Gomes' return to top throwing form making a big difference

There's no secret to Yan Gomes' success throwing out baserunners this season. Just a lot of hard work and some attention to getting the ball out of his hand as quickly as possible.

Whether it's complicated or not, the mere fact Gomes is throwing out so many opponents is music to the Nationals' ears. After struggling mightily in this department in recent years, they're finally reaping the benefits of a catcher who can stop the running game cold in its tracks.

With another pinpoint throw Wednesday night in the Nats' 5-3 win over the Braves, Gomes added another victim to his 2021 checklist. He has now thrown out a major league best 11-of-25 would-be basestealers this season.

"The main thing is I'm trying not to do too much," the 33-year-old catcher said in a Zoom session with reporters. "I try to focus on getting a quick release, getting the ball into my hand, get the ball out of my hand and let it play from there. I'd like to think I have a strong arm. I'm just trying to put the ball in my hand and let the arm take care of it."

Gomes delivered in a big spot early in Wednesday night's game. After Jon Lester walked Ronald Acuña Jr. on four pitches to begin his evening, Gomes threw out Acuña trying to steal second. What could've been a nightmarish first inning instead turned into a scoreless frame.

"That's huge," Lester said. "We've all seen the slightest thing can change a call. That's a huge turning point in the first inning, getting an out right after a four-pitch walk with Freddie (Freeman) up. Just changed that whole inning there."

Gomes has been a good-throwing catcher most of his career, owner of a respectable 34 percent caught-stealing rate over a decade. But he struggled last season, throwing out only four of 22 runners. And knowing he was taking over as the clear No. 1 catcher this year following Kurt Suzuki's departure to Anaheim, Gomes recognized the importance of improving in this area.

Working with bullpen coach and former big league catcher Henry Blanco, Gomes figured out how to get himself into a better position to throw the ball. And, more than anything else, how to simply throw the ball quicker after receiving a pitch.

"It seems like the ball is going over my head pretty quickly, so that's a good thing," Lester said. "He's getting it down to those guys, which is important. I think sometimes people want to focus on whether the ball gets there in the air or bounces or whatever. But you just get it to those guys, they have a chance to do their thing."

Gomes describes the feeling now versus last year as "more controlled, for sure."

The end result has been a complete turnaround for a Nationals club that for several years struggled to stop the running game but now has become one of the best in the sport at it.