Well, if there is any silver lining to the Washington Nationals' collapse against the San Francisco Giants yesterday, it might just be the fact that their ultimate fall might have been the second worst loss of the day, only behind the San Antonio Spurs. While both losses were ultimate collapses, nothing can top losing a 29-point lead in a must-win game.
However, it also doesn't completely give the Nationals a pass for their demise yesterday, in what was arguably their worst loss since one of their signature playoff losses of the 2010s. With the team up 9-1 entering the 8th inning, the Nationals and NL Rookie of the Year candidate Foster Griffin, who pitched an absolute gem, slowly watched their big lead evaporate at the hands of their bullpen.
It ultimately ended with rookie Giants slugger Bryce Eldridge hitting a walk-off grand slam off Mitchell Parker with the Giants trailing 10-7, giving them an 11-10 win for a club that was in desperate need of a huge win. If you didn't watch the collapse, don't blame yourself, as no team should be capable of blowing an 8-run lead with only 6 outs to go. Overall, it was just a completely inexcusable loss.
The Nationals' bullpen needs to be shaken up...desperately
Well, there is really only 1 way for the Nationals' bullpen to go at this point, and you would hope that that direction is up. Paxton Schultz, who had been one of the better relievers on the Nationals so far this season, allowed 4 hits, 3 walks, and 5 earned runs in his lone inning of work after relieving Griffin in the 7th inning, bringing the score to 9-6.
However, after a scoreless 8th from Orlando Ribalta, who has been a very pleasant revelation for the unit as a whole, the 9th inning dmage was undone by a pair of pitchers who are likely about done.
Gus Varland allowed 3 earned runs on a walk and 2 hits while failing to record an out in the 9th, raising his ERA to 5.11 on the season. Mitchell Parker tried to close things out afterwards, and allowed 2 more earned runs on 2 hits, ultimately allowing the walk-off slam to Eldridge, raising his ERA to 5.91 on the year.
The bottom line is that neither Varland nor Parker can be trusted in any legitimate situations of leverage, and at this point they can't really be trusted in mop-up duty. Varland had some good moments earlier this year, and Parker at one point looked like he was in the running to earn back a rotation spot. But after yesterday's collapse, the Nationals would be facing addition by subtraction by going in another direction.
What was your reaction to the Nationals' collapse yesterday against the Giants? As always, please let me know on X, @DCBerk.
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