On the bullpen's three-game turnaround and Ross' role in it

OK, it's only three games on the heels of 25 games with decidedly worse results. It's going to take much more time for the Nationals bullpen to be considered fixed after a disastrous opening month to the season.

But that doesn't mean the last three days can't be viewed with optimism, because it's been a night-and-day performance for this beleaguered group.

Beginning with Erick Fedde's four-inning appearance Sunday in relief of Jeremy Hellickson, the Nationals bullpen has turned itself around with sustained excellence. After tossing eight combined scoreless innings during Sunday's win over the Padres, the relievers produced four scoreless innings Monday against the Cardinals and then another four scoreless frames Tuesday night.

That's 16 total innings with zero runs allowed, not to mention 21 strikeouts and only four walks. The Nationals opened play Sunday with an major league-worst 7.34 ERA. They'll enter tonight's game with a 5.95 ERA, comfortably ahead of the now 30th place Orioles at 6.59.

What's the biggest difference?

"I really feel like the last few days, they've been pitching with conviction and attacking the strike zone and utilizing all their pitches," manager Davey Martinez said. "When you can do that, you start getting a little confidence. You just go out there and know who you are and start throwing more strikes."

It's also notable which members of the bullpen have been contributing. Fedde, of course, tossed those four scoreless innings Sunday. Fellow starter-turned-reliever Joe Ross has made two appearances, both in the late innings of close games.

That continues a trend for the right-hander, who since his conversion has worked his way into high-leverage situations and appears to have earned his manager's trust as the new setup man in front of Sean Doolittle.

Martinez isn't quite ready to go that far, though. Not because Ross hasn't pitched well enough to earn the role, but because of the organization's desire to protect his surgically repaired elbow.

"I kind of like him where he's at right now," Martinez said. "But then again, like we talked about earlier, we've got to make sure I don't overuse him. Because he has come off an arm injury, I just want to make sure I take care of him. He didn't throw much yesterday, so hopefully he's available today."

Perhaps the most impressive aspect of this three-game run is the fact every member of the bullpen has chipped in, except for Doolittle. The closer was unavailable during Sunday's win because he pitched the two previous days, then wasn't used Monday or Tuesday with the Nationals trailing.