Ohlendorf leaves game with tired arm

DETROIT -- Nationals right-hander Ross Ohlendorf left Wednesday's 11-1 loss to the Tigers because of a tired arm.

Ohlendorf came on in relief of starter Gio Gonzalez with one out in the fourth and the Nationals trailing 9-1.

Ohlendorf got Jhonny Peralta to fly out to center, but allowed an RBI single to Hernan Perez. With Ramon Santiago coming to the plate, manager Davey Johnson and athletic trainer Lee Kuntz went to the mound to check on Ohlendorf, who was replaced by right-hander Craig Stammen.

Johnson was concerned because Ohlendorf's fastball was clocked at 85 miles per hour. Ohlendorf simply wasn't ready to pitch. He needed another day of rest to make the arm stronger. Ohlendorf is often clocked in the low- to mid-90s. The last time he pitched was on Friday against the Mets, and he threw 114 pitches.

"I wasn't throwing very hard. Davey just decided to take me out. So I haven't quite recovered from the last start. I'm fine. The arm wasn't as fresh," Ohlendorf said.

Ohlendorf has been a pleasant surprise for the Nationals as a spot-starter and long reliever. In 10 games (two starts), Ohlendorf allowed seven runs in 34 innings (1.85 ERA). He pitched seven innings of one-run ball with eight strikeouts against the Mets on Friday, but didn't get a decision in a 2-1 victory.