Kelley feeling tightness in neck, Baker details lineup strategy

NEW YORK - Nationals right-handed reliever Shawn Kelley pitched the ninth inning in Friday's 7-2 victory over the Mets, allowing a solo homer to Jay Bruce.

He then managed to induce two outfield flyouts and a groundout to third base to end the game.

But it certainly wasn't an easy three outs for the veteran.

Last year, Kelley was hitting around 93-94 mph on his fastball. Last night, the velocity was dropping to 88-90 mph and touching 91. His slider was around 78-80 mph.

Manager Dusty Baker said during Saturday's pregame that the velocity drop is concerning.

"Little bit, yeah," Baker acknowledged.

Baker said Kelley is dealing with soreness in his neck, which was diagnosed after the game last night and is lingering into this morning.

"He has a little tightness in his neck, they're trying to subside it now, like a spasm in his neck," Baker said. "Yeah, a little concerned."

Has Kelley been dealing with this neck tightness recently?

"No, not that we knew of."

Kelley was on the disabled list from May 2-12 with a lower back strain. He missed nine games. Is a DL stint a possibility?

"I don't know. I don't know. Too early to tell."

Probably in an effort to not tip his hand to the Mets, Baker believes Kelley is likely not available today, but left the door ajar for late-inning use in Saturday's contest.

"Yeah. Well, so far, unless that neck loosens up."

* Baker adjusted the lineup for Saturday's matchup against the Mets' Seth Lugo. He moved Anthony Rendon up to the No. 2 hole and flip-flopped Daniel Murphy (No. 4) and Ryan Zimmerman (No. 5) in the order. Adam Lind bats sixth and Jose Lobaton catches.

Baker on his reasoning against the right-hander Lugo:

"Kind of to mix it up because I didn't want all the left-handers in a row there. Because I went with Lind in left field against Lugo. I figured Lind is pretty good protection for Zim."

Baker moved Murphy up to be behind Bryce Harper. He was also cognizant of the Mets left-handers in the bullpen that had Friday off. Josh Edgin pitched Thursday night, but the Nats haven't seen Jerry Blevins yet on this trip.

"Today, so I wouldn't have Harper and Lind together or Murphy and Zim together, I just flipped them," Baker said. "Especially when their lefties in their bullpen didn't throw last night."