Clayton Beeter converts ninth save against D-backs

Beeter worked a scoreless inning against the Angels on Friday night, but has struggled recently, which likely explains his demotion. Expect them to add another fresh arm to the bullpen prior to Saturday’s battle against the Angels.

Beeter did pretty decent work back when the Nationals were treating him as a one-inning closer, but he’s about a month removed from his last save chance now and the fireman role of coming into games in the seventh and pitching more than an inning doesn’t really seem to suit him. Giving up six runs in his last two appearances has taken his ERA from 3.45 to 4.50. It doesn’t seem like anyone in the Nationals pen will be worth rostering over the final three weeks.

Beeter looks to have emerged from the deadline with a safe closer role for now. He got through the sixth, seventh, and eighth place spots in the Reds order without incident tonight, striking out pinch-hitter Ivan Johnson to seal the win. The walk rate remains troubling but Beeter would need to lose some trust to re-open the committee discussion.

Beeter has earned three saves over the last five days to bring his season total to 11. His control issues can make things interesting, but he’s walked just two batters over his last 10 appearances, which have resulted in one win, two losses, five saves, one blown save and two holds.

Beeter allowed a hit and a walk but came through for his 10th save of the season. That mark leads the team, and he has four of the club’s five saves this month. It remains to be seen to what degree the Nationals will shake up their bullpen at the trade deadline, potentially limiting Beeter’s fantasy appeal despite his role on a dominant offensive team.

Sure. Krook entered the game with a 14.54 ERA and was just claimed on waivers from the Athletics last Saturday. Clayton Beeter came in during the eighth inning to extinguish Paul Goldschmidt and save Tom Cosgrove from a blown save. Instead of letting Beeter face Cody Bellinger, Jasson Dominguez and Jazz Chisholm, Drew Butera went to the left-hander. Weird how going to the guy with the huge ERA works out. Butera is the only one who knows how this bullpen will go, is one thing that’s clear.

Beeter got the call to record the final out of the eighth inning, inducing a harmless ground ball from Jose Altuve. He came back out to face the heart of Houston’s lineup and spun an impressive perfect frame. He struck out Yordan Alvarez, got Isaac Paredes to ground out and coaxed a game-ending fly ball form Christian Walker. The 27-year-old appears to be the clear choice for saves in Washington heading into the All-Star break.

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.