Nationals: Biggest Takeaways from 7-6 Loss in Cleveland

Jul 26, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Washington Nationals relief pitcher Jonathan Papelbon (58) walks off the field during a pitching change in the ninth inning against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 26, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Washington Nationals relief pitcher Jonathan Papelbon (58) walks off the field during a pitching change in the ninth inning against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
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Jul 26, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Washington Nationals relief pitcher Jonathan Papelbon (58) walks off the field during a pitching change in the ninth inning against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 26, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Washington Nationals relief pitcher Jonathan Papelbon (58) walks off the field during a pitching change in the ninth inning against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /

The Washington Nationals watched one slip right out of their hands as the Cleveland Indians rallied for three runs in the ninth inning to beat them 7-6 Tuesday evening. What were the biggest takeaways from the concerning defeat?

Entering play on Tuesday, the Nationals (58-42) were 4-5 since the All-Star Break. After taking two of three from the Pirates to kick off the second half, Washington won only one game apiece against the Dodgers and Padres. Things don’t get much easier from here, as the Nats will only face one opponent with a record under .500 in their next 13 games.

Gio Gonzalez (6-8, 4.44 ERA) struggled to get into a groove with catcher Wilson Ramos early, crossing up his backstop on several pitches. This led to two first inning runs for the Indians (57-41), including one run scored on a passed ball that went between Ramos’s legs. Gio settled in after that however, setting down ten straight hitters at one point.

Prior to the game, Dusty Baker finally caved to the media’s clamor for a shake-up in the lineup. Trea Turner made his center field debut and hit leadoff, Bryce Harper was moved up to the No. 2 spot, and Ben Revere shifted down to ninth in the order. Turner impressed both at the plate and in the field, manufacturing a run in the first inning with his speed and making a tough catch at the wall. Anthony Rendon and Wilson Ramos each left the yard, helping an offense show some signs of life that it had lacked during their last homestand.

All was well for the Nats until the game was turned over to the bullpen. Blake Treinen allowed an inherited runner from Gonzalez to score in the seventh, although he did force a double play to end the inning. However, Felipe Rivero gave up a run as well in the eighth, setting up Cleveland’s ninth inning comeback off Jonathan Papelbon. They scored three runs without Papelbon even recording an out, ballooning the Nats closer’s ERA to 4.18.

What were the biggest takeaways from Tuesday night’s action?

Next: Bullpen Help?

May 26, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals manager Dusty Baker (12) and pitching coach Mike Maddux (51) stand at the top of the dugout during the eighth inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Nationals Park. Washington Nationals defeated St. Louis Cardinals 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
May 26, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals manager Dusty Baker (12) and pitching coach Mike Maddux (51) stand at the top of the dugout during the eighth inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Nationals Park. Washington Nationals defeated St. Louis Cardinals 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /

The Nats Need Some Bullpen Help

At first glance, all seems to be well for the relief corps in Washington. Their bullpen ERA of 3.05 ranks fourth in the majors and Jonathan Papelbon is eighth in the National League in saves. However, with a closer look—no pun intended—there are some serious problems. Papelbon’s 4.18 ERA is the highest mark of any reliever with at least 20 save opportunities, and his 8.4 K/9 ranks 59th among relievers with at least 20 innings pitched.

The problem for the Nats is if they’re going to go out and trade for an established closer, he’s going to come at a high price. They lost out on the Aroldis Chapman sweepstakes, who was shipped to Chicago for three top prospects and an established major leaguer in Adam Warren. Washington was unwilling to meet that price for a two-month rental, and no one can blame them for it. Now, the top relievers left are the Yankees’ Andrew Miller and Royals’ Wade Davis, who have an additional year of control than Chapman but even higher price tags.

Provided that the Nationals go for it, they will almost certainly have to give up one of their top prospects. Trea Turner is contributing in the big leagues right now, leaving either Reynaldo Lopez or Lucas Giolito as the likely candidates. If Mike Rizzo and Co. decides a closer isn’t worth their coveted arms, look for them to dive into the Jeremy Jeffress and Jeanmar Gomez markets to throw a more reliable set up man into the mix.

The time is now for the Nats to go all-in on their current roster. While avoiding Chapman was the smart decision, both Davis and Miller have team control through next season. A trade will cut deep into their farm system, but it will solve a handful of problems for their major league club right now.

Next: Providing the Spark

Jul 21, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals second baseman Trea Turner (7) leads off first base during the first inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 21, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals second baseman Trea Turner (7) leads off first base during the first inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /

Trea Turner is Exactly the Spark this Offense Needs

The Nationals need Trea Turner batting leadoff every day. Period. End of story. With a league-low .587 OPS out of the top spot in the batting order, there is no doubt that the table-setter has been the biggest hole in their lineup all season. Ben Revere has looked completely lost since missing a month with an oblique strain and Michael Taylor took his .222 batting average down to AAA to work on cutting down the strikeouts. As a result, Turner has had to learn how to play the outfield, leaving Dusty no excuse for keeping him on the bench.

Turner, who has reached base in every game he’s started since the All-Star Break, has game-changing speed that is rare to find across baseball. Washington hasn’t had the luxury of an everyday leadoff man since Denard Span’s last full season with the team in 2014. While Turner is still making adjustments and will undoubtedly strike out more than most would like out of a leadoff guy, he remains an upgrade over Revere and Taylor and makes up for it with his speed.

In eleven games this season, Trea has already swiped five bags and smacked three triples. He is a threat on the basepaths no matter who’s on the mound, something the District hasn’t seen since Alfonso Soriano. It would be a huge mistake to continue hoping for Revere’s turnaround. While his struggles are a head scratcher, a team in first place cannot afford to have such a crucial spot in the lineup filled by an automatic out.

Next: Don't Worry About Bryce

Jul 21, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals right fielder Bryce Harper (34) in the batters box during the first inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 21, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals right fielder Bryce Harper (34) in the batters box during the first inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /

Stay Patient with Bryce Harper

A three-month long slump is nothing to bat an eye at, but don’t worry about Bryce Harper. The reigning MVP and NL Player of the Month in April is not far removed from his All-Star ways.

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After hitting into some tough luck outs against the Indians Tuesday, Harper is showing signs at the plate that a turnaround could be soon. Lest you forget, Bryce still has an on-base percentage of .380 that puts him in the top eleven in the National League.

Sure, maybe you don’t buy into the idea that walks are all that valuable (a sadly mistaken notion, but we’ll go with it). Harper is going to be joining the hit parade soon enough, as bad luck can only last so long. Among the 159 qualified hitters in the majors, Bryce has the third worst batting average on balls in play (.237). I’d also like to note that Ryan Zimmerman is right above him at .238, but that is a story for another time.

Next: Nats Trade Target: Wade Davis

While Harper’s .240 batting average is pretty unsightly, he has not lost a step in the power department. According to Fangraphs, his .218 isolated power is actually the second highest mark of his career, having already exceeded 30 extra-base hits through only 96 games played.

Harper is also making contact at a higher rate than in previous years, putting the bat to the ball on 86 percent of pitches in the strike zone. Don’t worry about Bryce Harper, he’s certainly not giving up on himself, and neither should you.

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