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Nationals: Bullpen Hits Breaking Point in Reds’ Loss

By Chris Lacey

Jul 1, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals relief pitcher Sammy Solis (36) pitches against the Cincinnati Reds in the eighth inning at Nationals Park. The Nationals won 3-2 in fourteen innings. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 1, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals relief pitcher Sammy Solis (36) pitches against the Cincinnati Reds in the eighth inning at Nationals Park. The Nationals won 3-2 in fourteen innings. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Washington Nationals mounted a valiant comeback late during Saturday’s game, but an over-taxed bullpen simply ran out of gas in the 10th in a 9-4 loss to the Reds

The Washington Nationals came close to earning another comeback victory, but a bullpen that was already worn down could no longer continue shutting down opponents. The Washington Nationals six-game winning streak ended tonight as they lost 9-4 in ten innings against the Reds.

Adam Duvall gave the Reds a 2-0 lead in the first inning as he lined a double to left field that plated Zack Cozart and Jose Peraza.

Brandon Phillips added an RBI single later in the inning to increase the lead to 3-0. Then, Cozart in the second inning lined a double to give his club a 4-0 cushion.

During the bottom of the third inning, Ben Revere cut the deficit to 4-1 with an RBI triple in the third frame that scored Stephen Drew.

Joe Ross didn’t have his best stuff in this outing. He pitched 5.1 innings, allowing ten hits, yielding four runs, zero walks and striking out two batters on 84 pitches (58 strikes) in a no-decision.

This was the fourth time this season in which Ross failed to complete at least six innings. One positive aspect about the outing is that he didn’t issue a walk.

As for Dan Straily, he had a stellar start for the Reds.

The right-hander went seven innings, surrendering three runs, giving up three hits, issuing three walks, fanning four batters and allowing one home run on 97 pitches (60 strikes) in a no-decision.

Danny Espinosa trimmed the lead to 4-3 with a two-run home run against Straily in the bottom of the eighth. This was the 16th homer of the year for him, which tied him with Bryce Harper for the team lead.

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The Nats kept the pressure on in the eighth inning, as with runners on first and third, Harper tied the game 4-4 with an RBI single to left field.

Felipe Rivero gave the Nationals a huge lift, as the reliever tossed up zeroes for 2 2/3 innings once Ross left the game in the sixth.

Once the game reached extra innings, Tucker Barnhart gave the Reds a 6-4 lead in the tenth inning against Sammy Solis, as he singled in two runs with the bases loaded. After a wild pitch pushed the lead to 7-4, and a Peraza single and Jay Bruce groundout brought the lead to 9-4.

Blake Treinen and Solis combined to throw a scoreless ninth. Solis wasn’t so fortunate in the next inning, as he didn’t record an out and was tagged for four runs (three earned). He suffered his first loss of the season. Matt Belisle got the Nats out of the inning, but he also allowed a run.

The Washington Nationals went down quiet in the bottom of the tenth and Josh Smith picked up his first victory of the season.

Next: Reaction: Sometimes, All You Need Is Luck

Next Game: The Washington Nationals (49-33) will conclude this four-game series with the Cincinnati Reds (30-52) on Sunday. Stephen Strasburg (10-0, 2.90 ERA) returns to the mound for Nats, and for the Reds, it will be John Lamb (1-4, 4.60 ERA) on the mound. You can watch the game at 1:35 p.m. ET on MASN.

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