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VIERA, Fla. -- Nationals right-hander John Patterson pitched in his third exhibition game of the spring, allowing one run in four innings against the Tigers on Friday.
Patterson's only blemish came in the fourth inning, when he gave up a wind-aided home run to Chris Shelton. Patterson also said that he was tired by the fourth inning. He threw 72 pitches and 38 of them were for strikes. Patterson insisted that he will have enough stamina to go longer in his final start of the spring. He is expected to throw between 90-100 pitches and be ready to start the season opener on April 2 against the Marlins at Robert F. Kennedy Stadium.
"My arm feels great," Patterson said. "I have a lot of life in my arm, which is good. It's getting me pretty excited. My strength feels good. I'm enjoying working out. I'm putting in the work in the weight room."
Patterson will become the second pitcher in Nationals history to start an Opening Day game. Livan Hernandez had the honors the last two years. Patterson said he sometimes thinks more about pitching on Opening Day than what he has to do to be successful in Spring Training.
"I'm looking forward to it," he said. "I'm thinking about the Marlins' lineup. I'm going to keep my emotions in check. I know it's going to be an anxious day."
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The Official Site of The Washington Nationals: News: Washington Nationals News
This comes as no real surprise considering the obvious fact that they have no one else on the team really capable of making an opening day start based on ability. As long as he avoids injury i think Patterson will be the only real option for the opening day game, im sure others will be discussed but won't have any real chance.
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