District On Deck
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World Series: 3 takeaways as Nationals allow Astros to tie things up in Game 4

By Jake Mastroianni

HOUSTON, TX - OCTOBER 19: Fans cheer as Jose Urquidy #65 of the Houston Astros walks to the dugout after the fifth inning against the New York Yankees during Game Six of the League Championship Series at Minute Maid Park on October 19, 2019 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX - OCTOBER 19: Fans cheer as Jose Urquidy #65 of the Houston Astros walks to the dugout after the fifth inning against the New York Yankees during Game Six of the League Championship Series at Minute Maid Park on October 19, 2019 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /
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WASHINGTON, DC – OCTOBER 26: Fernando  Rodney #56 of the Washington Nationals is taken out of the game against the Houston Astros during the seventh inning in Game Four of the 2019 World Series at Nationals Park on October 26, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – OCTOBER 26: Fernando  Rodney #56 of the Washington Nationals is taken out of the game against the Houston Astros during the seventh inning in Game Four of the 2019 World Series at Nationals Park on October 26, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

About that bullpen…

I wrote earlier on Saturday about whether or not this Nationals bullpen had turned a corner and was actually good.

They showed in Game 4 why that’s still not the case.

As I wrote earlier, I thought Corbin pitched a decent game and at least kept the Nationals in it through 6 innings.

Dave Martinez went to his more trusted relievers in the seventh to try and keep the game close, but neither Tanner Rainey or Fernando Rodney had it working as both gave up 2 runs.

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Both continued their struggles with walks as they combined to issue 5 free passes in just two-thirds of an inning.

And it was Rodney who gave up the grand slam that allowed the Astros to put the game away.

Wander Suero had to come on and get the Nationals out of the seventh. And then Javy Guerra pitched a clean inning.

As I talked about in the article linked above, even though the Washington bullpen has shown some promise at times in this World Series, Sean Doolittle and Daniel Hudson are the only arms you can trust out of the bullpen.

And those are the only two guys you will see used the rest of the way if the Nationals have a lead late — outside of a starter being used in relief.

With the game being a blowout, both teams will have their top bullpen arms available for Game 5. The only exception might be Will Harris for the Astros who came in to put out that sixth inning fire.

Next. Suzuki injured, might be replaced on roster. dark

These two teams will have one more game in DC on Sunday night for Game 5 before going back to Houston.

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