Joe Ross is the forgotten member of the Washington Nationals starting rotation. 

Ross hasn’t been overwhelmingly dominant this season, but even during bad outings, he’s pitched well enough to keep them in games and that kind of heart and dedication to the team can’t be quantified in this new world of analytics. 

On Sunday, Ross was able to take advantage of an offensive barrage by Nationals standards early to win the matinee’ 5-0 in the District and capture a split of their four-game set against the National League West, division-leading San Francisco Giants. 

D.C.’s all but forgotten MLbbro put the Bay Area bats on ice by shutting out the Giants on five hits while striking out nine before Davey Martinez pulled him going into the bottom of the ninth inning.

 

 

Ross also became the first pitcher to throw more than seven innings against the Giants this season.  For his career, Ross is now 13-0 in 14 starts when he pitches at least seven innings.

“I felt pretty good commanding the ball,” Ross said.  “I’m just glad I gave the bullpen a little more rest today.”

Ross was just what the doctor ordered for the Nats who split a seven inning doubleheader and put a strain on its bullpen Saturday. His 3-6 mark doesn’t adequately describe his season to this point.  Ross entered with a 4.12 ERA. However, after Sunday’s performance, he has struck out 70 batters in 70.1 IP and has a WHIP of 1.25. 

Washington was staked to a 5-0 lead with help from early fireworks which allowed Ross to attack the Giants aggressively throughout the afternoon.

Fellow MLBbro Josh Harrison helped Ross out with a lethal 4-for-4 day. Ross also helped himself at the plate with three sacrifice bunts. 

Ross grew up in Berkeley, CA and played his high school baseball at Bishop O’Dowd in Oakland.  His friends, family, and homies had to wake up early to enjoy the locally televised performance that started around 10am PT. 

Those who woke up early to make the waffles and expresso will remember Sunday’s brunch with morning Joe Ross as a good spot.

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