NATIONALS NOTEBOOK
Patterson Finally Gets the Chance to Start Over
"It feels kind of like my first start of the year, I guess. . . . I really can't wait," said right-hander John Patterson, who last pitched for the Nats on April 21.
(By Joel Richardson -- The Washington Post)
TOOLBOX
   Resize
COMMENT
 Discussion Policy
 CLOSE
Comments that include profanity or personal attacks or other inappropriate comments or material will be removed from the site. Additionally, entries that are unsigned or contain "signatures" by someone other than the actual author will be removed. Finally, we will take steps to block users who violate any of our posting standards, terms of use or privacy policies or any other policies governing this site. Please review the full rules governing commentaries and discussions. You are fully responsible for the content that you post.
Who's Blogging  |
Friday, June 23, 2006
Most starting pitchers have made at least a dozen appearances this season, and they are in something of a rhythm. When John Patterson takes the mound tonight in Baltimore to face the Orioles, it will be a bit different.
"It feels kind of like my first start of the year, I guess," Patterson said. "There's some anticipation. I'm anxious to get on the mound. I'm feeling good. I feel better every day. I really can't wait."
Patterson, the Washington Nationals right-hander, hasn't pitched in the majors since April 21 because of forearm tendinitis, and the club sorely needs him to be at his best over the remainder of the season, which could mean 18 starts.
The Nationals' rotation, which was the primary reason the team went on a 17-7 spurt in late May and early June, is now something of a shambles. Tony Armas Jr., Livan Hernandez and Shawn Hill all lost games -- none of them completing six innings -- in Boston this week. Patterson, when healthy, has the potential to be the best starter on the staff.
The process of getting there, however, might take some more time. Patterson said he plans to throw about 90 pitches tonight, which he hopes will get him through seven innings. He said he was able to maintain his lower-body strength during his stint on the disabled list, but his conditioning will take some work.
"It's hard to maintain stamina when you're not pitching, so my first rehab start, I was a little bit winded," he said. "After that, I felt fine."
Patterson made three rehabilitation starts, two for Class A Potomac and one for Class AAA New Orleans. He went 1-0 with a 3.86 ERA with 32 strikeouts and five walks in 25 2/3 innings before going on the disabled list, and was coming off a 9-7 season in 2005, when he posted a 3.13 ERA.
0 for Boston
For the first time in this, his rookie season, third baseman Ryan Zimmerman went hitless in three straight games, an 0-for-12 series against the Red Sox.
"It happens to everybody," Zimmerman said.
Zimmerman hasn't had a hit since beating the New York Yankees with a homer in the bottom of the ninth inning on Sunday, dropping his average from .286 to .274.
"I'm just missing pitches," he said. "Hopefully, I can get a day of rest, get back to full strength. Twenty games in 20 days is a lot -- not that I was tired or anything, but maybe that's why you're just missing balls." . . .
After the Oriole "Bird" appeared at RFK Stadium during last month's series between the two teams, the Nationals' mascot, Screech, was invited to Camden Yards this weekend.
