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Nationals' Zack Littell: Takes loss as bulk reliever
Rotowire
Littell (7-8) was tagged with the loss in Friday's game against the Diamondbacks, allowing one run on four hits and one walk while striking out five across five innings.
Carson Palmquist opened Friday's game and was tagged for two runs in the second inning, which both came after he was replaced by Littell. It ended up being Littell who took the loss after giving up the game-deciding run on a sacrifice fly from Gabriel Moreno in the seventh. Despite the loss, it was a nice bounce-back performance from Littell after he gave up eight runs in a loss to the Athletics this past Saturday. His next outing is slated for next week at home against the Blue Jays, though it's unclear whether he'll piggyback off an opener or start.
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Nationals' Zack Littell: Set to work in bulk relief Friday
Rotowire
Littell is expected to pitch in bulk relief behind opening pitcher Carson Palmquist in Friday's game against the Diamondbacks, Mark Zuckerman of NatsJournal.com reports.
Littell served as a traditional starter in his last appearance Saturday in Sacramento, but he was blasted for eight runs on eight hits and four walks across six innings in a loss to the Athletics. The Nationals will look to coax better results from Littell by deploying him out of the bullpen, with the right-hander likely to take over once Palmquist covers the first inning or two. Littell has submitted a 2.94 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 11.3 K-BB% in 33.2 innings over seven bulk-relief outings this season.
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Nationals' Zack Littell: Scalded for eight runs in loss
Rotowire
Littell (7-7) took the loss against the Athletics on Saturday, allowing eight runs on eight hits and four walks while striking out four batters over six innings.
Littell's outing began ominously when Jacob Wilson led off the bottom of the first inning with a home run. That was one of five runs given up by the righty hurler in the first frame, so he probably deserves some kudos for ultimately making it through six innings. Nonetheless, Littell tied a season-worst mark with the eight runs he allowed, pushing his ERA up to an ugly 5.34 on the campaign. He had been showing some improvement with a 2.84 ERA and 16:3 K:BB across his final four starts before the All-Star break, but he's been very streaky this year -- in fact, the other three times he gave up eight runs came in consecutive outings in April.
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Nationals' Zack Littell: Comes away with no-decision Friday
Rotowire
Littell didn't factor into the decision in Friday's 5-3 loss to the Yankees, allowing one run on five hits over four innings of relief. He struck out five without walking a batter.
The veteran right-hander put together one of his better outings of the season, tossing 49 of 69 pitches for strikes after taking over in the fourth inning from opener Carson Palmquist, but the Nationals' bullpen cost Littell his eighth win of the season with another meltdown in the ninth. He's given up two runs of fewer in four straight starts, heading into the All-Star break with a 2.84 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 16:3 K:BB through 19 innings over that stretch.
Nationals' Zack Littell: Slated for bulk relief Friday
Rotowire
Littell will operate as a bulk reliever for the Nationals in Friday's game versus the Yankees, Mark Zuckerman of NatsJournal.com reports.
Lefty Carson Palmquist will get the ball first as the Nationals' opening pitcher, but he'll likely work just an inning or two before giving way to Littell. Littell has made 12 starts and six bulk-relief appearances this season and has fared much better in the latter role, holding a 3.03 ERA and 17:7 K:BB over 29.2 innings.
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Nationals' Zack Littell: Stingy in no-decision Saturday
Rotowire
Littell didn't factor into the decision Saturday as the Nationals fell 7-1 to the Pirates, allowing one run on four hits and a walk over six relief innings. He struck out three.
The veteran righty put together an impressive performance as the bulk reliever, tossing 57 of 87 pitches for strikes in the equivalent of a quality start, but opener Carson Palmquist had coughed up four runs before Littell even set foot on the mound. Littell has given up two or fewer runs in three straight outings to lower his ERA on the season to 5.02, and he's set to get his next turn through the rotation at home next weekend against the Yankees.
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Nationals' Zack Littell: Following opener
Rotowire
Littell will work in bulk relief during Saturday's game against the Pirates, Mark Zuckerman of NatsJournal.com reports.
Carson Palmquist will open the game for the Nationals but is likely to cover an inning or two before Littell takes over. Littell has notched a 3.42 ERA and 1.18 WHIP in 23.2 innings following an opener this season and a 6.07 ERA and 1.42 WHIP in 56.1 innings as a traditional starter.
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Nationals' Zack Littell: Notches seventh win
Rotowire
Littell (7-6) earned the win Sunday over the Orioles, allowing two runs on three hits and two walks over five innings. He struck out three.
