Irvin shows poise, goes long for 1st MLB win
SAN FRANCISCO — Jake Irvin had 5 days to let the novelty sink in. Since his Major League debut final Wednesday at Nationals Park, he traveled with the group to Phoenix after which on to San Francisco, the place he took the mound on Monday for his second large league begin.
Irvin pitched like somebody who had been there earlier than, en path to his first large league win.
“Same 60 feet, 6 inches,” Irvin, 26, stated. “But definitely a different atmosphere — you don’t have the crowd behind you. But that’s kind of what the Minor Leagues is for, I think. You kind of feel that on the way up and you learn a lot about that. So same thing: Just keep making pitches.”
The right-hander hurled a career-high 6 1/3 innings — probably the most he had thrown on any stage — within the Nationals’ 5-1 victory over the Giants on Monday at Oracle Park. He was in command with 4 hits, no runs, three walks and 5 strikeouts throughout 92 pitches (54 strikes).
“I think the biggest thing is he used his fastball well,” stated supervisor Dave Martinez. “He threw a few more changeups — the changeup was really, really effective today. [He was] landing his curveball for a strike, which he’s worked on and he did it well today.”
Irvin is simply the second Nationals pitcher to achieve the seventh-inning mark this season, becoming a member of veteran southpaw Patrick Corbin (seven frames on May 4 vs. the Cubs). Ranked because the Nats’ No. 20 prospect by MLB Pipeline, he is also the fourth rookie within the Majors to throw no less than 6 1/3 innings with out giving up a run this yr.
“He’s got a lot of poise,” stated Martinez. “[He] doesn’t let anything rattle him, and he just tries to attack the strike zone.”
Martinez made the decision to the bullpen for reliever Carl Edwards Jr. after Irvin allowed a one-out single and a stroll. Edwards prevented the runners from scoring, and Irvin’s ERA dropped to 0.84.
“He wasn’t laboring … mechanics were good,” Martinez stated. “I said, ‘He’s got to learn; he’s got to learn how to go deep in games,’ and I thought he did a good job. He got two guys on, and I thought that was perfect.”
Irvin was referred to as as much as the Nats from Triple-A final Wednesday after beginning right-hander Chad Kuhl was positioned on the 10-day injured listing due to proper foot metatarsalgia on May 1 (retroactive to April 30). Irvin allowed two hits, one run and 4 walks with three strikeouts over 81 pitches (45 strikes) towards the Cubs. Since then, Irvin targeted on consistency, getting forward of batters, profitable 1-1 counts and placing opponents away.
“[He was] throwing more strikes than last time,” stated catcher Keibert Ruiz. “He was making pitches when we needed to, a couple ground balls for double plays helped us there, so that’s good for him.”
Irvin lauded Ruiz for being a “calming presence” in his debut, and the pair has continued to develop a chemistry prior to now week. Together, they achieved the Nationals’ aim of Irvin reaching 90 pitches.
“He calls a fantastic game,” stated Irvin. “Having him back there and knowing that he knows exactly what the plan is going into these starts and the way that he prepares himself, it gives me a lot of confidence and makes it a heck of a lot easier for me to make pitches.”
Irvin is realizing the aim that started when the Nationals chosen him within the fourth spherical of the 2018 Draft. He’s showcasing his potential, 3,000 miles away from D.C.
“I absolutely loved watching him pitch, I really did,” stated Martinez. “I enjoyed it very much. For a second start, he did really well.”
