Tanner Roark or Doug Fister could step in for Joe Ross if he has reached innings limit

The Nationals were able to get almost to the fifth inning Sunday with right-handed rookie starter Joe Ross in an 8-4 win over the Braves.

But manager Matt Williams and pitching coach Steve McCatty saw that Ross' fastball velocity was down from what he had delivered in the past.

"Today starting in the third inning, the fastball was down to 90 mph, which is a sign of fatigue," Williams said. "He got through that one, he got through the fourth. But with the lefties coming up there, we're not going to allow him to get through the fifth there with any trouble. The fact that the fastball came down is a sign that he's tired. We'll see what the next one holds for him."

Did Ross sense that his velocity wasn't where he wanted it to be?

"Maybe a little bit, I just didn't really have my best stuff today overall," Ross said. "It's late in the season, so it could be affected. But I feel fine right now.

"I can tell when its not jumping out of my hand. But just trying to execute pitches. I think if you try to over compensate, I can get myself in trouble. Just try to stay aggressive."

Ross had trouble gripping the baseball in St. Louis due to humidity, but his fastball was still averaging 93 to 94 mph. He had six walks in that game and three walks Sunday.

"It's more the last two games that kind of stuff wise wasn't very good," Ross said. "I think with velocity down a little bit kind of affects the sharpness of slider and changeup. All those things kind of play a role."

Have they given Ross any indication that this was his last start?

"Not really. I feel fine," Ross said. "I'm ready to go. Pitch whenever my name's called for the next outing. But I guess we'll see what happens."

Ross has now reached 149 2/3 innings on the season when you combine his minor and major league innings. If they decide to shut down Ross and Stephen Strasburg comes back this week feeling OK, Tanner Roark or even Doug Fister could take over Ross' role in the starting spot. They will need a fifth starter for only a few more weeks before the playoffs begin.

Either way, Ross has put together an amazing first campaign. The 22-year-old is now 5-5 with a 3.79 ERA in 13 starts. In 73 2/3 innings, he has struck out 68 and has 20 walks. But he had only four walks in his first eight starts. Quite a find for general manager Mike Rizzo from the Padres along with shortstop Trea Turner in the surprising three-team 11-player deal in the offseason that sent Steven Souza Jr. to the Rays.