WASHINGTON -- Nationals manager Dusty Baker had nothing but praise for right-hander Blake Treinen, who was able to get his club out of a bases-loaded jam during a 2-1 victory over the Braves on Tuesday night.
The game was scoreless in the eighth inning and the Braves had a chance to break the tie. Nationals reliever Oliver Perez started the inning by walking the first two batters he faced, Mallex Smith and Nick Markakis. After Perez struck out Freddie Freeman, the lefty was taken out of the game in favor of Treinen. Treinen then allowed a bloop single to Adonis Garcia to load the bases, but the sinkerballer induced Jeff Francoeur to hit into a double play to end the threat.
"Francoeur is a pull guy. He has good power to the pull side. He is aggressive with a fastball. I tried to use that to my advantage -- go sinkers down and in," Treinen said. "I was glad I was able to come in and execute to give our team a chance to win."
It marked the third game in a row for Treinen, and Baker vowed the right-hander would have the day off Wednesday against Atlanta. The skipper has been impressed by what Treinen has done thus far.
"This is why you like that sinkerballer on your staff, because they throw that double-play ground ball," Baker said. "Any time you throw one pitch and get two outs and get out of trouble, that's a very, very valuable man."