Williams' formula for 'pen late in game adds up to Nats' first win of season

Wednesday's second game against the Mets was another tight affair, but this time the Nationals were able to hold onto a one-run lead and win their first game of the season 2-1.

Manager Matt Williams decided to finish the game with three right-handers - Craig Stammen in the seventh, Blake Treinen in the eighth and Drew Storen in the ninth.

The Mets managed just one hit in those three frames.

Williams decided to start off the bullpen in the seventh by calling on the veteran Stammen. He allowed a walk with two outs, but nothing else.

"They've got a number of lefties in the lineup, so it depends on where we're at," Williams said. "That inning set up good for Stammer there against the righties (and) he had to face the pinch-hitter. We knew it would probably be (Kirk) Nieuwenhuis, but stacked righties there, so it was a good situation for him."

With all the work Stammen has done in the past, from starting to long relief, it might have been a curious call to give him the ball in the seventh. But first baseman Ryan Zimmerman knows from experience that Stammen can get the job done.

"Craig is obviously has been impressive for I don't know how many years now," Zimmerman said. "He's been here forever for us and does the same thing every year. Blake's got all the talent in the world. He's throwing 98 mph bowling balls up there. Unfortunately, we have a couple of guys injured that have pitched back there, but those guys obviously have the talent and the experience to do it. I think we will be just fine."

"He's very well deserving," Storen said. "He's pitched in all situations. He's somebody that I've always looked up to in the way he handles the game no matter what. Whether we are up or down by a touchdown, he's pitching the same way if it's a one-run game. He's a guy that has been there in some big spots before and knows what he's doing. It's a great opportunity for him. I'm excited for him."

Treinen allowed a hit in the eighth, but nothing else.

"We anticipated Blake pitching the eighth coming into the game," Williams said. "It worked well."

Treinen was thrilled to be able to come into a big situation and not allow a Mets rally. He helped his own cause with a spectacular double play, catching a Lucas Duda liner, then firing to first to double up David Wright.

"It's exciting to get an opportunity to come in a close game and try to get a hold for your team," Treinen said. "A few things fell my way, executed a few pitches and got fortunate on one. Obviously, adrenalin (was) running. Just excited to get out of the inning and give your team a chance to get to the ninth for Drew."

Treinen showed some emotion after the big defensive play, screaming as he walked off the mound.

"Between the lines, everyone wants to compete," Treinen said. "You just got to find a way to turn the switch. I don't really think about like how I react or anything. Just play the game with emotion. Everybody here has a passion for the game, so sometimes it just comes out."

"He's got big-time stuff," Storen said. "Those experiences for him are going to be huge. (To) step up in a big spot and do that for us is great. Good thing for him to build off of.

"The stuff's there. But (to be able to) pitch late in the ball game, it takes experience and it takes a little grit. Those guys coming in, not being intimidating by guys and attacking guys is huge. I'm looking forward to seeing how they grow."

Treinen admits pitching that late in a game has not been something he has worked on that much in his young career.

"It's something new for me," Treinen said. "I haven't really had too many opportunities out of the 'pen to pitch in a close game. I loved it. It was a blast. I was glad I was able to do my job.

"It's nice they have that confidence in me. I have that confidence in myself. Back to everything else, anybody in that bullpen can go out there and do that so the fact that they have confidence in everybody that just shows the talent that we have."

Williams certainly has confidence in Treinen, and he has made a good first step in that eighth inning slot with Casey Janssen on the disabled list, nursing right shoulder inflammation.

"He's running the ball in there at 98 mph with some good sink," Williams said. "That's good. I'm happy with the way he went about it tonight. Certainly be more opportunities for him."

Storen was able to put together a 1-2-3 ninth for his first save of the season.

"Yeah, it's always exciting getting that first appearance of the season," Storen said. "With a one run lead there in the ninth, couldn't ask for a better situation. It's pretty fun."

It all added up to a tremendous pitching performance. The bullpen coming through to keep the Mets at just one run, earning Jordan Zimmermann his first victory of the season.

"Treinen threw great, Storen came in and threw very, very well," said right fielder Bryce Harper, who had two hits and an intentional walk. "Stammen, of course. I love watching Stammen pitch because he's 88, 91 (mph) with sink and slide and he's very good out there.

"Of course, you can talk about Jordan Zimmermann all day, he's one of the best guys in the league. So being able to have the pitching staff that we do, if we get them two, three, four runs, it's gonna be OK with us."