Joe Ross suffers shortest outing of his career in 8-5 loss

ST. LOUIS - For the past few weeks, the question has lingered of how many innings rookie Joe Ross has left this season. On Tuesday night, that issue didn't even get pressed as Ross departed after 2 2/3 innings, battling major command concerns.

"He had problems holding it and feeling it and throwing it over the plate," manager Matt Williams said. "No issues physically. Just couldn't command it."

The game time temperature was 89 degrees at a humid Busch Stadium as Ross retired the side in order in the first.

But Ross' struggles finding the strike zone appeared in the second when the right-hander issued walks to Yadier Molina and Mark Reynolds before escaping the inning.

The Nationals staked Ross with four runs in the third led by Anthony Rendon's two-run double and Ryan Zimmerman's solo homer.

Ross nearly gave it all back in the bottom of the inning. After starting the frame with a strikeout, Ross walked Matt Carpenter. Two batters later, Jhonny Peralta drove in Carpenter with the lone hit of the night against Ross. Then, it unraveled as the 22-year-old walked the next three hitters, allowing Peralta to cross the plate. That was the end of Ross' evening in his shortest start of young big league career.

"First two innings, I guess was all right," Ross explained. "The third inning was kinda sweaty, trying to wipe my hand off. Pants were kinda sweaty. And then just having a tough time finding the zone. First time I've pitched here, and it's humid like this."

Coming into Tuesday, Ross had walked only 11 batters in 66 2/3 innings over 11 starts. Yesterday, he couldn't make it out of third inning after surrendering six walks.

It was steamy here the past two days, but no more than in D.C., where Ross potentially sets up to face the Braves at Nationals Park on Sunday.

"I'll use rosin," Ross said when asked about how he can overcome the heat. "It's not something I've done in the past, but when it gets like this, it's something you've got to do to keep your hand dry and keep a good grip on the ball."

Ross indicated he is not tiring yet from the 145 1/3 innings he has thrown over 12 starts for the Nats and 14 starts in the minors.

"I feel good," Ross said. "My arm feels good. My body feels good."

Six relievers combined to blank the Cardinals over the next 4 1/3 tense innings until Drew Storen blew a two-run lead in the eighth.

With the game tied, Williams opted for Casey Janssen in the ninth instead of closer Jonathan Papelbon.

"We want (Papelbon) closing games out," Williams explained on his handling of the bullpen late. "We're down to two guys. We need a one-inning guy there because we're going to have to hit for the pitcher anyway (in the 10th) and we're gonna have to go long with Sammy (Solis) in that regard."

Despite throwing 26 pitches in the seventh inning during Monday's loss, Janssen took the mound in the ninth a night later.

"I felt good enough to pitch," Janssen said. "I love the opportunity. I always try to be available as much as I can. Out on the mound, I felt fine. I was in the flow of the game. Whatever soreness I did or didn't have, the energy of the place and the intensity of the game took care of everything else."

Brandon Moss ended the game with a walk-off three-run home run off Janssen with two outs in the ninth.

Williams was questioned how his team can maintain composure after two gut-wrenching losses.

"We have to," Williams said. "We don't have a choice. We've got (Max Scherzer) going for us. Try to get that one and then to get back home. There's nothing we can do about it except look forward to (Wednesday)."