Stopper's role suits Nats' Lannan again

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By Mark Zuckerman

BALTIMORE | When the Washington Nationals were stuck in a three-game losing streak June 6 and needed a big-time pitching performance to get out of their funk, they turned to John Lannan.

When the Nationals were stuck in a four-game slide June 17 with their manager's job possibly on the line and facing a must-win game at Yankee Stadium, they turned to Lannan.

So did it surprise anyone Sunday when a Washington club desperately trying to avoid a sweep at the hands of the Baltimore Orioles not only turned to the young ace of its young rotation but had all the faith in the world he again would come through and win?

"We expect that out of him now," manager Manny Acta said after Lannan went 7 1/3 strong innings en route to a 5-3 victory at Oriole Park. "These types of outings every five days, when we're struggling, he's given us a chance to be in the ballgame."

There's a word for pitchers who build a reputation for snapping losing streaks: They're called stoppers, and it has become clear Lannan has taken on that role for the Nationals.

Beginning with that complete-game victory over the Mets on June 6, the 24-year-old lefty established a new benchmark for success. In five starts since, he's 3-0 with a 2.19 ERA, having never allowed more than three runs in an outing.

"It makes me feel better," Lannan said. "Last year, I would have a quality start or two in a row, and then I would kind of fall off and give up five or four [runs] in a start. I'm finally finding some consistency, which is great."

Great for Lannan, who now finds himself 5-5 with a 3.45 ERA. But also great for a Washington club that is watching its Opening Day starter develop into the true leader of a rotation that doesn't boast anyone over 25.

"I think he is [the leader] without a lot of hoopla or anything like that," Acta said. "I think the other kids realize that, too. He doesn't have the 95, 96 mph fastball, but he leads by example. ... I think a lot of the other kids look at him - even if a couple of them played with him in the minor leagues - as the leader of this rotation right now."