Ross, Nats’ bullpen combine for 1-hit shutout

PHOENIX -- Consider the debut of the new-look Nationals’ bullpen a success. In fact, it was perfect. And it could have nearly been the finishing touches of a no-hitter.

After Joe Ross tossed 5 1/3 innings of one-hit ball, four Washington relievers, including Trade Deadline acquisitions Roenis Elías and Hunter Strickland, combined to toss 3 2/3 perfect innings in a 3-0 victory over Arizona at Chase Field on Friday night. The D-backs’ only hit came on an infield single by starting pitcher Alex Young in the fifth.

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“One hit to the pitcher, kind of ironic, I guess,” Ross said.

But the Nationals’ bullpen made sure the D-backs didn’t get another.

Elias retired the two batters he faced in the sixth, before he left with a cramp sustained during a rare hitting appearance the next inning. Strickland followed with an impressive Nats debut of his own, retiring the D-backs in order with a pair of strikeouts and a groundout in the seventh.

“His slider was a lot crisper than I remember,” Washington manager Dave Martinez said of Strickland. “His fastball was electric, it really was.”

It wasn’t only a night for the newbies, however. Fernando Rodney and closer Sean Doolittle each worked a 1-2-3 inning in the eighth and ninth, respectively, to seal the victory.

While Daniel Hudson, another Trade Deadline acquisition, will also factor into the late-inning plans in the future, this game gave an idea of how Martinez could manage his bullpen in high-leverage situations moving forward. It also shows the depth the Nats now possess with multiple relievers who can be trusted to pitch in these spots.

“Very impressive,” Ross said. “[Strickland] coming in throwing 97, 98 [mph], that was cool to see. It’s good to see that the guys we just added contributed right away.”

With ace Max Scherzer (mild upper-back strain), Jeremy Hellickson (right shoulder strain) and Austin Voth (right shoulder tendinitis) all on the injured list, the Nats have turned to Ross to help fill the current void in their rotation.

Ross struggled in his first two showings after being recalled in July, allowing 10 runs over 10 innings. But he consistently avoided trouble vs. the D-backs, working around five walks and stranding runners on base in four of the first five innings.

“He fell behind a lot, but when he was able to throw strikes, he was effective,” Martinez said. “We talked after his last outing about his two-seamer and knowing when to throw his four-seamer, and he did that really well today. And then he started throwing his breaking balls a lot better.

“I told him, I said, ‘You pitched great. If you can pitch like that, compete, keep us in ballgames, that’s what we need.'”

The Nationals, who are tied with the Cubs atop the National League Wild Card standings, provided enough offense for Ross to earn his first victory since July 4, 2017.

After Howie Kendrick was a late scratch with leg cramps, Matt Adams found out he was starting at first base 10 minutes before the game. The left-handed hitter then came through with a big knock, hitting a two-out, two-run double off the lefty Young for Washington’s first runs in the sixth.

In the eighth, Juan Soto padded the lead with a two-out solo homer, his 21st of the season and fourth blast in his last five games. It was a towering shot that had a launch angle of 43 degrees and traveled a projected 359 feet, according to Statcast.

After a tough end to July, the Nationals had a strong all-around showing in their first game of August as they enter the final two months of the season competing for position in the NL playoff race. The only potential concern moving forward? Elias’ health.

Washington had a short bench with Kendrick unavailable, which led to the decision for Elias to bat in the seventh, with the idea being he’d come back out to the mound to open the bottom of the inning. Martinez told Elias not to swing, but the pitcher hit a grounder to second base and tried to leg out a hit, cramping up while running to first.

“We’ll see how he feels [Saturday],” Martinez said. “He was told not to swing about as many times as I could tell him, Spanish, English. But you can see, he’s a competitor. He said, ‘Sorry,’ to me, but I told him, ‘It’s part of the game. You’ll be fine, so don’t worry about it. But next time, just listen. You’re not here to hit, you’re here to pitch.’”

And Elias’ pitching, along with the performances by his teammates, was impressive -- and nearly hitless -- on Friday night.