Evan Habeeb-USPRESSWIRE
Washington Nationals left handed pitcher John Lannan had a rough night against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Wednesday. With Washington having a chance to clinch a playoff spot, he lasted only 3 2/3 innings, while giving up six runs on eight hits and two walks. After getting through the first inning Lannan never looked comfortable on the mound.
Of course Lannan was brought up from the minor leagues to take the place of right hander Stephen Strasburg. Strasburg was shut down after pitching 159 1/3 innings as the team is trying to protect his arm after 2009 Tommy John surgery. If Lannan ‘s struggles continue the critics will come out in full force in their defense that Strasburg should still be pitching.
If it is one thing that we should all learn from sports, it is to let things play out. Often we look at the immediate, and think it is not going to change. We see outfielder Matt Kemp get off to a hot start for the Dodgers and give him the NL Most Valuable Player Award in April. We see first baseman Albert Pujols struggle with the Los Angeles Angels in April and wonder if he has lost it. How are both of those situations looking now?
Sure, Lannan had a rough go of it Wednesday night. It was only his fourth major league start of the season. He was dueling against the Dodgers ace Josh Beckett so knew that there was very little room for error. He knew there was a chance to make history by winning the game that clinched Washington’s first trip to the playoffs. Maybe this made him a little nervous. Maybe he was too pumped up.
However, this was only one game. Every pitcher who has ever taken the mound has pitched a bad game or two. Some are able to work through it and keep a game close. Last night Lannan was not and manager Davey Johnson gave him an early hook. The Nationals saved Lannan from a loss with a dramatic six run eighth inning which tied the game. They went down to a 7-6 defeat as Kemp hit a solo homer for the Dodgers in the top of the ninth.
If, and when, the Nationals clinch a playoff spot, they can let Lannan work out the kinks. It is better to have him pitch a clunker, or two, now rather than later. If he does not get it together then the team will probably go with a four man post season rotation of Gio Gonzalez, Jordan Zimmerman, Edwin Jackson and Ross Detwiler. They may do this anyway.
Whatever Washington chooses to do let’s let things play out before deciding if Lannan is or isn’t the answer. He has plenty of experience and has proven himself at the big league level.
Wednesday night may have been rough for Lannan, but there is still a lot of baseball to play.
