Team before self! | TalkNats.com

Zack Littell joined the Washington Nationals with a reputation as an innings-eating starter expected to perform well. His current results include a 6-5 record in 11 games pitched and only six earned runs allowed across his last five starts, despite a higher overall ERA. In a recent game, he completed the eighth inning at 94 pitches and then continued to finish the game with 106 pitches. He told manager Blake Butera that he wanted the bullpen to have a day off. The plan had included a lefty opener, with Littell expected to handle most of the innings, especially given heavy recent pitch counts among other long relievers.

"When Zack Littell was signed to his deal with the Washington Nationals during the middle of Spring Training, he came with the reputation of being an innings eater who will win you games. While the Nats were probably hoping for a replication of his 3.58 ERA with Tampa last year, the Nats currently have a 5.23 ERA pitcher - and that really doesn't tell the full story. Let's state the positive, the Nats are 6-5 in the 11 games Littell has pitched in. Also, in his last five starts, he's only given up a combined 6-earnies."

"Last night, Littell did something selfless. He finished the 8th inning with a pitch count of 94. He easily could have opted for a shower and called it a night. Instead, he told his manager, Blake Butera, that he wanted to give the overworked bullpen a day-off. Littell took the mound and finished the game with 106 pitches. He put team before self. Something you rarely see with the modern athlete."

""That was the perfect opportunity to give the guys in the bullpen a break, so I told Blake I wanted them to be able to take a break." - Littell said after the game"

"Before the game, we knew that lefty PJ Poulin was going to be the "opener" and Littell would be the bulk pitcher of the game. We weren't sure what would have happened if Littell struggled as the three long-men, Andrew Alvarez, Brad Lord, and Mitchell Parker, were all on heavy pitch counts for the past several days. Sure, Paxton Schultz could have pitched the 9th inning, and maybe he should have - but Littell was brought to the Nats to eat innings, pitch well, be a mentor to the younger pitchers, and win games."

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