Clayton Beeter notches four-out save vs. Astros

Lovelady got the call to face pinch-hitter Derek Hill in the final frame after Orlando Ribalta issued a two-out walk to Kyle Schwarber after a 10-pitch battle that put the tying run on-base. The 30-year-old southpaw wound up surrendering a go-ahead blast to Hill with two strikes that saddled him with both a blown save and a loss. Clayton Beeter is probably Washington’s best ninth-inning option, but he’s had his struggles recently as well. Things continue to be a mess in close ballgames for the Nationals bullpen.

The Nats were up 5-3 after seven tonight, but Richard Lovelady and Clayton Beeter combined to give up three runs in the eighth. All of the runs were charged to Lovelady, but the big blow was JT Realmuto’s three-run double off Beeter, who was charged with a blown save tonight after earning a save Monday. Since Beeter was pitching for the third time in four days, he wasn’t a candidate to come back out after the Nationals reclaimed the lead in the bottom of the eighth. Instead, Lord, typically a middle reliever, was handed an 8-6 lead. He struck out Edmundo Sosa and Justin Crawford to start the ninth and then gave up five straight hits, two of which were homers. After the next batter walked, Lord departed, and Paxton Schultz came in and gave up two more runs before finally finishing the inning. it’s the first real blemish of the year for Lord, who hadn’t previously been brought in with a lead in the ninth. He had been 5-0 with one two-inning save, four holds and no blown saves. His ERA jumped from 2.29 to 3.31. Beeter probably remains the favorite for saves in D.C., but since he’ll be unavailable Wednesday, perhaps Gus Varland could close.

Beeter has two saves in three days. He had saves on back-to-back days May 30-31 and then got none of the Nationals’ next three opportunities over the first 19 days of June. Beeter has been effective in amassing a 3.57 ERA, but it’s still kind of scary that he’s walked 16 (three intentionally) through 23 1/3 innings. His stuff is closer-quality, but he’s walked 16 percent of the batters he’s faced as a major leaguer and was at 15 percent in his 133 career innings in Triple-A.

Beeter got the call to close out the game against the Rays in the ninth inning with a two-run lead. He walked the leadoff man, who stole two bases to get to third, then gave up a run on a base hit. He then induced a flyout, then struck out two to preserve the win and pick up his fifth save.

Clayton Beeter, who has reemerged as the favorite for saves in D.C., entered in the seventh and wound up with the win despite allowing two runs in the eighth, giving the Giants a 3-1 lead. The Nationals, though, came back with three in the top of the ninth, and Varland shut the door from there. We’re not sure any Nationals reliever is worth rostering in 10- or 12-team leagues at the moment, but Beeter is probably still the best bet of the group. Varland’s save was his first since May 7.

Beeter entered with the bases loaded and two outs in the seventh and struck out Kyle Stowers to end the rally. Unfortunately, he couldn’t keep it going in the eighth. After a walk and a single, Jakob Marsee went to put down a sac bunt, only to wind up with a single because Curtis Mead was very late in charging the ball from third base. Joe Mack later hit a two-run single with two outs. Beeter might still be the favorite for saves in D.C., but as today’s usage showed, he’s not being saved for the ninth.

Beeter struck out one and allowed one hit, registering his second save in as many days. The four saves tie him with Gus Varland and Richard Lovelady for the team lead. Beeter’s 15/12 K/BB ratio makes him untrustworthy in most fantasy leagues, but he’ll remain part of this closer-by-committee going forward. It’ll be worth tracking if the Nationals trade away any relievers come July, which could open up a consolidated closer role for anyone who remains.

Beeter, who replaced Gus Varland, stranded the bases loaded by retiring Ty France to end the eighth. The Nationals then gave him two extra runs to work with heading into the ninth, and he pitched a scoreless inning despite walking two. It’s Beeter’s first save in four appearances since returning from the injured list. Consider him to be very much in the mix for saves in D.C., but it’s hard to say that any of the team’s relievers are worth rostering in shallow leagues right now.

Beeter has been sidelined since April 26th due to forearm soreness, but all his imaging came back clean. He began a rehab assignment last week and is now ready to return to his late-inning role. Before the injury, Beeter had posted a 3.48 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, and a 9/8 K/BB ratio over his first 10 1/3 innings while notching a pair of saves. Since he has been hurt, Richard Lovelady has recorded three saves and been a solid late-innings option for the Nationals as well. It would be likely that the two would form some sort of tandem in the short term.

The move seems intended to clear a roster spot for Nationals closer Clayton Beeter to return from the injured list for Thursday’s finale against the Mets. Poulin holds a respectable 2.91 ERA, 1.48 WHIP and 16/14 K/BB ratio across 21 2/3 innings this season