Rainey builds confidence by throwing slider for strikes

As Nationals manager Davey Martinez formulated a plan on how to employ his bullpen with the goal to get to closer Sean Doolittle, the skipper started to gain confidence in using right-hander Tanner Rainey in high-leverage situations.

After Rainey was called up May 18, Martinez would put Rainey in games to start the seventh inning. Rainey would deliver a scoreless frame.

The skipper said Rainey's ability to throw strikes early in counts has helped him build that confidence into a full-inning pitcher. He has done a nice job of getting left-handed and right-handed hitters out. The skipper has searched for most of the early weeks of the season for relievers who could bridge the sixth, seventh and eighth frames.

"When he's on, (he) throws strikes, he can get both out," Martinez said. "It's interesting now because we have (Michael) Blazek. He's another guy, to me, when he's on, his breaking ball is good. He locates his fastball. He can get both guys, lefties and righties out. I like that. I don't want to have to keep matching guys in and out. You'd hope that you could get a couple guys that can get righties, lefties out."

Rainey said having Martinez believe in his ability to deliver scoreless innings is motivating after some struggles in Cincinnati. In just eight games for the Reds, Rainey allowed 19 runs on 13 hits with 12 walks in just seven innings.

"For sure. Earning his trust is step one," Rainey said of Martinez. "At that point, build his trust, take the ball whenever he gives it to you, no matter what the situation, and do what you can from there."

Martinez said the key for Rainey this year is understanding that his slider, with the makings of a signature pitch, could be used in the strike zone to get outs.

"He's young and he's still learning," Martinez said. "His ability when he's in the strike zone, he's got a power fastball, his slider is really, really good. We've talked a lot about not being afraid of using his slider and throwing it for strikes, 'cause it's good. His thoughts were to not throw it for strikes.

"Just throw it for strikes," the skipper remembers saying to Rainey. "He's pretty effective. He's done well. We've used him and I like him. I like him in a clean inning, if possible. He does much better when nobody is on. He comes in and gets a clean inning. I like him in those situations. I really do."

Rainey said that since he's been with the Nationals, pitching to favorable counts has been critical for him. It was an issue for him last season with Cincinnati. So what has he done to remedy the situation?

"Just being in the zone," Rainey said. "Making quality pitches in the zone. Getting ahead in counts. Last year I struggled a lot getting ahead. I've always put myself in hitter's counts. Those guys get paid to hit the ball. You put them at an advantage, only doing bad things for yourself.

"You can start with the fastball, start with the slider. As long as it's quality pitches. Get in the count, get ahead, and then everything is a lot easier."

Prior to his May 20 arrival, Rainey honed his pitches with help from Triple-A Fresno pitching coach Brad Holman. Holman drilled him on following through and finishing pitches. Nationals pitching coach Paul Menhart continued that focus here in D.C.

"I've continued doing the same things I've been working on, staying through the ball," Rainey said. "(Menhart's) done a good job making sure I stay on top of that, things I worked with on with Brad at Triple-A before I came up. We've kind of stayed on top of that, which has helped.

"More than anything, we just did towel drills," Rainey continued. "Just making sure I was staying, getting through the ball, staying back and working everything directionally through the mitt. Just carried it on over here."