Jake

Irvin

Usually strong against the Mets, Irvin struggled against them here. Pete Alonso jumped on him in the first inning with a laser beam over Jacob Young’s head in center field that brought a run home. Then, Juan Soto and Brandon Nimmo smoked a pair of home runs. In all, Irvin allowed nine hard-hit balls mostly due to some inconsistent command. He’s scheduled for an intriguing two-start week coming up, first against the Rockies at home and followed by the Dodgers on the road.

The 28-year-old right-hander also issued a pair of walks while striking out three batters on the night. The trouble started in the opening inning as Pete Crow-Armstrong tagged him for a two-run homer to center. Ian Happ added on a run-scoring double in the second inning. Irvin finished his day with three scoreless frames, but by that time the damage had already been done. He got nine swings and misses on 94 pitches on the night, registering a CSW of 20 percent. He’ll try to get back on track as he carries a 4.02 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and a 50/22 K/BB ratio (78 1/3 innings) into Wednesday’s matchup against the Mets in New York.

Things got off to an ugly start for Irvin on Friday, as he gave up a four-spot in the first inning. He settled down decently from that point on, but damage done. It’s not a huge surprise to see some regression after his eight shutout innings, but at least that regression comes with a victory. Irvin will take a 3.93 ERA into a start scheduled for Wednesday against the Cubs in Chicago.

Irvin put together his best start of the season, dominating for eight shutout innings against the Giants on Saturday. He scattered three hits and two walks while striking out seven batters. The 28-year-old right-hander trims his ERA down to 3.42 with a 1.10 WHIP and a 47/19 K/BB ratio across 68 1/3 innings. Irvin is set to take on Diamondbacks in Arizona on Friday.

Irvin was spotted six runs of support in the first inning and cruised into a win against the Orioles. He held Baltimore scoreless through six innings before giving up two runs on three hits in the seventh. His day would be done with one out at 98 pitches. He struck out six. The 28-year-old right-hander will take a 3.88 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, and a 40/17 K/BB ratio across 60 1/3 innings into a home start against the Giants on Friday.

Irvin struck out only one tonight. He had a 31/8 K/BB ratio over 36 2/3 innings in his first six starts. In the last three, he’s struck out a total of three batters and walked eight in 17 1/3 innings. The Nationals will stick with him and start him against the Orioles this weekend, but at some point, it’s going to be time to see if he might be better off as a reliever.

Irvin walked the second, third and fourth batters of the game and then threw a wild pitch to allow one to score, but he bounced back immediately afterwards and went on to have a fine outing, even though he never recorded a strikeout. It went as his fifth no-decision in eight starts, so he remains 2-1 with a 3.94 ERA with the Braves next on the docket.

It’ll be made up on Tuesday as a doubleheader. Monday’s original starting pitchers -- Luis L. Ortiz and Jake Irvin – will presumably take the ball at some point during the twin bill.

Irvin’s outing got off to a sloppy start, as he gave up a three-run homer in the first to Kyle Schwarber. He gave up another solo homer to Max Kepler, and the southpaw say his ERA rise to 4.01 from 3.19 in the ineffective start. Irvin will try to bounce back against the Guardians on Monday.

Irvin seems to have the Mets number. He twirled an eight inning, one hit, eight strikeout gem against them last July and it felt like Nationals’ manager Davey Martinez was trying to channel that same eight inning magic when he sent Irvin out to start this eighth with 95 pitches. Well, he allowed a lead-off single, was pulled, and then the Mets mounted their comeback. Nevertheless, Irvin’s curveball was nasty as he managed to evade tons of hard contact and stay out of trouble. He’s scheduled to face the Phillies next time out.