HOUSTON – Manager Dave Martinez remembers the conversation he had with Patrick Corbin the last time the southpaw pitched at Minute Maid Park.

“Can you go back out?”

“Yep.”

“Can you go back out?”

“Yep.”

“Can you go back out?”

“Nope.”

“OK," Martinez said with a laugh.

The recollected exchange took place on Oct. 30, 2019, when Corbin pitched three scoreless innings out of the bullpen in the Nationals' historic Game 7 win over the Astros. Corbin earned the "W" as Washington captured its first World Series championship.

Four years later, the Nationals made their first return to Houston and Minute Maid Park since the 2019 World Series in the Nationals' 6-1 loss to the Astros.

Corbin is the only remaining player from the title squad on the Nats’ active roster. Center fielder Victor Robles is on a rehab assignment in Triple-A. Fittingly, Corbin got the start in the series opener on Tuesday night.

“It seems like it was yesterday,” Corbin said. “It went by really quick. But it’s something that I’ll always remember, and that experience is unlike anything else.”

Tuesday, Corbin (4-7) allowed two runs off four hits, two homers, five walks (season-high) and five strikeouts across five frames.

“Walking in, you bring back a little bit [of memories], and guys were talking a little bit,” Corbin said. “Maybe tomorrow I’ll think about it a little bit more. But once you’re out in the field, you kind of lock it in and try to do your job.”

Following his 14th start of the season, Corbin reflected on being tasked to work out of the ‘pen in 2019. He became the first pitcher in Major League history to make three starts and five relief appearances in a postseason.

“I just remember basically the whole playoffs kind of heading down in the bullpen and trying to just be available,” he said. “But those are games you play for. It’s why you work so hard in the offseason, the regular season to get in games like that.”

Corbin’s multi-faceted role culminated in Game 7 with three innings of clutch pitching in relief of Max Scherzer: two hits, no runs, no walks, three strikeouts. That set the stage for Daniel Hudson to close out the 2019 World Series with a swing-and-miss against Michael Brantley that lives in franchise lore.

“That last out, finally getting it done [stands out],” Corbin said. “It was such an incredible season for us, a long season as well. We were pretty much drained after that, just how long the season was. But it’s something I’ll always remember. To win a world championship’s very hard in this league. So hopefully the guys in this clubhouse have a chance to experience that.”

In the seasons since, Corbin has experienced ups and downs on the mound. His ERA rose from 3.25 in 2019 to 5.82 and 6.31 in ‘21 and ‘22, respectively. This season, the veteran holds a 4.81 ERA, is pitching deeper into games (six-plus innings in nine of his starts) and is limiting opponents to under a .300 batting average.  

Corbin still carries the lessons learned and experiences gained from delivering in Game 7 years later. 

“I’ve always had confidence whenever my name’s called to go out there and get the job done,” he said. “So just being prepared and being available is kind of what I like to do as a starter and be out there every fifth day, have the manager be able to rely on me and kind of that situation – whatever you want, I’ll be ready for.”