BY TODD JACOBSON
PHILADELPHIA--There was a time during Jesus Colome's career when he regularly lit up radar guns with triple-digit numbers.
But if Colome has learned anything during his resurgent season with the Nationals, it's that faster isn't always better.
"Now I want to pitch," said Colome, whose nine-inning scoreless streak ended yesterday when he gave up a two-run homer to Jimmy Rollins. "The last couple years, I want to throw hard, throw hard. Now I don't care about hard. I am patient and I use my breaking ball in any situation in the game."
In doing so, he's begun to resurrect a once-promising career. Colome was once a top prospect with the Oakland Athletics and he became Tampa Bay's closer-in-waiting when he was traded to the Devil Rays in 2000.
He bounced between Tampa Bay and the minors from 2001 to 2005, struggling with his control and the adjustment to the majors. He also was involved in a car crash in 2003 that killed three people in the Dominican Republic. Colome escaped serious injury.
By the end of his career with the Devil Rays, he said he had lost his desire to pitch. He even asked to be traded at one point.
"It's a lot different right now," Colome said. "I am having more fun in the game. I have more hunger to play. Sometimes, the last couple years, I feel like I don't want to come out to the mound."
He was released by the Devil Rays after one appearance last year and picked up by the New York Yankees, but his most important move came this winter, when he hooked up with Nationals official Jose Rijo. Colome and Rijo, a special assistant to general manager Jim Bowden, worked on developing Colome's slider.
Colome also dialed down his fastball to improve his control, though his fastball still has plenty of zip. It has been consistently clocked around 93 mph this season, but he's mixed in his changeup and slider more.
He is 2-0 with a 2.81 ERA in 16 innings pitched this season.
"If you can throw 99 and have a 6.00 ERA, you can have it," pitching coach Randy St. Claire said. "I'd rather have a guy throw 92 and throw the ball well and be under control and help us get a few wins. He's pitching right now."
An opportunity in leftChris Snelling and Michael Restovich haven't done much to shine in left field, so Robert Fick got his shot yesterday.
Fick started in left field for the first time this season, in part because of a favorable match-up against Phillies right-hander Jon Lieber as well as a chance for Fick to prove himself.
Restovich is hitting .286 in six games, but he has just two hits in his last 12 at-bats, and Snelling is batting .233 in 18 games. Fick was 0-for-2 and lowered his average to .143.
"It's not like we have somebody there in left field like in center and in right," manager Manny Acta said. "We're still looking for an answer there until [Nook] Logan comes back."
Ryan Church will move from center field to left field when Logan (strained left foot) returns from the disabled list, but until then, Fick is well aware that an opportunity could present itself.
"I know I am a bench player on this team," Fick said. "I am not going to get too far ahead of myself, but I sure would like to play there a lot."
Extra basesLeft-hander Ray King (left shoulder tendinitis) will make a rehabilitation appearance at Double-A Harrisburg today. King, who is eligible to come off the 15-day disabled list Friday, will pitch the first inning of Harrisburg's game at Reading (Pa.).
The Nationals' first-inning futility has reached record proportions. Washington didn't score a run in the first inning yesterday, stretching their National League record.
The 1975 Cincinnati Reds were held scoreless in the first inning of their first 19 games. The 1948 Chicago White Sox didn't score in the first inning for 21 straight games.
Todd Jacobson: 540/735-1974