Parker looking the part in strong start against Braves
WASHINGTON — Making his 10th career Major League start but facing a repeat opponent for the first time, Mitchell Parker again looked in control in the Nationals’ series opener against the Braves.
“I love him because he’s so poised out there,” manager Dave Martinez said of his rookie lefty before Thursday’s start. “You don’t know if he’s doing good or bad, ever. He just goes out there and attacks the hitter.”
Parker came as advertised Thursday, retiring the first 13 batters he faced and taking a no-hit bid into the sixth inning. Atlanta’s Adam Duvall eventually launched a two-run homer off Parker in the seventh, and the Braves tacked on three more runs off Hunter Harvey in the eighth to give Washington a 5-2 loss.
The Nationals’ fourth straight defeat spoiled another impressive showing from the 24-year-old Parker, who tossed seven innings and allowed three hits and two runs with two strikeouts and a hit batter.
“It was just another good start, the body felt good, I felt like I was able to command all four pitches and was just trying not overthink it,” Parker said.
Having thrown an efficient 71 pitches through seven innings, Parker said he felt good physically, but on a hot and humid evening and with a rested Harvey and Kyle Finnegan available in relief, Martinez turned to his bullpen.
“There is no balancing act,” Martinez said about weighing the possibility of leaving Parker in vs. going to the bullpen for the eighth. “[Parker] did his job. We have two guys in the back end of the bullpen who have been really good. Harvey just didn’t get it done today.”
Harvey retired the first two batters he faced before allowing a double to Ozzie Albies in a full count, a 1-1 single to Austin Riley and a two-run homer to Marcell Ozuna.
“I felt great. I thought my stuff was great, my command was great,” Harvey said. “I felt like I missed one time today and it was the homer. The others, they hit it in the perfect spot.”
Martinez said he also turned to his fresh arms in the bullpen with a big-picture eye on Parker.
“He’s a young kid and he’s got a long way to go,” he said. “We’ve got to keep him fresh.”
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