With surprising velocity, Rodney assuming backup closer job

Davey Martinez has been searching all year for viable fill-in closer when Sean Doolittle isn't available. Who knew the answer would come in the form of a 42-year-old reliever who was dumped by the Athletics six weeks ago after posting a 9.42 ERA?

At this point, it's hard to dispute that Fernando Rodney is establishing himself as the Nationals' best Plan B for the ninth inning. A designation Martinez didn't hesitate to place on him after Thursday's 5-2 victory over the Marlins.

"Here's a guy that's done it, and was really effective doing it," Martinez said of Rodney, owner of 326 career saves. "And you know he comes out and pumps strikes. That's what he does. And I like what I'm seeing from him. ... If he can do that, and Doo can't go, he's going to be the guy."

Signed to a minor league deal June 4, then promoted to the big league roster June 25, Rodney has now appeared in four games for the Nationals. He has yet to allow a run. He's faced 13 batters and retired nine of them, four of those via strikeout. And he's now 2-for-2 in save opportunities.

Thursday's outing was the prototypical Fernando Rodney Experience. Pitching with a 3-run lead, he got two quick outs, then gave up back-to-back singles to bring the tying run to the plate. But with a grounder to short, Rodney escaped the jam and proceeded to shoot off his imaginary arrow upon sealing the win.

"He knows I can do my job in any inning they can give me," Rodney said of Martinez, who previously coached him with the Rays and Cubs. "The closer's down today, he says: 'You got it today.' I feel good because he's comfortable with how he's been using me."

Now the remarkable part: Rodney's fastball has averaged 94.5 mph this season. But on his second-to-last pitch of the game, he fired a 99 mph heater past the Marlins' Harold Ramirez.

"After the game, I looked at him and I go: 'Where'd that come from?'" Martinez recalled. "He said: 'I still got some.'"

"Sometimes you have to put something extra on the hitter and let him know," Rodney said, downplaying the significance of that radar gun reading. "I feel that way today, just throw free and loose, feel comfortable and just deliver the ball relaxed."

Yeah, but who saw that kind of heat coming?

"Nothing surprises me now with that guy," catcher Kurt Suzuki said. "He's keeping himself in great shape. And shoot, 99, that's impressive."