Ross could not execute slider and sinker in 7-3 loss to Mets

Nationals right-hander Joe Ross had trouble with his control and the Mets hit him well in a 7-3 loss on Monday afternoon.

The Mets tallied two runs in the second and five runs in the fourth off Ross. Joe Panik smacked an RBI double off a Ross sinker and René Rivera dropped in a run-scoring single on his slider to make it 2-0 Mets.

In the fourth, Jeff McNeil jumped on a first-pitch sinker for a two-run shot. J.D. Davis delivered the biggest punch on an 87 mph slider, driving a two-run double to left field to make it 6-0 Mets.

Ross ended up allowing seven runs in 3 2/3 innings on eight hits, three walks and four strikeouts. He had to throw 85 pitches, 53 of which for strikes.

"(I was) just rushing down the mound a little bit, getting ahead of myself," Ross said. "The sinker gets a little flat, and (the) back of my slider a little bit (too). I wasn't really executing today and, obviously, they made me pay for it."

Nationals manager Davey Martinez said Ross getting hit on the shin recently was not bothering him in this game and not an excuse for the rough outing.

"His command was a little off today," Martinez said. "Up in the zone. And he got hit. He got ahead of hitters and then worked the count to 2-2 again. But when you're ahead, you've got to stay ahead and try to get outs quick. He didn't do that today."

"I mean, I'm a little sore, but it's not really an excuse," Ross said.

Ross had just come off a stellar August in which he went 3-0 with a 1.05 ERA in five starts. But this time, he got behind hitters consistently, and that meant he had to come back to the plate. Hitters were waiting to jump on pitches that ended up in hittable spots.

"For one, not be 1-0, 2-0. I feel like that's kind of when you have to execute," Ross said. "Hitters are probably going to be more aggressive. A lot of guys throw off-speed, changeups behind in the count. But just executing better pitchers in general. Obviously not getting to that point, or if you can get them to swing at a bad pitch, or just execute something, more of a pitcher's pitch."

The rest of the bullpen did well to keep the score where it was, but 7-0 proved to be insurmountable.

Austin Voth came on to pitch 2 1/3 shutout innings, allowing no runs on two hits with no walks and four strikeouts. He demonstrated quality, swing-and-miss stuff.

Erick Fedde tossed a pair of shutout innings. He allowed two walks but no hits, and he struck out two. It was a nice showing for Fedde in a low-leverage situation, especially with all that time off between appearances. The UNLV standout last pitched Aug. 18.

With Fedde available and rested, would Martinez consider switching out Ross as the No. 5 starter?

"We'll see what happens, but Joe's been throwing the ball really well," Martinez said. "He's had one bad outing here. He pitched in Chicago, which I know his shin was bothering him a little bit, but he kept us in the ballgame. He's throwing the ball well, he really is. We'll have to see. Go through his routine this week and see where he's at."

Tanner Rainey delivered a scoreless ninth inning, striking out two. He has held teams scoreless in five of his last seven appearances.

In the end, Martinez was pleased with the bullpen.

"They all came in and did a great job. I was really pleased with Austin and Fedde both, and also Rainey," the skipper said.