The O's took an early lead off Littell on Sunday thanks to Pete Alonso's two-run homer in the first inning. However, the right-hander held Baltimore scoreless over his final four frames while the Nats rallied for an eventual 6-4 victory. Littell, who worked as a traditional starter Sunday after appearing in bulk relief in his last outing against the Phillies, sports a 5.29 ERA with a 1.35 WHIP and 49:25 K:BB across 80 innings this season. He's tentatively lined up to face the Pirates at home his next time out.
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Nationals' Zack Littell: Strikes out five in bulk relief
Rotowire
Littell did not factor into the decision in Tuesday's 14-9 loss to the Phillies, allowing two runs on five hits and no walks with five strikeouts over four innings.
Littell entered in the second inning and pitched well before allowing two runs in the fifth, departing in line for a potential win before the Nationals' bullpen imploded late. While the 30-year-old owns a 5.40 ERA in 16 total appearances this season, he's pitched to a 3.28 mark in his five bulk relief outings. He'll take a 5.40 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 46:23 K:BB across 75 innings this season into his next outing, which lines up to come against Orioles this weekend.
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Nationals' Zack Littell: Slated for bulk duty Tuesday
Rotowire
Littell will be used in bulk relief Tuesday against the Phillies, Kyle Williams of TheBanner.com reports.
He's fared better this season as a bulk reliever (3.20 ERA) than traditional starter (6.31 ERA). The right-handed Littell will be preceded Tuesday by left-handed opener PJ Poulin.
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Nationals' Zack Littell: Can't keep ball in yard Wednesday
Rotowire
Littell (6-6) took the loss Wednesday, giving up four runs on seven hits and two walks over five innings as the Nationals were downed 6-2 by the Royals. He struck out two.
All four runs came on solo shots by Carter Jensen, John Rave, Lane Thomas and Michael Massey, not exactly a fearsome array of sluggers. It's the first time since April 28 that Littell has served up multiple homers in an outing, but after a five-start win streak he's dropped two straight decisions, getting tagged for nine runs in 6.2 innings during the sudden downturn. Littell will carry a 5.45 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 41:23 K:BB through 71 innings into his next trip to the mound, which lines up to come at home early next week against the Phillies.
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Nationals' Zack Littell: Chased early by M's
Rotowire
Littell (6-5) took the loss Friday, coughing up five runs on four hits and a walk over just 1.2 innings in a 10-2 rout at the hands of the Mariners.
A two-run homer by Colt Emerson in the second inning was the biggest blow as Littell got the hook after 56 pitches (43 strikes). The veteran right-hander had given up two runs or fewer in seven straight outings coming into Friday, but this performance looked more like the struggling pitcher who exited April with a 7.85 ERA. Littell will try to bounce back in his next trip to the mound, which lines up to come at home next week against the Royals.
Littell (6-4) notched the win Saturday against Arizona, allowing one run on two hits and one walk in five innings. He struck out four.
After limping to a 7.85 ERA through his first six outings, Littell has managed an impressive resurgence since the start of May. Over his last 35.2 innings (seven starts), the veteran right-hander has a 2.27 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 23:9 K:BB to lower his season ERA to 4.76 and his WHIP to 1.31. Littell will be aiming for his sixth consecutive win in his next scheduled start at home versus the Mariners.
Littell (5-4) earned the win Sunday over the Padres, allowing two runs on five hits and two walks over six innings. He struck out five.
It's the second straight quality start and fourth straight win for Littell, who's given up just five runs over 23 innings in that span. It's been quite a turnaround for the veteran right-hander, who struggled to a 6.94 ERA in his first eight outings (36.1 innings) this year. Littell will look to extend his winning streak his next time out, currently scheduled to come on the road against the Diamondbacks next weekend.
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Nationals' Zack Littell: Following opener Monday
Rotowire
Littell is slated to follow an opener in Monday's game against the Guardians, Spencer Nusbaum of The Athletic reports.
Left-hander PJ Poulin will open things for the Nationals before Littell carries the bulk of the workload. Littell had a rough April but has settled in in May, posting a 2.55 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 7:4 K:BB over 17.2 frames covering two starts and two bulk-relief appearances.
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Nationals' Zack Littell: Fans seven over seven innings
Rotowire
Littell (4-4) earned the win Monday against the Guardians, allowing one run on five hits and two walks while striking out seven over seven innings.
Following opener PJ Poulin, who surrendered one run across two innings, Littell took over and finished out the game, turning in his best outing of the season. The veteran right-hander threw 70 of his 106 pitches for strikes while setting season highs in both innings pitched and strikeouts with seven apiece. Littell has quietly been excellent throughout May, posting a 2.19 ERA across five appearances during the month. Despite the strong recent stretch, his overall season line still sits at a 5.23 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and 30:17 K:BB across 53.1 innings. Littell is scheduled to face San Diego on Sunday in his next start.
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