Progressing Chico learns to trust stuff

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BALTIMORE -- Washington Nationals starter Matt Chico has learned his share of lessons in his first major league season.

He has put one in particular to exceptionally good use.

"Pretty much the last six starts, I've really tried to focus on getting first-pitch strikes and really not worrying about what's going to happen," Chico said. "I'm just letting the defense take care of it."

Chico's prosperity actually stretches back to his last eight starts, including Wednesday's stint of 62/3 innings against Baltimore in which he yielded three runs while picking up his fifth straight no-decision. Starting with a seven-inning outing at Milwaukee on May 7, Chico is 1-1 with a 3.52 ERA.

That's solid work from the 24-year-old, who was picked up from Arizona as part of the package acquired for Livan Hernandez last August and hadn't pitched above Class AA until this year.

His April 4 debut against Florida (six runs in four innings) was hardly memorable, but he cobbled together more respectable performances while struggling for much of April. His rise has been tied to a declining walk rate; after issuing 20 walks in his first six starts, he has yielded only 12 in his last eight.

"He put it together and beat the Braves and Mets, and ever since he's been pretty consistent," manager Manny Acta said. "He's not lights out, but he has been able to compete and give us a chance to win in pretty much every one of his outings in the last month and a half."

A corresponding benefit is an ERA that has plummeted nearly two runs (from 6.59 to 4.66). It was an important turnaround for the Nationals, who have lost their other four starters from Opening Day to injury and have come to rely on Chico as part of a patchwork rotation.

"I think I've improved, more so command of my pitches, and I used more off-speed the last couple times," Chico said. "I feel like I've learned a ton in the first two months, but I still haven't even scratched the surface. I'm trying to learn what there is to learn."

Church rests