In Friday's 12-2 loss to the Phillies, there were plenty of facets in the Nationals' game that didn't go well. The starting pitching was unable to get through five innings. The offense put together only two runs, going 1-for-7 with runners in scoring position. And the bullpen allowed six runs on eight hits, including two homers, with four walks and six strikeouts.
Left-hander Sammy SolÃs was able to put away the first two hitters in the eighth. But then a walk opened the door to a three-run eighth inning. The Phillies ended up scoring four runs in the final two frames.
SolÃs on the walk to Rhys Hoskins: "Yeah, that's like the ultimate no-no. You get two quick outs like that and you got to go right after them. Even leave one over the middle of the plate rather than walk someone, you know, take your chances. Give them a free ride and things happen just like they did tonight."
Odúbel Herrera then singled. SolÃs walked Carlos Santana. Nick Williams then provided a two-run single. A wild pitch allowed Santana to score. "You just go about your business," SolÃs said. "These things happen. Two quick outs like that, couple seeing eye singles, a walk, and now we got three runs on the board. You can't think about it too much. Because this stuff does happen and it's a long season and you just go out and go get them tomorrow."
This was unusual breakdown for SolÃs, especially after the two quick outs. He said after the game he believes he knows what was causing him problems: a slight issue with his mechanics. "I think it was more so maybe a little mechanical inconsistency," SolÃs said. "You saw the wild pitch on the changeup away. Fastball kind of flying off of it, pulling it inside on righties, so watch a little video and get back to work tomorrow."
SolÃs was getting a lot of work at the beginning of the season as Martinez relied on the southpaw because of other bullpen inconsistencies and injuries. But with Justin Miller, Tim Collins and now Kelvin Herrera added to the pen, the responsibility for SolÃs has slowed a bit. Solis said he doesn't believe fatigue is a factor from that early big workload from the first two months of the season.
"I feel good," SolÃs said. "Obviously, my work load was a little heavier earlier in the season so it's a little tough to stay mechanically consistent when I'm not off the mound so much. That's a big thing right now but that's on me to figure that out and be ready to compete every day."