Nats bullpen at long last finding its groove

It was bound to get better at some point. Really, how couldn’t it?

As much as the Nationals bullpen struggled through the season’s first month-plus, it was hard to believe that group could sustain such a low level of performance over the long haul. Through the season’s first 39 games, this relief corps owned a collective 7.29 ERA, worst in the majors and a number that would be historically bad over a full 162-game slate.

Slowly but surely, though, things are stabilizing. The Nats aren’t necessarily getting dominant bullpen work now, but they’re certainly getting quality work from that group: Over their last 10 games, relievers have combined for a 3.12 ERA. That’s eighth-best in the majors during this span.

“I think we’re just getting into the groove of the season a little bit,” right-hander Cole Henry said. “Everybody’s trying to get out there and get outs and do what’s best for this team: Get wins and keep stacking them.”

That’s exactly what has been happening of late. The Nationals have won four in a row, and during Tuesday’s 5-3 victory over the Braves the bullpen played a significant role. Henry, Jose A. Ferrer, Jorge López and Kyle Finnegan collectively tossed 3 2/3 scoreless innings, that quartet retiring 11 of the 12 batters it faced to close out the game with little margin for error.

What changed? Well, it’s impossible to ignore the literal changes in the makeup of the bullpen, with struggling arms dropped. First it was Eduardo Salazar, optioned to Triple-A Rochester when starter Michael Soroka came off the injured list, bumping Brad Lord to the pen. Then it was Colin Poche, designated for assignment to make room for newly signed lefty Andrew Chafin. And then finally it was Lucas Sims getting released after his latest and final blowup, replaced by Zach Brzykcy.

Since that Sims transaction after a 10-0 loss to the Cardinals on May 9, the Nationals have seen their bullpen churn out its best work of the season.

And they’ve been doing it with some less-experienced arms.

“Honestly, other than Finnegan at the back end, we’re relying a lot on our young guys,” manager Davey Martinez said.

Indeed, Henry and Jackson Rutledge have slowly seen their workloads increase, and especially their usage in situations of more consequence. The two young right-handers both have pitched in 14 games and sport nearly identical ERAs: 2.76 for Henry, 2.75 for Rutledge.

Henry, in particular, has thrived. Aside from one five-run blowup April 28 against the Mets, he has pitched scoreless ball in his other 14 major league appearances, allowing fewer than one batter to reach base per inning.

“I think just trying to take it every outing, a pitch at a time, not trying to do too much,” the former top starting prospect turned reliever said of his consistency. “Just sticking to the basics: Throw strikes, compete and just let my stuff try to work and see how it goes.”

The Nationals also have seen a return to form from their top setup men. Ferrer also had a five-run blowup May 6 against the Guardians but hasn’t been scored upon in any of his other nine appearances this month. López has been a bit more erratic but has now authored three straight scoreless appearances.

Combine those with the steady work of Finnegan – who is now tied for the league lead with 15 saves – and a Nationals bullpen that looked like a mess not long ago suddenly looks like a group that can actually be counted upon to close out games.