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After being sent back and forth to Syracuse twice this season, reliever Jason Bergmann is back in Washington today and ready to help the team's struggling bullpen have a better second half of the season.

In Syracuse, Bergmann performed well consistently and kept his mind focused on returning to D.C. "I know that it's not the end of the world. You pitch well, you get back up. You earn the chance," he said prior to Sunday's game.

"You take a day to reflect. Obviously, you're never happy going down. Even when you deserve it, you're not happy," Bergmann said, reflecting on his mid-June demotion.

In 19 relief appearances with Syracuse, he went 1-1 with two saves, four holds and a 1.16 ERA. Batters hit just .212 against him. Now, he is anxious to get back on the mound, throw strikes and be a difference-maker in the Nationals bullpen.

"We've had tough times -- I've been part of the tough times. I've been part of some good times here. But, it's still baseball. You have to forget about yesterday and remember, think about today and go after it like it's a completely new day," Bergmann said.

And in many ways, July does bring a fresh start for Bergmann, the bullpen and the entire team. Today, the Nationals host their last home game of the first half of the season. After a quick roadtrip to Colorado and Houston, the team will enjoy the All Star Break before returning for a stronger second half.

"I'd to think that everybody in this locker room wants to win. I know they do. I know everybody wants to win. And I think that just pulling everything together - the offense, the defense, the pitching staff - pull everything together and make it work. I think there's plenty of talent in this room. Everybody can fit in just right and we can do well. The game is played on the field, we just need to go out there and do it," he continued.