Tyler Moore makes pitching debut in Nats' 11-4 loss

There was nothing comfortable about the Nationals' 11-4 loss to the Diamondbacks. The game lasted four minutes shy of four hours. Arizona left fielder Ender Inciarte and center fielder A.J. Pollock were each credited with six at-bats.

The Diamondbacks pounded out 17 hits, which tied the season high of hits allowed by the Nationals (also April 28 at Atlanta.)

The Nationals had to go to their bullpen in the sixth inning. Four relievers could not slow down Arizona over those final 11 outs. The Diamondbacks scored 10 of their runs in that span.

So when the fourth reliever of the night, lefty Felipe Rivero, struggled in the ninth, manager Matt Williams had seen enough. In order to protect what was left of his taxed bullpen, Williams opted for outfielder/first baseman Tyler Moore to try to get two outs and finish the ninth inning.

It marked the second time this season that a Nationals position player was called upon to pitch in a game. First baseman Clint Robinson pitched in a game also against Arizona earlier this season.

"Well, we're not going to go to the other guys," Williams said. "Again, the plan would be for Aaron (Barrett) to come in there to get the outs and Tanner (Roark) to get the outs. Didn't happen tonight. When that doesn't happen, you extend your pitching for sure. So had to go to T-Mo there. Felipe's got 30 pitches plus, we don't want to go any further than that."

Moore threw an 85 mph fastball and was able to get Diamondbacks first baseman Paul Goldschmidt to ground into a fielder's choice. After hitting catcher Wellington Castillo with a pitch, Moore then retired third baseman Aaron Hill on a soft liner to second base to end the inning.

Barrett (3-3), who had been shelled in the sixth, was frustrated after the game but still appreciated what Moore was able to do in a tough situation.

"Obviously, under the circumstances, it stinks because we were losing," Barrett said. "But it's pretty cool, obviously seeing a teammate and a position player being able to pitch and get a couple of guys out. Obviously I'm happy for him and obviously that's a big thrill for a position player being able to come in and pitch, so it's pretty cool."

Nationals right fielder Bryce Harper was a bit surprised he was asked about Moore pitching in a game his team lost 11-4.

"I love when position guys pitch for the other team, not us, because when that happens we're losing pretty bad," Harper said. "It was fun to see. Tyler likes messing around throwing his cutter and curveball and just joking around in the outfield sometimes, so it was nice to be able to see him go out there and get two quick outs."

It was impressive to see Moore get to 86 mph with his fastball without really reaching back with his pitches.

Moore said that Williams came to him to ask if he could go into the game and pitch.

"He just asked me if I could pitch, throw strikes," Moore said. "Obviously, Rivero's runners are still on there so just trying to get outs as best you could. Obviously, you look up and see (Paul) Goldschmidt hitting, and it's not real comfortable up there on the mound.

"Bullpen's kinda been taking some heat here lately and just was able to get a couple of outs so that was good for us."

Moore was able to force Goldschmidt to ground out but then made a mistake when his next pitch hit batter Castillo.

"It was a cutter," Moore said. "Yeah, hit him right in the back. Should of probably just thrown the fastball, but tried to get cute."

But, the bottom line for Moore was that he would have rather made his major league pitching debut in a runaway win, not a difficult loss.

"Yeah, but it was always you wanted to get in when we were winning, so that was kind of the bittersweet feeling, but it was fun," Moore said. "It was fun that I didn't blow nothing out and threw some strikes."