John Lannan is a Warrior

John Lannan Tosses Complete Game Shutout Last Night

It’s so simple, yet so many seem to struggle with it: throw strikes, stay ahead, win each at bat. That’s it. Simple formula for success yet so few pitchers can pull it off.

Last night, John Lannan threw his second complete game victory this year and his first career complete game shutout (at least in the major leagues). Lannan threw 106 pitches last night and a staggering 80 for strikes – that’s nearly a 4:1 strike:ball ratio.

Perhaps the most important thing he did last night was not succumb to fear. He pitched to contact and let his defense make the plays last night – including an absolute gem of a play in CF by Nyjer Morgan keeping the shutout intact in the third inning and a couple of well placed double plays to get out of trouble. In fact, of his 27 outs recorded, only one was by strikeout.

Now, the detractors will say, “well, yeah, but he did beat the Mets who are really beat up by injuries right now.” That doesn’t matter. The Nationals play in the midst of a lame-duck season and have absolutely nothing to play for – including apparently any pride whatsoever because it really looks as though they can’t wait until September is over. More importantly, though, that’s what good pitchers do – they beat the teams they are supposed to beat and they don’t let up just because the opponent is weakened. Lannan saw an opportunity to go for the kill and he took it.

Hopefully this is a sign of things to come. Stan Kasten and Mike Rizzo hung their hats on young pitching this year hoping it would pay off in the long run. These kids have to have the mentality to go seven innings at a minimum; and it has to start now. They need to learn to throw strikes, stay ahead and win each at bat above all else. They need to know they aren’t going to get sent to AA just because they get shelled on one night. They need to know that even if they give up a few runs, they need to keep throwing strikes; bull-dog mentality.

The Nationals are playing out what looks to be a lost season. Rather than focus on winning a few more games this year, let’s take advantage of this break we’ve been given and see if all our kids can do what Lannan did last night. He was handed the de facto “ace” tag earlier this year and he just showed you why. After an incredibly morose start, he’s pulled his record to 7-7 with a 3.38 ERA after last night; and playing for this team that may be the most admirable effort of any player in the majors this year (alarming note: John Lannan has won more than ¼ of all of Washington’s wins this year – UGH).

So take note Steve McCatty. Let your kids go out and get knocked around a bit. See what they’re made of. All of the trials and tribulations John Lannan had to overcome in his young career certainly seem to have paid off. Time to see if Jordan Zimmermann, Craig Stammen, Ross Detwiler, Shairon Martis, J.D. Martin, Colin Balester or any other kids you may have can do it. Start pushing them in AA and AAA so they’ll be ready for it when they come to Washington.

Oh, and cross your fingers that we can get a deal done with Stephen Strasburg.