WASHINGTON -- A starting pitcher might have challenges facing the same team twice in three weeks if they are dealing a predictable pitch mix. That isn’t the case for Foster Griffin.
The lefty works with an arsenal of seven pitches, and he alters his attack to keep his opponents on guard. Seeing the Brewers on Saturday after picking up the win against them on April 11 exemplified that ability.
“You kind of try and watch video of what you did last time that worked good, but at the same time, they’re doing that as well,” Griffin said. “So try to read the swings, see what their approach is.”
On Saturday, Griffin delivered six innings in the Nationals’ 4-1 loss to the Brewers. He allowed three hits, three runs (zero earned) and four walks, and he recorded three strikeouts.
He threw 57 of his 97 pitches for strikes, with a mix of cutter (30%), sinker (18%), four-seam fastball (16%), sweeper (13%), curveball (11%), changeup (7%) and splitter (4%).
“I feel like they did a really good job of laying off my sweeper,” said Griffin. “I felt like early on, they were laying off soft, and they were going to make me throw my offspeed stuff for strikes before they chased any of it. So that's kind of [how it] put me behind the eight-ball early, just because they did a good job of laying off. They weren't as aggressive as they were last time.”
In comparison, on April 11, Griffin’s pitch mix was 38% cutter, 18% four-seam fastball, 11% curveball, 11% sweeper, 10% changeup, 6% sinker and 6% splitter across 80 pitches (50 strikes). He earned the win after lasting 5 1/3 innings with one hit, zero runs, three walks and one strikeout.
“Today's a new day, you look for something new,” said Milwaukee shortstop Joey Ortiz. “You kind of look for a zone where he's gonna throw it and try and hit it in that zone, and feel like you just take everything day by day. ... He looked good this game. He threw well, we were just able to punch first and get the lead."
Griffin was not charged with the three runs the Brewers scored in the first inning, but he did take accountability for what led up to them. After retiring the first two batters of the game, Griffin allowed a line-drive single to William Contreras. He then issued back-to-back walks to Gary Sánchez and Jake Bauers to load the bases. The Brewers scored on a fielding error when Brady House bobbled a grounder from Luis Rengifo. The next batter, Brandon Lockridge, sliced a single between third base and shortstop that drove in two runs.
“I feel like that’s on me a little bit that first inning,” said Griffin. “I kind of feel like I gave them the upper hand: the walks and then the 0-2 hit as well. Them putting a three-spot on early may have deflated us a little bit. Overall, a pretty grindy outing to get through six. But the walks, especially to the left-handed hitters, can’t happen there.”
Griffin only faced 18 batters over the next five innings. He retired the side in order twice, and he needed just seven pitches to complete the third frame and four pitches to complete the fourth.
“Outside of the first inning after the two outs, I thought he threw the ball great,” said manager Blake Butera. “... He did a really good job after that long first of settling in and keeping us in the game.”
Pitching in his first season in the Major Leagues after three years in Japan, Griffin ranks third in the National League in ERA (2.27) behind the Mets’ Clay Holmes (1.75) and the Braves’ Bryce Elder (1.88). He has a 0.00 ERA against the Brewers in 11 1/3 frames over two outings this season.
“How he sequenced guys there was a little different,” said Brewers manager Pat Murphy. “He's faced guys before, but he wanted to get in on your hands, work both sides of the plate, change speeds. He's really an effective pitcher. He'll be really good for them all year. I'm glad we're done with those guys after tomorrow."