WASHINGTON -- The conversation earlier on Monday was brief. Nationals manager Dave Martinez asked right-hander Brandon Kintzler if he would be available to close the series opener against the Pirates with closer Sean Doolittle unavailable after pitching in three consecutive games.
"I won't tell you what he said," Martinez said with a laugh after the 3-2 victory at Nationals Park. "But he was good with it."
For Kintzler, this was also his third consecutive game, but he retired the side in order to secure starter Tanner Roark's second victory.