Washington Nationals fire pitching coach Derek Lilliquist

By: The Associated Press Posted: 9:33 PM CDT Thursday, May. 2, 2019 Last Modified: 11:01 PM CDT Thursday, May. 2, 2019

Advertise with us

WASHINGTON - The Washington Nationals fired pitching coach Derek Lilliquist on Thursday night.

Read this article for free:

or

Already have an account? Log in here »

To continue reading, please subscribe:

*First annual payment billed as $205.00 + GST for one year. This annual subscription will automatically renew at $233.00 + GST every 52 weeks (10% off the regular annual price of $259.35). Offer available to new and qualified returning subscribers only. Cancel any time.

WASHINGTON - The Washington Nationals fired pitching coach Derek Lilliquist on Thursday night.

Read unlimited articles for free today:

or

Already have an account? Log in here »

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 02/05/2019 (2662 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

WASHINGTON – The Washington Nationals fired pitching coach Derek Lilliquist on Thursday night.

Minor league pitching co-ordinator Paul Menhart was promoted to replace Lilliquist. General manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement moments after the Nationals beat the St. Louis Cardinals 2-1 in a game delayed 2 1/2 hours by rain at the start.

“We felt that both the rotation and the bullpen, we thought that we had some flaws in there,” Rizzo said. “We thought that there (were) preparation issues in there and we thought that we wanted to get a new message and a new voice.”

FILE - In this Feb. 17, 2018, file photo, Washington Nationals pitching coach Derek Lilliquist, left, talks with pitcher Max Scherzer during baseball spring training in West Palm Beach, Fla. The Nationals have fired Lilliquist. Minor league pitching coordinator Paul Menhart has been promoted to replace Lilliquist. General manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement Thursday, May 2, moments after the Nationals defeated the St. Louis Cardinals 2-1. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson, File)

Rizzo reiterated his support for manager Dave Martinez and said the two made the decision together.

The victory Thursday prevented a four-game sweep and improved Washington’s record to 13-17.

Despite an imposing rotation highlighted by three-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer, three-time All-Star Stephen Strasburg and $140 million free agent Patrick Corbin, the Nationals began the day with a 4.95 ERA that ranked 13th out of 15 NL teams.

Washington’s relievers were last in the NL with a 6.02 ERA, though the bullpen has improved of late.

“I was surprised, to be honest,” closer Sean Doolittle said after earning his fourth save.

“I know that the bullpen didn’t get off to the start that we wanted to, but here kind of over the homestand over the last week or so things have really fallen into place nicely. The starters all year long have done really, really well.”

Lilliquist, the Cardinals’ pitching coach from 2013-17, was hired after Martinez replaced Dusty Baker.

Menhart has served as the team’s minor league pitching co-ordinator since 2015. This year marks his 14th season in the Nationals organization.

“It’s not easy,” Martinez said about firing Lilliquist. “But I feel like moving forward, this is the best for the team.”

“Paul Menhart, who I’ve known now for a couple of years, who I’ve talked and worked with, he brings a different kind of energy. He’s positive. He’s a technician. He knows analytics. A lot of our pitchers here have worked with him throughout their whole minor league careers.”

___

More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports