SPORTS TODAY: Nationals dominant against Reds
Feldman likely will spend time on the disabled list, manager Bryan Price said.
“He’s had some on-and-off knee stiffness throughout the season that he’s dealt with,” Price said. “He got treatment and has been able to pitch with it and pitch very effectively with it.”
“By the time we got to the end of the first inning,” Price said, “it was apparent it wasn’t a great idea to keep him out there.”
The Nationals (56-36) completed their first four-game sweep of the Reds (39-53) and tied the record for most home runs hit against the Reds in a four-game series (13). The Reds hadn’t allowed 13 home runs in a four-game series since 1961.
SUNDAY’S STORY: Bailey gives up 8 runs in loss
Feldman doesn’t know the exact nature of the knee pain, only that it’s something he has overcome in recent starts. The pain affected his velocity.
“I didn’t really get over the hump today,” Feldman said. “It didn’t loosen up. Not only was I making bad pitches, they were coming in 8 miles an hour slower than normal. It was one of those days where it wasn’t cooperating.”
This was the shortest start of Feldman’s career. He fell to 7-7. His ERA jumped from 3.94 to 4.34. That’s still the best mark on the staff for anyone who has made more than five starts.
“It’s hard to see him struggle because he’s done everything he can to take the field and compete for us,” Price said. “He’s been our best starter. He’s been a great addition to the organization. He’s appreciated the opportunity. He’s taken advantage of the opportunity. He’s worked his tail off. He’s been influential with the young guys. And he’s been a performer. The idea of him not being in the mix, at least for a short period of time, hurts the club and hurts me personally because he’s given us everything he’s got to give us some important innings.”
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