It was perfectly clear that Garrett Mock’s first stint with the Nationals would be brief.
The 25-year-old Texan arrived in Washington on Saturday from AAA Columbus to make a spot start against the San Francisco Giants. Mock’s locker didn’t even have a name tag above it and he was told by general manager Jim Bowden that even a perfect game wouldn’t be enough to keep him up.
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But the length of stay didn’t matter much to Mock, who was optioned back to Columbus after his major-league debut. All he wanted was to give the Nats a chance to win and convince club officials he’s ready to pitch in D.C. for good.
It didn’t quite work out that way. Mock allowed seven hits and was charged with four runs — all in the fifth inning — as he tired in the merciless heat at Nationals Park. That was enough for San Francisco, which held on for its third consecutive victory of the series, 6-3.
“I wasn’t near as nervous as I thought I was going to be,” said Mock, acquired from Arizona along with Matt Chico in a trade for Livan Hernandez in 2006. “But on the business side of things, if the team gives you a three-run lead you don’t go out and walk a couple of guys in the fifth inning.”
After four scoreless, Mock walked three Giants batters in the fifth, including one with the bases loaded, and committed a balk. Reliever Saul Rivera then allowed a two-run single and an RBI infield hit. Nats outfielder Lastings Milledge was 2-for-4 with a solo home run and an RBI single.
