Irvin reaches third inning, DeJong shines at third, Wood ready to play

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – Jake Irvin planned to throw two innings tonight. That would be the standard ramp-up after throwing only one inning in his spring debut five days ago.

Just one problem: Irvin was too good during those two innings. He faced six batters, he retired all six and he needed only 23 pitches to do it.

So the Nationals sent the right-hander back to the mound for an unplanned third inning. At which point the sharpness and efficiency that defined the start of his night eluded him and brought a quick end to his night.

Back-to-back walks with one out in the third raised Irvin’s pitch count to 37 and brought manager Davey Martinez out of the dugout. It wasn’t a big deal; it’s still Feb. 27, after all. But for Irvin, it left a bit of a sour taste in his mouth at night’s end as the Nats took a 4-3 loss at the hands of the Braves.

“I’m excited to ride the wave of the first two innings going into the next one,” Irvin said when asked about the third inning.

Those first two innings were an extension of his quick, 1-2-3 solo frame Saturday against the Astros. He retired the side on 11 pitches in the top of the first tonight, getting a pair of ground balls and a strikeout. He retired the side again on 12 pitches in the top of the second, all of these outs coming in the air.

To that point, Irvin’s spring training totals included three perfect innings of work on only 30 pitches. He needed 17 pitches, though, to face three batters in the top of the third, only five of those strikes.

“Free passes stink,” he said. “Just getting guys to swing the bat, throwing the ball in the zone. It’s something I’ve worked on and something I’m confident I’ll continue to do.”

“Just a little tired,” manager Davey Martinez said. “Got a little ahead of himself there. But other than that, he really threw the ball well.”

* Paul DeJong made two highlight-reel plays at third base, further suggesting the career shortstop is more than ready for the move to the hot corner.

DeJong went back to field a sharp grounder down the line, then made the long throw across the diamond from behind the bag for an impressive out. He later charged in and fielded a slow roller with his bare hand, also making a strong throw to first for the out.

“That was cool,” Irvin said. “That’s the first time I’ve had him behind me, so that was sweet. Making a nice play like that, it’s definitely reassuring to have a play like that the first time out there. It gives me a lot more confidence knowing that’s the type of player he is out there.”

“His hands really work. His feet really work in the infield,” Martinez said. “He looks like he’s been there forever, he really does.”

* James Wood is set to make his game debut Friday when the Nationals face the Mets in Port St. Lucie. The second-year outfielder has been held back with left quad tendinitis but has been cleared to start playing in games.

Wood will serve as designated hitter. Depending on how that goes, he could begin playing left field this weekend.

“I don’t want to put a timetable on it,” Martinez said. “But it should be relatively soon.”

* Shinnosuke Ogasawara makes his second start of the spring Friday against the Mets, with Mitchell Parker once again following him out of the bullpen. Both lefties should be good for two innings apiece, barring any excessive pitch counts.

MacKenzie Gore and Michael Soroka will make their spring debuts Saturday when the Nats play split-squad games. Gore is scheduled to face the Cardinals in Jupiter at 1:05 p.m., with Soroka facing the Marlins in West Palm Beach at 6:05 p.m.