Washington Nationals’ GM Mike Rizzo found the closer he was after in Pittsburgh, sending two pitchers to the Pirates to give the Nats a new ninth-inning option.
In his two relief appearances for the Washington Nationals since he was acquired last weekend, new closer Mark Melancon has taken the mound with 14-1 and 8-3 leads.
Not exactly high-leverage situations, but he’s thrown two scoreless innings in relief for the Nationals on 25 pitches, giving up one hit and striking out three.
Dusty Baker was impressed with the right-hander’s Nationals debut.
“Same stuff we saw on the other side,” Baker said.