Are recent bullpen struggles a big problem or sign of first half fatigue?

Manager Dusty Baker has been monitoring the status of his bullpen and had hoped Tanner Roark's seven innings Wednesday would be the bridge they would need to hit the ground running in New York.

But Lucas Giolito managed only 3 2/3 innings, and the bullpen was tasked with holding the rest of the game. It didn't work out as the Nationals relinquished a two-run lead and lost 9-7.

The Wilmer Flores three-run shot in the fifth was the biggest of swings. It was one of the Citi Field record eight homers hit in the game.

Left-hander Oliver Perez got four outs but allowed four hits and three runs. Perez had been coming off six straight scoreless outings.

The rest of the bullpen also struggled to keep the Mets from adding on. Matt Belisle recorded four outs but also allowed a run on a solo homer. Sammy Solis got one out allowed one run on two hits with three walks.

It wasn't a great game for the bullpen, and some have been knocked around recently, but the numbers overall for the most part are solid.

Blake Treinen is at 2.31 ERA. Belisle is at 2.50 ERA. Solis is at 2.43. Yusmeiro Petit is at 2.62 ERA. Shawn Kelley is at 2.76 ERA. Jonathan Papelbon is at 3.04 ERA. Perez is at 5.01 and Felipe Rivero is at 5.22.

Starting pitching has done a good job building the lead for the Nats, but when the starters can't go six or seven innings, does the bullpen need to be better? Of course. Most of this season, they have been. So is this just a matter of fatigue?

Many thought the Nationals would look for an alternate closer as the season moves along. But should the Nationals also be looking for secondary pieces in the bullpen?

On the farm, right-hander Rafael Martin had 15 saves and has finished 28 games for Triple-A Syracuse. He was called up for a day last week. Bryce's brother left-hander Bryan Harper has a 2.92 ERA. Right-hander Koda Glover has come up to appear in six games and has not allowed a run in 8 1/3 innings. Left-hander Matt Grace has been rehabbing with the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League Nationals.

It would seem that the Nationals will look to just fight through these final three games before the All-Star break and get the bullpen and the rest of the team a much needed four-day rest. They could make some tweaks by installing some of their talent from Triple-A. But it is very rare to be able to find a solution on the open market, unless another team that thought they were contending decides to sell some of their valued reliever commodities. Whether it is a closer or a late inning arm, Mike Rizzo will be studying.