club placed reliever Justin Miller on the 10-day injured list.
If Rainey can consistently deliver that type of precision and control, his stay in the majors may be extended. It’s only one outing, but the clean frame and highlight-worthy strikeout is a breath of fresh air compared to what the Nationals have got out of their woeful bullpen thus far this season.
