Nelson keys 3rd straight series win with efficient execution of game plan

WASHINGTON -- After watching the previous two games from the dugout, D-backs right-hander Ryne Nelson knew what to expect from the Nationals when he took the mound Thursday afternoon for the series finale at Nationals Park.

The Nationals don’t go to the plate looking to work deep counts. They go up there hacking.

When a team does that and an opposing pitcher executes his game plan it can lead to what happened Thursday, quick innings with minimal pitches as it took Nelson just 70 pitches to get through seven innings as the D-backs captured the series with a 5-2 win.

“It's part of the game plan, knowing that they're going to be firing early,” D-backs manager Torey Lovullo said. “[You have to avoid] the middle of the zone and know where the hot zone is for each hitter and know who is an 0-0 swinger. You just have to avoid those fire spots, and if you do, you’re going to get some quick, easy outs -- and Ryne was able to do that today.”

Nelson allowed just three hits and did not walk a batter and has now allowed just three runs over his last two starts, a span of 13 innings. Two of the three hits that Nelson allowed were homers as Lane Thomas and Jesse Winker each hit solo shots.

“We didn't know if they were going to change that game plan or if they're going to stick to it,” Nelson said. “So it was just a lot about executing good pitches early in the counts and trying to get them to hit my pitch and get some quick outs. It ended up working.

"A lot of credit goes to [catcher Tucker Barnhart]. He did a great job back there today and [the] defense made some good plays for me, so it wasn't all what I was doing. I definitely missed a few spots and got away with some pitches. But, overall, I think that's exactly what you want on a really hot day -- some quick outs.”

It was a hot and muggy day, which is why Lovullo didn’t push Nelson past the seventh even with a manageable pitch count.

Speaking of hot, that’s what the D-backs are at the moment. They have won their last three series and are 12-6 over their last 18 games pulling them to within a game of .500 at 37-38. They haven’t been at the breakeven mark since they were 9-9 on April 16.

All three of the series wins came against teams with below .500 records in the Angels, White Sox and Nats. It was a softer portion of their schedule and they took advantage of it.

But the road gets tougher now starting Friday when they open a three-game series against the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. The Phillies have the best record in the National League and the second best in baseball at 49-25.

The last time the D-backs were in Philadelphia was for Game 7 of the National League Championship Series when Arizona beat the Phillies to advance to the World Series.

“I think we're looking forward to that,” Lovullo said of the series. “We know what happened there last time. I think they know what happened there the last time, but it's a totally different season. I think we'll have a certain energy about us playing in front of those amazing fans, those very intense fans. But you know, it's game one of the three-game series and we're not going to look past Game 1.”

Outfielder Jake McCarthy, who had three hits and scored a pair of runs Thursday, was injured during the playoffs last year, but did travel with the team so he knows what it’s like to play games in Philadelphia.

“I’m sure it'll be super cordial with a warm welcome,” the Scranton native said with a smile. “It’s always a tough place to play. You can really sense it. It doesn’t matter if it’s October or June, [the fans] are going to bring it and, you know, we’ll try to have some fun.”