The Best Pitcher Not in Washington

The press in Altoona, PA were so thick they were sticking to the grill of your car, as Stephen Strasburg–who Keith Law calls Washington’s best pitcher–debuted in the Allegheny foothills.  The real best pitcher in Washington was in New York tossing a seven inning shutout against the Mets as Livan Hernandez crafted a masterpiece that brought the Nationals record back to even at 3 wins, 3 losses in the NL East. 

The Altoona Curve play in a stadium that is PNC Park in Pittsburgh in miniature. There was nothing miniature about the expectations for Stephen Strasburg as he cranked up his 97 mph fastball in the first inning.  He was impressive but gave up some hard line drive hits including two in the first frame that plated a run.

He had as much success with the bat as he did on the mound.  In the middle of the fifth-inning rally that put Strasburg’s Harrisburg Senators back in the game, he slapped a double over the right fielder’s head to knock in a run.  He scored the third run moments later and went on to win his to first pro start 6-4.

In 2005 Livan Hernandez was the best pitcher the first-year Nationals had and a pretty fair hitter himself.  Hernandez was an All-Star that season and still ranks as the best pitcher the franchise has ever seen, though it has been a dismal lot.  The word this spring was that Hernandez reported in better shape than anyone had seen him in years.  You could see the difference today in New York City.

Hernandez did not feature the 96-98 mph fastball and he did not get embarrassing swings and misses.  He struck out only a single batter, but somehow managed to keep the Mets from scoring a single run until he left the game at the end of seven innings.  The 5-0 lead was good enough for even the Nationals bullpen who nailed down the win, 5-2.

It may seem an insignificant accomplishment and few in the sports world will give Livan his due.  But the last time the Washington Nationals were a .500 team during the regular season was April 5, 2006.  Nick Johnson and Ryan Zimmerman had home runs as the Nationals beat the Mets in the second game of that season. Washington’s record stood at one win and one loss.  From that point onward, the Nationals have never gotten close to .500.

The national press were all over the Strasburg start because five years from now it could have far more importance to the Nationals and baseball than a forgotten April start by Livan Hernandez.  But for today it was the old Livan Hernandez, the old magic of a forgotten team from Montreal that was beating everyone in sight. For today, Livan Hernandez was the best pitcher the Nationals have got and the best one they have ever had.  I am going to enjoy watching him for the next few months as everyone waits to see if Stephen Strasburg can carry his lingerie.