Attending brother's debut 'incredible' for Ross

CINCINNATI -- As his ebullient teammates dressed following the Padres' 9-7 comeback victory over the Reds early Saturday evening, Tyson Ross pushed his way through the doors of the visitors' clubhouse at Great American Ball Park looking blurry eyed but content.

The Padres pitcher spent his Saturday going from Cincinnati to Washington, D.C., and then back to Cincinnati; it was all in the name of family, watching his younger brother, Joe Ross, make his big league debut pitching for the Nationals at Nationals Park.

"It was a whirlwind day, but it was pretty incredible," Tyson Ross said.

• Ross flies to DC to see his brother make MLB debut

With the blessing of Padres manager Bud Black to make the trip, Ross woke up at 4 a.m. ET on Saturday, taking a 6 a.m. flight to Washington, D.C. He took a "power nap" before meeting up with family to head to Nationals Park to watch Joe, the former Padres prospect who was traded to the Nationals in the offseason.

The strangest part of it for Tyson, 28, might have been watching Joe, 22, from the seats.

"He said it was a great experience and it felt weird being in the stands watching the game," Black said. "He found himself critiquing every pitch -- 'He should have thrown a sinker here,' or, 'No, don't throw outside there.' But I'm glad that worked out."

Tyson Ross got the victory on Friday against the Reds, and the timing of going to see his brother couldn't have been better. He would have only done some cardio work on Saturday, and being away for this particular day didn't hurt.

Video: SD@CIN: Ross strikes out seven over five innings

Joe Ross took the loss against the Cubs, allowing three runs in five innings with four strikeouts.

After the game, Tyson Ross had a few minutes with his brother before hopping on a flight back to Cincinnati. He arrived just as his teammates were finishing dressing after their victory.

Video: CHC@WSH: Ross strikes out four in MLB debut

Ross was grateful and thankful to Black and the Padres that it all worked out.

"It was pretty surreal, such a special moment for my family, and to be there in person and share that with them and Joe. It was incredible," Ross said. "I watched him grow up, he's my younger brother, he was always out there causing havoc at my Little League and travel games, and to see how he's developed and now being on the same level is pretty cool."