Pitching exclusively out of the bullpen this season, Paolo Espino, 35, had posted a 2.03 ERA, a 3.06 FIP, four walks, 20 Ks, and a .228/.257/.317 line against in 20 games and 26 2⁄3 innings pitched before today’s game.
Nationals’ manager Davey Martinez talked at the end of May about the value of having an arm like Espino’s in the bullpen.
“We always talk about him, but he’s a life-saver, he really is,” Martinez said.
“He understands his role really well, and he knows he’s out there to get outs, and he does it well, knowing that he can pitch one inning, two innings, three innings, and feel good about it.