MacKenzie Gore Returns to Nationals with Measured Precision
MacKenzie Gore made a noteworthy comeback to the Washington Nationals’ starting rotation on Thursday, facing off against the Miami Marlins. This outing marked his first appearance since being activated from a 15-day injured list stint due to left shoulder inflammation. Despite his solid performance, the Nationals fell short, suffering a 5-0 defeat.
Solid Start After Early Struggles
Gore faced immediate challenges as he took the mound, allowing a leadoff single to Miami’s Xavier Edwards. Agustin Ramirez quickly followed with another single, placing pressure on the left-hander. After Jakob Marsee’s force out advanced Edwards to third, Heriberto Hernandez’s sacrifice fly brought the first run home, giving the Marlins a 1-0 lead. The inning continued to unravel for Gore when Eric Wagaman’s hit scored Marsee, pushing the score to 2-0.
However, after the shaky first inning, Gore settled into a rhythm. He effectively managed the game, allowing only one additional hit in the third and issuing two walks over his five-inning outing. In total, Gore surrendered four hits, two earned runs, and struck out four batters, raising his ERA to 4.14. With this loss, his record fell to 5-14.
Fastball Dominance and Pitching Strategy
Gore’s approach on the mound leaned heavily on his four-seam fastball, which he utilized 50% of the time, throwing it 39 times throughout the game. Averaging nearly 95 mph and peaking at 96.5 mph, the fastball was a cornerstone of his strategy. Alongside it, he deployed his curveball and changeup, combining for 38% of his pitches. The curveball averaged 81.8 mph, while the changeup clocked in at 85.9 mph.
The left-hander was effective in inducing swings, with 37 total swings recorded and 11 whiffs. Marlins hitters were able to foul off 11 pitches, contributing to his relatively low pitch count of 78 over five innings.
Looking Ahead
Gore’s return was crucial for the Nationals, especially considering his previous stint on the injured list. He was placed on the IL retroactively to August 27, a precaution after his last injury in September 2023 that sidelined him for the remainder of that season. Assuming he avoids further setbacks, Gore is on track to make at least two, potentially three, more starts this season, setting the stage for a promising 2026 campaign.
