Clippard's Star Rising

ATLANTA, Oct. 2 -- This year, Tyler Clippard has transformed from a flawed starting pitcher into a reliever. He has transformed from a minor leaguer into a major leaguer. He has transformed from a green rookie into, perhaps, the Washington Nationals' most reliable bullpen man.

For all the upheaval in Washington's bullpen this year, Clippard has developed into a dependable option. He is now trusted for multiple innings in the Nationals' closest games. He'll be asked to do the same in 2010.

"I've gotten real comfortable with [relief pitching], just because it's the role I've been in all year," Clippard, 24, said. "But you're right, it's just my first year doing it.

"So it's kind of been a quick transition. It's like, dang, I was a starter just a year ago.

"But obviously it's been a good thing."

Only a year ago, Clippard was a starter who walked too many, threw too many pitches and fell behind a pack of other back-of-the-rotation prospects.

The front office, in spring training, decided to set Clippard on a different path. Clippard still walks too many batters-- 32 in 58 1/3 innings this year -- but he makes up for it with power. This year, he's stuck out 65, and opponents are hitting just .172 against him.

Promoted on June 24 from Class AAA Syracuse, Clippard, at least statistically, has become one of the National League's most utilized and dominant relievers. Among pitchers who've appeared strictly in relief, Clippard leads the majors in innings pitched (51 1/3 ) and strikeouts (58) since the all-star break. And his 2.78 ERA is lowest on the team -- among 30 pitchers.

"He's still a work in progress," interim manager Jim Riggleman said. "He's got to get a little better at commanding his fastball, but he's really a rare exception" to put up good numbers in spite of that. "So that just shows you the quality of his other pitches."

Clippard is clear about his ambitions. One day, he'd like to become a closer.

"Absolutely. I'd love to be able to close," Clippard said. "But at this point in my career, I'm a young guy in the big leagues.

"I want to be in the big leagues first and foremost, whatever that means. But do I think I can close? Absolutely."

Game Still On Fox

Even though Atlanta has been eliminated from playoff contention, Saturday's 4:10 p.m. game still will be shown on Fox (WTTG Channel 5 locally). . . .

Closer Mike MacDougal is dealing with soreness in his upper right leg, and the team would like to limit his work. That's why MacDougal came on with two outs in the bottom of the ninth in Thursday's 2-1 game, rather than starting the inning.