Nats’ pitchers developing fun rivalry — at the plate

WASHINGTON — With the game tied in the 10th inning Sunday and the Nationals out of position players, pitcher Joe Ross was sent up to pinch-hit.

Ross’ at-bat was good for Washington — he smacked a base hit — and also helpful for Ross’ standing in the most important of categories: the team’s best hitting pitcher. That title sparks intense competition among the Nationals’ starters, who swing for the fences in batting practice and carefully track their counterparts’ at-bats during games.

“Everyone’s always battling for ‘Who’s the best hitter?’ role,” Ross said Tuesday. “Who’s the first pitcher off the bench when we have no position players left?”

Ross was quick to point out that his two prime competitors for that pinch-hit spot Sunday had either pitched that day (Stephen Strasburg) or were due to start the following game (Max Scherzer), but Ross might have gotten the nod anyway. He leads the team’s starters, one of the best hitting groups in the National League, in both batting average (.429, 3-for-7) and batting …

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