WASHINGTON – In the midst of playing 16 games in 16 days, the Nationals pushed their clubhouse report time back on Friday to create a semblance of an off-day following a Thursday matinee.
Manager Blake Butera noticed rookie starting pitcher Jackson Kent still showed up early. Kent’s responsibilities hadn’t changed, so neither did his preparation.
“I'm sure [Kent’s] just champing at the bit to get out there,” Butera said. “[I’ve learned] how badly he wants to compete, wants to win.”
By the time the clubhouse filled up later that afternoon, the Nationals’ No. 9 prospect was in game mode. And when the clock struck 6:45 p.m., he was ready.
Ready to throw 100-plus pitches and earn his first Major League win.
“Man, Jackson Kent,” said Butera. “What an outing.”
Kent completed seven innings of one-run baseball in the Nationals’ 9-2 victory over the Marlins at Nationals Park. In only his fourth big league appearance since debuting on Aug. 12, the left-hander hurled 106 pitches (64 strikes), allowed three hits, four walks and struck out three.
“It’s awesome,” said Kent. “It’s great to get my first win. Now we just build from there.”
Kent is just the third pitcher since the Nationals' move to D.C. (2005-present) to throw at least seven innings and give up fewer than three hits in one of his first four career games. That pitching line had only been achieved by Mitchell Parker on April 21, 2024, against the Astros, and Mike O’Connor on May 2, 2006, at the Mets.
“I think he’s one of those [players], he can just flip the switch and turn it on,” said catcher Harry Ford. “That’s definitely one of his gifts that he has.”
After giving up an RBI single to Xavier Edwards in the second inning, Kent kept the Marlins off the board the rest of his outing. Butera noticed Kent was dissatisfied when he allowed back-to-back walks in the sixth inning. But the rookie pitched his way out of a jam, and was able to return to the mound for the seventh with his pitch count still in the double-digits and his velocity still intact.
“I think what impressed me the most was how he was able to dig deep and reach back for more when he was approaching that 100 pitch count in a time where we really needed him to,” said Butera.
So, when pitching coach Simon Mathews made a mound visit in the seventh, Kent wasn’t ready to come out of the game yet. He had work to finish. Kent himself handled the groundout by Joe Mack to complete the inning.
“[Mathews] came back in and was like, ‘He absolutely did not want to come out of that game,’” said Butera. “That was impressive.”
Kent is the fifth Nationals starter to throw 100-plus pitches this season. Foster Griffin reached the mark six times prior to being traded to the Guardians, Cade Cavalli has done so three times, Jake Irvin has reached 100 pitches twice, and Zack Littell did it once before being designated for assignment.
“I want these guys to pitch,” said Butera. “I don’t like going out to the mound to get them. Usually, that means they’re not pitching well or the stuff isn’t good. At the end of the day, I thought he did everything that we asked him to and had more in the tank.”
Kent had faced the Marlins only five days earlier in Miami. That day, he surrendered three runs and threw 90 pitches in just 4 2/3 innings. Kent entered the game 0-2 with an 8.03 ERA. He improved to 1-2 and lowered his ERA to 5.59.
“I’m going to go one pitch at a time and get after guys,” Kent said. “And compete until they take the ball from me.”