Washington
Nationals

Nationals Team Report

Updated: May 26, 2012 08:12 EST

There was a lot of chatter during spring training about Chien-Ming Wang being the Nationals fifth starter and Ross Detwiler possibly pitching out of the bullpen.

With Wang recovering and finally healthy after a hamstring injury, the roles were reversed for the first month and a half of the season.

But recently, Detwiler has struggled with control issues. In his last three games prior to Friday, Detwiler had a 7.31 ERA. Detwiler has said before, he had to get his pitch count down early. That did not happen. On Friday, Detwiler threw 100 pitches in just 4 1/3 innings.

Shortstop Ian Desmond went to the mound to talk to Detwiler and knew something was wrong.

"I just tried to calm him down," Desmond said. "He was just a little fired up. I think he was hungry to go after the Braves, (it is) a big series for us. Regardless, I thought he did a good job. He tried to fight his way out of that fifth, just couldn't get enough. We walked away with the 'W' so that is all that really matters."

With a four-run cushion, manager Davey Johnson was looking for Detwiler to attack the hitters, but it didn't happen like he wanted it to.

"I was a little disappointed in Det," Johnson said. "He didn't take charge and go after them. He had good stuff. It was a tough hook for me."

Detwiler was replaced by Wang, who made his Nationals 2012 debut by going three innings, allowing three hits and just one run on a Jason Heyward solo homer, picking up the victory. His last win in 2011 was also against the Atlanta Braves.

"I had Chien-Ming Wang up for a couple of innings so I figured if I am going to use him, I better use him now," Johnson said. "He threw the ball very well. It is not easy coming out of the pen."

So, with Detwiler seemingly slumping and Wang firing three shutout frames, should manager Davey Johnson make Wang the fifth starter and put Detwiler in the bullpen?

"I don't make any decisions (like that) right after a ball game," Johnson said. "Emotions are running pretty high. Det has been outstanding all year long. We will worry about that later. I am not going to make any decision tonight."

--3B Ryan Zimmerman had a pair of extra-base hits, including a game-clinching three-run double in the seventh. The biggest hit of the night came after the Braves decided to walk Bryce Harper in front of the veteran. He had come in with just eight extra-base hits on the season and was able to raise his average to .256.

--CF Rick Ankiel had a huge game Friday, going 2-for-4 with a two-run triple to left center in a four-run first inning. Ankiel doubled his output on the road trip, after going just 2-for-11 (.182) in Philadelphia.

--RHP Tyler Clippard came on in the ninth inning Friday for his second straight save opportunity and delivered with a workmanlike 1-2-3 inning, including two strikeouts. He now has three saves in his career.

--RF Bryce Harper had a single and two runs scored, plus a critical walk in the seventh. Harper's patience against the Braves starter Tim Hudson induced a walk and opened the door for Ryan Zimmerman's three-run double. Harper is 6-for-15 (.400) through four games of the road trip.

--LHP Sean Burnett finished off the eighth inning, surrendering one hit but striking out one and allowing no runs. Burnett's ERA falls to 0.68.

BY THE NUMBERS: 9-4 -- The Nationals record against N.L. East opponents so far this season. The Nationals are 3-1 on this nine-game road swing against all N.L. East teams, facing Philadelphia, Atlanta and Miami.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "The next few days are not going to be easy so it was nice to get that first win out of the way." -- Nationals SS Ian Desmond, on beating Tim Hudson and the Braves to open the weekend series, before traveling to Miami Monday.

MEDICAL WATCH:

--RHP Ryan Mattheus (plantar fasciitis in left foot) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to May 21. He is expected to be able to return in early June.

--LF Michael Morse (strained right lat muscle) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 26. He made rehab appearances for Class AA Harrisburg and Class A Hagerstown in early April before he was shut down. He headed to the Nationals' Viera, Fla., complex for rehab at-bats May 21 as he recovers. June 1 is a possible return date for Morse.

--C Wilson Ramos (torn ACL in right knee) went on the 15-day disabled list May 13, and he was transferred to the 60-day DL on May 15. He said May 16 that he is done for the season.

--C Sandy Leon (high right ankle sprain) went on the 15-day disabled list May 15.

--RF Jayson Werth (broken left wrist) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to May 7. He underwent surgery May 7 and will be out until mid- to late July.

--RHP Brad Lidge (abdominal strain) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to April 22. He had sports hernia surgery April 30. He threw off a mound May 23 for the first time since the operation. He will report to Viera, Fla., for extended spring training games. He hopes to return in mid-June.

--3B Mark DeRosa (oblique strain) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to April 28.

--RHP Drew Storen (inflamed right elbow) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 26. He underwent surgery April 11 to remove a bone chip, and he might not return until after the All-Star break.

--1B Chris Marrero (hamstring surgery in November 2011) went on the 60-day disabled list April 3.

--RHP Cole Kimball (right shoulder surgery in July 2011) went on the 60-day disabled list April 3. He is expected to miss at least the first half of the season.

ROTATION:

RHP Stephen Strasburg

LHP Gio Gonzalez

RHP Jordan Zimmermann

RHP Edwin Jackson

LHP Ross Detwiler

BULLPEN:

RHP Tyler Clippard

RHP Henry Rodriguez

LHP Sean Burnett

LHP Tom Gorzelanny

RHP Craig Stammen

RHP Ryan Perry

RHP Chien-Ming Wang

CATCHERS:

Jesus Flores

Carlos Maldonado

INFIELDERS:

1B Adam LaRoche

2B Danny Espinosa

SS Ian Desmond

3B Ryan Zimmerman

INF Steve Lombardozzi

INF Chad Tracy

INF/OF Tyler Moore

OUTFIELDERS:

LF Roger Bernadina

CF Rick Ankiel

RF Bryce Harper

OF Xavier Nady