Blake Treinen doesn't shy away from pressure

VIERA, Fla. - Right-hander Blake Treinen earned a save last night by pitching a perfect ninth inning to protect the Nationals' 5-4 lead for their first win of the Grapefruit League season. The 26-year-old recalled finishing three Nationals wins last year, but none of them were tight games.

"It's just fun to come in and shut the door," Treinen said. "Whether it's the guy in before you has a couple guys on and needs you to come in and help him, that's always a blast to be relied on in situations like that. Also, closing the game is a thrill. Even for me, I haven't really had an opportunity to do that. So even in spring training, it was fun. It's the first time I've been able to do that."

Drew Storen is expected to be the Nationals closer this year, so don't look for Treinen to get much action in the ninth during the regular season. However, he figures to pitch in several high-pressure late-inning situations.

"That's potential for our team as well. He's filled that role before," Nationals manager Matt Williams said. "He's filled the multiple-inning role before, and the starting role as well. Pretty versatile guy in that regard. Tonight, we tried to set it up as best possible to try to get him one inning. It just turned out to be the last one. But he handled it great."

At the start of camp, Williams indicated that Treinen would train as a starter this spring. But Treinen won't have the opportunity to break camp as one of the five in the Nationals rotation.

"Preparation-wise, that's the way to go," Treinen said. "But it's still early. I've actually, with bullpens, probably been stretched out upwards of almost two, three innings. And that's how most of the starters have gone. Today, it worked out to where I got one. Whatever else happens from there, I'm not sure when we'll all throw again, but we'll see if I go two and work up to being a starter from there."

Treinen is seen as a starting pitcher by many in the Nats organization. It's not hard to figure out why after he posted a 3.00 ERA with 16 strikeouts in 36 innings over eight starts in 2014.

The 6-foot-5, 215-lb. Treinen has a fastball reaching the high 90s to go along with a devastating sinker, a slider and a changeup. He began last season at Triple-A Syracuse before his call-up to the majors.