Jon Lester didn’t last long in his start against the Tampa Bay Rays on the road last week in Tropicana Field, throwing 91 pitches in just 3 2⁄3 innings pitched, over which he gave up a total of just four hits and one earned run.
He did walk four batters in that outing, a season-high, and with the high pitch count, the Nationals went to the bullpen early in what ended up a 3-1 loss.
“His pitch count shot up on him,” manager Davey Martinez said. “Uncharacteristic. He was behind a lot of hitters, but I thought he battled really well.