Corbin limits damage, eyes first-inning tweaks after loss to D-backs

WASHINGTON -- By the end of his outing against Arizona, Patrick Corbin had limited the damage of a season-high 11 hits allowed to only three runs scored while completing six innings.

Through his first 13 starts this season, the veteran southpaw (4-6) has shown areas of improvement from his previous struggles. The next step in continuing on a turnaround year is cutting back on early runs.

The three runs Corbin gave up in Wednesday night's 6-2 loss to the D-backs at Nationals Park were scored in the first frame by the first three batters. He also surrendered three runs in the first inning in his last start on May 31 against the Dodgers.

“This is something that we’ve talked to him about,” said manager Dave Martinez. “They’re going to come out and attack him because they know he’s going to be around the plate. He’s going to throw strikes.

"It’s something that we’ll probably have to make an adjustment with him. Maybe throw more offspeed pitches, don’t attack with the fastball so early and just try to get him out of the first inning [unscathed].”

Corbin pitched for Arizona from 2012-18, and his former team was very familiar. Ketel Marte sparked the D-backs’ offense with a first-pitch leadoff double. Then, Corbin Carroll singled on a bunt and stole second. Emmanuel Rivera plated Marte and Carroll with a double, and he was driven in two batters later by an Evan Longoria double.

“[I’ve] been getting ahead with breaking balls all year,” Corbin said. “You throw a first-pitch [sinker], [Marte] puts a good swing on it -- wasn’t bad location -- and then a bunt single [from Carroll] so I’m already kind of in a hole there.

"Maybe [I was] trying to be a little bit too fine. But also, [I'm] mixing it up, trying to locate better, and I think maybe throwing some more fastballs inside could have been another thing.”

Those early runs put the Nationals -- who entered the night 6-24 when their opponent scores first -- in a quick deficit.

"I think we made a statement early,” said D-backs manager Torey Lovullo. “[Corbin] can get moving in a very positive direction and make it tough on you. Our guys were ready. Guys were ready to counter-punch anything that he was going to do early, and it worked out.

“I thought [Marte's] double into right-center field really made a statement that we're ready to go. And [Corbin] did settle down. He went six innings and did his job, but I felt like we were ready for the game plan and did a good job."

Corbin’s final pitching line included three runs on 11 hits, one walk and four strikeouts. He delivered 61 of his 98 pitches for strikes.

“Today was just one of those games where it seemed like anything away, they kind of slapped it the other way or hit it hard the other way,” said Corbin.

“That’s why I bring [up] maybe commanding inside a little bit better. But they know me pretty well over there, they came out swinging. … It’s not ideal to give up 11 hits, but you just try to battle and minimize damage, and we were able to do that.”

Corbin’s ERA has dropped from 6.31 in 2022 to 4.89 this season. Of his 40 earned runs allowed, 11 have been given up in the first inning, compared to four in the second, six in the third, seven in the fourth, one in the fifth, six in the sixth, three in the seventh and two in the eighth.

“You try to repeat everything,” said Corbin. “It’s not that I’m not warmed up or ready to go there in the first. Today, you’re two pitches in and you’ve got a couple of guys on. Sometimes, you throw a first-pitch strike and they get out.

"But you forget about it, you try to pitch deep into games. Being able to get through six today after giving up three, it was big to save some of those arms down there [in the bullpen]."

In spite of early scoring, Corbin has pitched six innings or more in nine starts this season. His 73 2/3 innings thrown this year in 13 starts are already nearly half of his 2022 total (152 2/3 innings in 31 starts).

“That guy picks up the ball every fifth day and grinds them out,” said Lane Thomas. “I know he has all the respect of the guys in this clubhouse, and we love when he’s pitching. He works quickly and he gets outs. I think he’s going to keep doing that, so hopefully, we can score some runs for him next time.”