The Nationals were bound to win a ballgame at some point this season. But in order for it to happen, they probably were going to need to get their first quality start.
On Thursday night, Shairon Martis delivered, giving Washington its much-needed victory. The rookie right-hander allowed two runs and five hits over 6 1/3 innings, pacing the Nationals in an 8-2 win over the Phillies that snapped a season-opening, seven-game losing streak. The rest of the Nationals' starters, who had posted a combined 10.73 ERA through the season's first week, could take a cue from Martis. Pitching aggressively and going right after Philadelphia's hitters, Martis threw first-pitch strikes to 19 of 26 men he faced. He wound up throwing only 86 pitches in his 6 1/3 innings.
"This was a very important outing," manager Manny Acta said. "Starting the season 0-7 and with all the pressure of who's going to win the first game, who's going to have the first quality start. He's 22 years old, goes out there against this quality, powerful lineup and does his job."
Martis, 22, said he knew what his mission was when he took the mound Thursday night.
"I came in (Thursday) and my goal was to stop the losing streak," he said. "I came in aggressive, do whatever I got to do, keep to the pitching plan, and it worked out."
NATIONALS 8, PHILLIES 2: Washington counterbalanced Shairon Martis' solid start with an offensive explosion, belting four homers en route to its first win of the season after seven losses. Adam Dunn, Elijah Dukes, Josh Willingham and Alberto Gonzalez all homered for the Nationals, who piled on late and turned a close game into a rout. Martis set the tone with 6 1/3 innings of two-run ball, Washington's first quality start of the year. A trio of relievers (Mike Hinckley, Joe Beimel and Joel Hanrahan) combined to retire all eight batters they faced.
