Left-hander goes deep against Yankees, Mets
The bright spots are so rare that the Nationals cling to them like a life raft. In the midst of a turbulent, troubled season, none shines brighter than the pitching of left-hander John Lannan, who on Wednesday put together another brilliant performance — this time on the road at raucous, intimidating Yankee Stadium.
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Lannan pitched into the ninth inning, helping Washington to a nerve wracking 3-2 victory. He allowed just four hits and walked one batter. It was the same formula he used in a complete-game win over the New York Mets two weeks ago — work quickly, make the opposition put the ball in play and head back to the dugout. Lannan has struck out only eight batters in his last three starts, but has won them all to improve to 4-5.
“I’ve been trying to completely forget about my last starts,” Lannan said last week after allowing two runs in six innings against the Cincinnati Reds. “That was my problem last year — I’d have two good starts and then have a bad one. This year I need to stay more consistent and keep us in the ballgame as much as possible.”
Indeed, these are heady times for the Long Beach, N.Y.-native, who was pitching in his hometown for the second time this season. But a game against the Yankees was different. That was the club Lannan grew up rooting for. The chant of “Let’s go Yankees” that rained upon him from the stands in the ninth inning was the same one he would yell while going to games with his dad, Ed, in the late 1990s.
“[Yankee] Stadium is where it all started for me as a young kid,” said Lannan, who used his sinker and fastball to force New York into grounder after grounder. “That was a great experience.”
The 11th-round draft pick from Sienna never imagined he would share that same stage. But here he is. Ten times this season Lannan has allowed three runs or less in a game. But his recent run of three starts has stood out — 23 1/3 innings, three earned runs, six walks, 13 hits. His ERA for the season has plummeted to 3.38, which ranks 26th in the majors, and he has induced 11 double plays, tied for third overall.
“It really shows still that the best pitch in the game is a first-pitch fastball well located, especially if it’s for a strike,” said Nats manager Manny Acta. “[Lannan] threw 80 fastballs [against the Yankees]. He was fantastic.”
bmcnally@washingtonexaminer.com
