Washington Nationals: Bullpen Writes New Chapter vs Mets

The Washington Nationals bullpen blew yet another lead.  This time, it was in a three-run eighth inning right after the Nats re-took the lead.

The Washington Nationals offense came to life late in today’s ballgame.  Entering the 6th inning, the Nats were shutout.  After playing small ball in the 6th, and home runs by Anthony Rendon and Wilmer Difo, the Nats did enough to secure a 5-4 win.

The Mets’ runs all came via solo shots as J.D. Davis hit two off of Corbin, and Michael Conforto hit the other off Corbin, and then Pete Alonso and Robinson Cano hit one off of Justin Miller.

Here are some takeaways from this afternoon’s game.

Bullpen Still Awful

What can be said that hasn’t been said already?  Miller and Tony Sipp were the main characters in today’s endeavor.

Miller allowed three hits and two earned runs while Sipp gave up two hits and one earned run while also hitting a batter.

The Nationals will not be a .500 ball club with this bullpen.  It’s as simple as that.  Unless the Nationals offense starts blowing teams out, more games just like this one are inevitable.

Corbin Effective in Second Start

In his first two starts with the Nationals, Corbin is looking like money well spent.  Despite getting sick with the long ball bug today, Corbin still posted a quality start — 6 IP / 6 H / 1 BB / 3 ER / 9 K’s and a no-decision.

Corbin’s career HR/9 mark entering today’s game is 1.01, so don’t expect this home run issue to continue.  Davis got hot, and it happens.  Baseball is a sport with insane variance.

The takeaway should be that all three home runs were solo home runs because of how great Corbin was pitching otherwise.  He only allowed four other baserunners and posted nine strikeouts.

That is the quality pitcher the Nats paid big money for, and so far he is paying dividends.

The Nationals are back in action tomorrow looking for a series win against the Mets.  The Nats have the pitching advantage as Max Scherzer opposes Zack Wheeler.