The Nats led 3-0 entering the top of the 6th, but in less than a half hour they yielded eight Guardian runs on their way to an 8-6 loss. Mark & Al evaluate Michael Soroka, who initially seemed to have an excellent outing coming off the IL, but his scoreless effort turned into being tagged with four Cleveland runs. Soroka took the mound in the 6th after needing only 67 pitches prior to that frame.

(9:25) Jorge Lopez & Andrew Chafin each struggled mightily in the nightmare inning, including a run scoring wild pitch. The low key positive came from Cole Henry, who tossed three scoreless innings to keep the game in striking distance.

(13:30) The offense scored six runs off of 13 hits, but Davey Martinez was critical of their 4 for 19 effort with RISP in his postgame press conference.

(23:00) What is swirling in GM Mike Rizzo's head regarding the state of the bullpen?

(31:30) Washington hosts St. Louis & Erick Fedde on Friday night. Fedde has made seven starts this season and is sporting a 4.78 ERA.

The Nats opened the doubleheader vs. Cleveland with their 3rd straight win, but that momentum was halted just a few hours later. Mark & Al reluctantly begin again with the bullpen, who overall had an awful Tuesday at the ballpark. They inherited a 6-2 lead in Game 1, but the Guardians immediately scored six runs in the top of the 7th. The offense bailed them out and then Kyle Finnegan notched his 100th career save.

(7:10) The Nationals were trailing when Brad Lord departed Game 2, but the 'pen still managed to give up five runs in only three innings of work. Lucas Sims allowed three runs and his ERA is now up to 12.34.

(14:30) Jake Irvin continued his season long trend of having his roughest inning in the top of the 1st. Irvin was pulled in the 6th and Al offers a suggestion of how the organization should consider handling his future starts.

(17:30) Lord had a good outing, but all signs are pointing to him moving back to the bullpen once Michael Soroka returns from the IL on Wednesday. Lord began the season as a reliever before he was thrust into the rotation due to surrounding injuries.

(27:00) The offense came through with ten hits in the Game 1 victory. James Wood went deep with a 2-run shot for his 10th homer of the year. Dylan Crews had a RBI double to tie the game in the bottom of the 7th; shortly after the bullpen coughed up the lead.

(29:30) The bats were quiet in Game 2, Riley Adams solo HR was the only source of scoring. Josh Bell returned to the lineup after missing three straight games and went hitless in the cleanup spot. The bright spot came from CJ Abrams as he drew a trio of walks in the leadoff spot. Abrams has played at a level where he might return to the All-Star Game this summer.

(36:40) Josh Whetzel, the Voice of the Rochester Red Wings, gives Nats Chat an exclusive report on what is happening at AAA.