Carl Edwards Jr. Has Rough Nats Debut, But The Gas Thrower Will Earn His Keep

NATIONALS PARK — Melanated Mound Marauder Carl Edwards Jr. throws gas for the Washington Nationals. Unfortunately, Tuesday night in Washington was just a quick trip in relief where he gave up three earned runs and a 2-0 lead to the New York Mets in his Nationals debut. 

After their contentious series in Queens last month, the teams were well behaved as New York beat Washington 4-2 at Nationals Park.

During his only inning of work, Edwards turned Patrick Corbin’s best start of the season into a no decision.  After a tremendous start in Rochester leading to dreams of staying in the District for the rest of the season, Edwards lived through the nightmare debut with help from one of his biggest clubhouse supporters.

Nationals manager Davey Martinez and new teammate Josh Bell came to his defense. Edwards definitely pulled his weight in his prior destination. During his extended stay in western New York, Edwards was killing it with a 1-0 record and a 0.63 ERA in 13 games. He had only walked four batters coming in, striking out 17 and opposing batters were hitting at a 0.68 clip. Washington was hoping Edwards could be a part of a remixed middle relief tandem that could relieve pressure from the already taxed bullpen.

Bell admitted that he was “pumped” to have Edwards on his side because he didn’t relish the notion of facing Edwards’ “elite cutter” anymore. He also gave his “homeboi” props for having a great, albeit short spring training.  The latest edition to Washington’s evolving rotation 

Bell didn’t help Edwards’ cause in his fateful fifth inning.  Despite repping for his man with the media, the Nats first baseman played a tough out into what was ruled a two RBI double that gave the Mets a 3-2 lead. Bell did continue to scorch with the bat, going 2-for-4 in the game to lift his average to .349, good for fifth in the league. 

He also has four homers.

The only Black starting first baseman in baseball is locking down an All-Star bid early in the season. The Nats haven’t gelled as a team yet, but MLBbro Carl Edwards adds another live arm that can help hold the fort during this rebuild.