WASHINGTON - Kyle McGowin has made 126 starts in the minor leagues and two in the major leagues with the Nationals.
But if he keeps pitching as he has of late – armed with a slider he can throw more often – the native of Long Island could be a fixture in the bullpen in the future for Washington.
In four outings as a reliever this month, McGowin, 28, has allowed just one hit and no runs in 5.2 innings with nine strikeouts and two walks.
On Saturday, he pitched two scoreless innings and 23 of his 30 pitches were strikes – and the vast majority were sliders as right-handed batters of the Atlanta Braves swung helplessly at his wipeout slider.