Rainey finally locks it down, Cavalli dominates at Triple-A

PHILADELPHIA – The Nationals’ 3-2 win over the Phillies on Wednesday was made possible by Josiah Gray’s six dominant innings (which included a career-high 11 strikeouts). It was made possible by Luis García’s clutch two-run double in the top of the seventh. And it was made possible by the lockdown work of the back end of the bullpen, most notably Tanner Rainey in the bottom of the ninth.

The beleaguered closer entered this game having just suffered through back-to-back ragged outings in D.C., blowing a save by surrendering a two-run homer with two outs in the ninth against the Marlins on Sunday, then taking the loss the following afternoon after serving up a 10th-inning two-run homer.

So when Rainey took the mound Wednesday night, tasked with protecting a one-run lead against a fearsome Phillies lineup, forgive anyone watching for having worst-case-scenario visions creeping into the mind.

No worries, though, because Rainey turned in his best performance in weeks, retiring the side to earn the save.

Things did get off to a shaky start. Rainey issued three straight balls to Darick Hall to open the ninth, forcing both Steve Cishek and Andres Machado to start warming in the Nats bullpen in a hurry. But once he responded with three straight strikes to Hall, the last of which notched his first strikeout of the inning, the right-hander was back on track.

Rainey would get J.T. Realmuto to fly out to right for the second out. Then he punched out Didi Gregorius on three quick pitches, the last of them a rare slider, to end the game and notch his 12th save in 16 attempts.

This was, though, Rainey’s first 1-2-3 inning of relief in more than a month. He last retired the side with ease May 29 against the Rockies, after which he endured through 12 consecutive outings in which he allowed at least one batter to reach base.

* Cade Cavalli isn’t starting for the Nationals in today’s series finale at Citizens Bank Park. But if the organization’s top prospect keeps pitching like he did Wednesday night, it won’t be much longer before he’s called up to make his major league debut.

Cavalli tossed seven scoreless innings against the Phillies’ Triple-A Lehigh Valley club. He retired the first 17 batters he faced, sustaining a perfect game for 5 2/3 innings before finally allowing a hit with two outs in the sixth.

Cavalli wound up allowing only two hits in total while striking out seven, issuing zero walks and throwing 54 of 74 pitches for strikes in arguably the best outing of his brief professional career.

It’s perhaps also notable his catcher Wednesday night was Riley Adams, recently demoted by the Nationals after spending the season’s first three months in the big leagues.

Needing a starter for today’s game to take the spot of injured right-hander Jackson Tetreault, the Nats chose Joan Adon despite his earlier struggles this year. Club officials continue to insist Cavalli won’t be called up until he enjoys some sustained success at Triple-A and appears ready to stick in the majors for the long run.

The 2020 first-round pick is on a nice run now, though. Though he owns a pedestrian 4.54 ERA and and 1.203 WHIP over the course of the entire season, Cavalli has delivered a 2.31 ERA and 0.949 WHIP over his last seven starts.