Detwiler thrives in the clutch

By Robert Daski

Published: September 10, 2008

Ross Detwiler sat in the visitor's clubhouse at BB&T Coastal Field playing a card game with fellow pitchers Jeff Mandel and Erik Arnesen.

Card games keep Detwiler relaxed between starts. But participating in those contests illustrates his passion for com-petition. 

"I'm always competing, whether it's in cards, in a baseball game or anywhere else," said Detwiler, another one of the Potomac Nationals' starting pitchers.

Detwiler will show his competitive side again tonight as Potomac's starter for game three of the Mills Cup series against Myrtle Beach.

"Any game you pitch in the postseason is going to be really important," Detwiler said. "You've got to show up for your team and keep them in the game the whole time and give them a chance to win."

Detwiler, whom the Washington Nationals chose with the sixth overall pick in the June 2007 draft, did that last Friday. He tossed five and a third innings in Potomac's 1-0 win over Wilmington to give Potomac the North-ern Division series and the right to advance to the championship round.

Detwiler allowed only two hits and recorded four strikeouts. Even the five walks he issued did not come back to bite him.

"Against Wilmington, we lined him up to have a chance to pitch the clinching game because he showed he could handle the pressure," Nationals pitching coach Randy Tomlin said. "He's certainly good enough to have that pressure on him."

Tomlin knows Detwiler can respond in big games. He watched Detwiler pitch when Potomac clinched the first half Northern Division title and the second half title.

While Detwiler excelled against Wilmington this year, he will face a Myrtle Beach lineup packed with power hitters. Six Pelicans batters hit at least 16 home runs during the regular season.

The Pelicans hit two home runs in game two off Mandel. One blast came from Ernesto Mejia, whose 21 home runs led all Carolina League hitters in the regular season.

"Wilmington is more of a slap speed team and Myrtle Beach drives the ball more," Detwiler said. "The goal is to keep the ball down. Hopefully I execute my pitches."

He enters his outing having beaten the Pelicans on May 14 and with a better understanding of how to attack their hitters.

"He's made a few adjustments within his delivery and he's getting more consistent so that his stuff is more consistent," Tomlin said.

"He's given his stuff a chance to get over the plate. I think he'll do well."

Tonight's game, which is the third of the series, begins at 7:05 at Pfitzner Stadium.