First, Rob Mackowiak was released Saturday to activate Garrett Mock, who started Sunday's game. Mackowiak recently had complained about his playing time and how the organization misled him to what his role was going to be ont he team. Frankly, he was lucky to have a role on any major league team at this point in his career, and the Nats are probably only one of a small handful that would have even had a spot for him.
Mackowiak hit just .132/.254/.208 in 53 at bats for the Nats this year, and at age 32, is probably past the point of earning a big league check. For a guy like this to go out complaining is a shame. He had a couple decent seasons during his peak years in 2002 and 2004 for the Pirates, and he got the most out of the talent he had. But it was obvious that his bat speed and overall quality just wasn't where it needed to be to contribute to a MLB squad, even one as bereft of hitting as the Nationals.
Mock, 25, was the losing pitcher Sunday, although three of the four earned runs charged to him scored after he'd been taken out of the game. He went 4.1, allowing 4 ER on 7 hits and 3 walks. At Columbus, he'd been 3-2 with a 3.09 ERA and 1.23 WHIP in 11 starts covering 61.2 IPs. After Sunday's game, Mock was immediately sent back down to Triple-A Columbus and the team recalled righty Tyler Clippard from Columbus to start Monday's game, rather than have John Lannan pitch on short rest.
Clippard, 23, was 4-4 with a 3.41 ERA at Columbus, and has some big league experience. Last season he started six games for the Yankees, going 3-1 with a 6.33 ERA and 1.70 WHIP, numbers that don't inspire, but were inflated by two really lousy starts. He's always had very good K/IP and K/BB ratios in the minors, and so far this season had struck out 59 and walked 25 in 60.2 IPs.
Photo (c) C. Nichols 2008
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