WASHINGTON -- It has been an up-and-down few months for the Nationals’ bullpen as the team seeks to generate some momentum coming out of the All-Star break.
One arm that has been consistent recently out of the 'pen has been right-hander Brad Lord.
In his last 22 games, Lord has fired 31 innings to a 1.74 ERA, recording quick outs and soft contact for a .165 BAA on top of 28 strikeouts.
Meanwhile, Japanese left-hander Shinnosuke Ogasawara, who stepped into the fifth starter role after being recalled from Triple-A Rochester on July 6, was hit hard in his two starts before the All-Star break against the Red Sox and Brewers. He lasted a combined 6 2/3 frames, allowing seven runs on 11 hits, three doubles and a home run for a 9.45 ERA. He was sent back to Triple-A on July 12.
Interim manager Miguel Cairo had time during the break to find a solution for the fifth starter role. He decided it was time to give Lord another shot.
"We are going to stretch him out,” Cairo said. “We see him as a really good starter, too. It will be a good opportunity for him to start games and help us out in the starting rotation."
In his six starts this season, Lord has pitched to a 1-4 record and a 4.44 ERA in 26 1/3 frames. As a reliever, he has a 2.79 ERA in 38 2/3 innings. Those first few starts did not go as well as Lord had hoped, but he has taken notes while looking back at video and recalling how he felt.
"I definitely think it will be easier this time around,” Lord said. "I've already done it once, so [I will] take what I learned from that into this. It was workload management. Have to increase the volume of throws to get myself built back up."
The 25-year-old will be stretched out to most likely 45-50 pitches. He believes he can take his most recent hot streak -- and his recent multi-inning usage -- into Washington’s game against Cincinnati on Tuesday and keep rolling from there.
"It feels good,” Lord said of the Nationals’ trust in him to be a starter. “I'm just grateful for the opportunity to start again. Looking forward to building up and seeing what I can do.
"I still want to take that same mindset as a reliever, come in and throw it as hard as you can. Don't hold nothing back and post zeros."