For Nats, Long Shots Hitting Spots

Except in the case of Hill, who keeps his wry, student-of-the-game demeanor under an expressionless exterior on the mound. His compact, balanced, bland delivery is the perfect contrast to O'Connor's eccentric, herky-jerky, across-the-body motion. O'Connor looks like a piece of broken farm machinery, Hill like an instructional film at three-quarter speed.

"I just try to keep hitters off-balance, mix it up and mess with guys' timing," O'Connor said. "I'm surprised a little at how I've done. A lot of hitters say they have a tough time seeing the ball against me."

Actually, both O'Connor and Hill may have better stuff than they've been given credit for. Their pitches have exceptional movement, especially late movement as opposed to pure velocity. And both have been forced to become crafty pitchers at an early age. In 50 1/3 innings, O'Connor has allowed only 36 hits, one of the best ratios in baseball.

"I don't overpower anyone," Hill said. "But I also can't throw a ball straight. I throw two fastballs. One sinks. The other sinks more. I don't try to miss the bat. I look for contact." Just not solid contact.

Will O'Connor and Hill continue to succeed? No one knows. Nobody's ever said, "Can't miss," about either. Soon enough the hitters, not the radar guns, will reveal the truth. At least the pair will finally be judged by their results, not someone else's estimation of their potential. Whatever happens, the pair has already contributed enormously to the Nats' revived season.

Because of the unexpected duo, Patterson has not been rushed back into service. Due in part to the sanity they've restored to the rotation, the Nats have the best record in baseball since May 18 (17-8) and are now sixth in baseball in ERA. And because of the organizational value and flexibility they've added, new trade opportunities are materializing rapidly.

When Patterson returns, perhaps Saturday, the Nats will have six able starters. At that point, Hill may go to long relief or to the minors to stay sharp. When Astacio returns in July, the Nats could even have seven starters. Who'd have dreamed it?

If the Nats had trade possibilities before O'Connor and Hill emerged, the list of options is so long now it's silly. Ramon Ortiz and Tony Armas Jr. are pitching well, but both will be free agents after the season. The better O'Connor and Hill look, the more tempted the Nats may be to trade Ortiz, 33, who won two postseason starts for the '02 world champion Angels.

A team that was out of choices six weeks ago suddenly has options. And two rookie pitchers have the kind of opportunity that some doubted they'd ever get. Finally, they're in the majors, where results are deemed real, not mere minor league mirages.

"People are always watching you, always evaluating," said O'Connor, pleased at the thought. "So, just go pitch."