NewsStammen gets second look at Mets
Washington (15-39) vs. New York (29-25), 1:35 p.m. ET
By Mark Selig / MLB.com
06/06/09 11:19 PM ET
WASHINGTON -- With just three big league starts to his name, Nationals rookie right-hander Craig Stammen will be facing a repeat club for the first time in his young career, when he takes the hill against former Washington righty Livan Hernandez and the Mets on Sunday. Often times, hitters are perplexed when they see a pitcher for the first time. But in his fourth start, Stammen will not have that luxury. "I'm not looking at it as the second time I'm facing them, because hopefully I stay here for a long time and I face them a lot more times," said Stammen, who gave up three runs on seven hits in a May 26 loss at Citi Field. "Every game is different when you're pitching." With a constantly-changing pitching staff, the Nationals have had little stability when it comes to their hurlers. If Stammen can solidify a spot, they may have found a bunch that can continue to start for the long haul. Surprisingly enough, the 25-year-old Stammen, whom the Nationals selected in the 12th round of the 2005 First-Year Player Draft, is the oldest member of a young rotation. No veteran, he is still learning on the job. "I've learned certain things from my first three starts, and hopefully I carry those things I learned and implement them in the game coming up," Stammen said, citing that he's realized how games can get away from a pitcher and that he needs to be able to slow the game down and dictate what pitches he should throw. Though former pitching coach Randy St. Claire was dismissed earlier this week, Stammen's transition process hasn't suffered, due to his familiarity with replacement Steve McCatty, who coached Stammen at Triple-A Syracuse last season. "[McCatty] did a great job with me in Triple-A the last month of last year and the first two months of this year," Stammen said. "He's really made me a 15 times better pitcher than what I was when I got to him." McCatty has a different approach than St. Claire -- focusing on the mental aspect of pitching more than game tapes and numbers. McCatty wants his pitchers to be accountable for what they throw, and not give up free bases by walking guys. Stammen, a sinker-based control pitcher, seems to be McCatty's type. "Sinkers are a very tough pitch to hit, and he has a good one," McCatty said. "He keeps the ball down, gets a lot of quick outs, a lot of ground balls -- gets the guys on their toes and ready to make plays." McCatty doesn't believe that Stammen has to make many adjustments in terms of facing a team for the second time compared to the first. Since there are so many scouting reports, teams are already somewhat familiar with a pitcher before they face him, the pitching coach said. But starts like Sunday's are what could dictate Stammen's value to the team moving forward. At the very least, Stammen has enjoyed his early stay in the big leagues. "It's not overwhelming, but it's not easy either," the righty said. "It's absolutely fun to go out and compete against the best hitters playing baseball." Pitching matchupNYM: RHP Livan Hernandez (4-1, 4.33 ERA)
If not for a bullpen meltdown Monday, Hernandez would have entered this start with a 5-1 record and this additional glitter on his 2009 resume: The Mets would have won five of his six most recent starts. Hernandez is not complaining. He's on something of a roll, and now he faces an opponent he beat May 26 in a complete game. Hernandez allowed nine hits and a walk, but only one run in that victory against the Nationals. His ERA in 35 innings on the road is 4.89. Right-handed hitters are batting .322 against him, while left-handed hitters are batting .289. WAS: RHP Craig Stammen (0-1, 5.71 ERA)
Stammen started for the Nationals on Tuesday and kept them in the game against the Giants. He lasted six innings and gave up five runs -- four earned -- on seven hits. He got off to a slow start by giving up a first-inning home run to leadoff hitter Aaron Rowand. After giving up a one-out double to Randy Winn in the same inning, Stammen retired 11 consecutive batters. Tidbits
Nick Johnson is hitting .348 with three home runs and 19 RBIs in his past 21 games. ... With a first-inning bomb off the facade in right-center field Saturday, Adam Dunn now has 17 home runs. Ryan Zimmerman is the only other Nationals player in double figures with 11. ... Anderson Hernandez leads Washington with five stolen bases. No one else on the team has more than three. ... Three pitchers have thrown complete games for the Nationals after John Lannan did so Saturday against the Mets. ... Austin Kearns is batting .444 with two home runs in 27 career at-bats against Hernandez. Tickets
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• Monday: Off-day
• Tuesday: Nationals (Jordan Zimmermann, 2-3, 5.71) vs. Reds (Johnny Cueto, 5-3, 2.43), 7:05 p.m. ET
• Wednesday: Nationals (TBD) vs. Reds (Aaron Harang, 5-6, 4.11), 7:05 p.m. ET
Mark Selig is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
