Eighteen pitches into the sixth, with the bases loaded and two out, rookie starter Jake Irvin was up to 91 pitches overall. Washington Nationals’ manager Davey Martinez walked out to the mound, but didn’t signal to the bullpen. Instead he told the 26-year-old pitcher he’d get the final out, patted him on the side, and walked back to the dugout, leaving Irvin in to face left-handed swinging outfielder Jake Cave (even though Martinez had lefty Miguel A. Ferrer warming in the bullpen).
“I just went out there and I said, ‘I’m just here to give you a breather.