Craig Stammen is the starting pitcher tonight for the Washington Nationals against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Stammen pitched for Versailles High School, then the Dayton Flyers, before a 4-year journey through the minors - including a stop with the Savannah Sand Gnats.
Stammen has been great in the minors this year, with a 1.80 ERA and four wins in seven starts at AAA. He now joins an atrocious Washington Nationals pitching staff, so hopefully any degree of success will keep him in the majors.
Stammen is the son of Jeff and Connie Stammen of Versailles. For more information, check out Chuck Ludwig's excellent article at daytondailynews.com - here.
Check back later for follow-up on Craig's first big-league game ...
Update: Stammen retired the side in order in the 1st inning, hitting 91 mph several times.
Update 2: After 3 innings, Stammen has not given up a hit or walk, while striking out 2. The Nationals lead 2-0.
Update 3: 4 perfect innings!
Update 4: Darn. Stammen pitched 6 strong innings, giving up only one run. But in the 7th Stammen ran out of gas and gave up 3 earned runs before being relieved. Stammen left with the Nationals behind, but they regained the lead and won 5-4. Stammen gets a no-decision with this line: 6.1 IP, 4 H, 4 ER, 1 W, 3 K. Absent the 7th inning, this was a great outing. And in the end, Stammen gave his team 6+ strong innings in a game they ultimately won. Did Stammen earn a second start? Definitely.
