Martinez still seeks answers for solving eighth inning (Nats win 3-1)

The bullpen has had a lot more positive moments the last month which has helped a great deal in the team's 18-8 June.

But the Nationals have still not found the complete answer for the eighth inning.

Right-hander Wander Suero could not complete the eighth Tuesday night without allowing a run. The Nats' 2-1 lead went by the wayside when César Puello doubled and Miguel Rojas connected on a deep fly ball to left field. Game tied 2-2.

Saturday night in the bottom of the seventh at Comerica Park, Tanner Rainey issued three straight walks which ignited a Tigers rally. The Nats' 5-3 lead evaporated and turned into a 6-5 Detroit lead. The Tigers eventually won the game 7-5.

Is Suero or Rainey the answer for the late innings or more situational, specialist type relievers?

If the Nationals are going to contend for the next three remaining months of the season, they must lock down the eighth inning. Newcomers Fernando Rodney and Jonny Venters have done a nice job, but they have combined for only three appearances since their June 25 arrival.

The eighth inning question mark has been a query Martinez has tried to answer since Trevor Rosenthal and Kyle Barraclough stumbled in the responsibility.

"It's really huge. And I've said this before, the seventh and eighth inning, moving forward, it's big for us," Martinez said. "If we can get the ball to (Sean) Doolittle we're going to be in great shape. I know we have Rodney. I know we have Venters. I want to get them into the mix."

Rodney is 42. The 34-year-old Venters has had three Tommy John surgeries.

Can one of them be the answer for the eighth inning?

Equally important: Can they stay healthy the rest of the season?

"I want them to get comfortable up here and try to use them in high leverage situations," Martinez said. "I know Rodney and Venters both have done that. That's something we are definitely going to look at. We're trying to get them in that mix."

Suero and Rainey have hit some rough patches recently after enjoying a hot streak.

Suero did have a 2.77 ERA in June but coughed up those two hits and a run June 29 in Detroit and another run last night versus Miami. Martinez believes the 27-year-old can be a difference maker.

"Wander Suero has really good stuff. Really good stuff," Martinez said. "I know I've given him the ball, trust him in situations like that. It always turns out to being like one mistake. And I say this all the time here's a guy that didn't start with us last year and built his way up and now we count on him to get big outs and he's learning. And he's actually gotten better. He really has gotten better."

Rainey made a big splash in his arrival with the Nationals, not allowing a run in eight of his first nine appearances in June. However, Rainey has been hit around in two of his last three outings, surrendering five runs while recording only two outs in two of those games.

But Martinez is remaining optimistic Rainey can make a slight mechanical tweak to get back to where he was when he was rolling to begin his tenure with the Nats in late May.

"I have a lot of confidence in him," Martinez said. "He's young. He's learning. Last couple of outings hasn't gone the way he wanted to. But I'm still going to throw him out there."

Martinez had an update on relievers Barraclough (right radial nerve irritation, June 16) and Justin Miller (right rotator cuff strain, May 18). Both are working towards their return with rehab work in West Palm Beach, Fla.

"They're pitching rehab games," Martinez announced. "They start to throw rehab games (next week) in West Palm Beach. They're building their innings back up. The last time they pitched they both pitched really well."

"I think Barraclough is a little bit more ahead of Miller," Martinez updated.

Update: Stephen Strasburg struck out five, walked one and allowed a two-out single in the third. The Marlins did not score.

Brian Dozier doubled in the second and Trea Turner doubled off the top of the center field wall in the third, but the Nats were unable to tally a run against Marlins starter Sandy Alcantara.

After three innings, the Nats and the Marlins are scoreless.

Update II: Strasburg has 10 strikeouts in a game for the fourth time this season and 44th of his career. He has 11 strikeouts now through six innings.

Mid-sixth, the Nats and the Marlins are scoreless.

Update III: Dozier crushed a two-run shot off of Alcantara in the bottom of the sixth. It was his 13th homer of the season, came on an 0-2 pitch. The Nats have set a francise record with at least one homer in 17 straight games (29 total homers during this run). Victor Robles was caught stealing 1-3-4 to end the inning.

After six innings, the Nats lead the Marlins 2-0.

Update IV: Strasburg pitches 7 1/3 shutout innings, allowing two hits with two walks and a season-high 14 strikeouts, the mostsince May 27, 2017 against the Padres. He threw 110 pitches, 80 for strikes. Fernando Rodney replaced hi, allowed a single, but then induced a 6-4-3 double play to end the frame.

Mid-eighth, the Nats 2, the Marlins 0.

Update V: Matt Adams launched his 13th homer of the season, a solo shot off of Marlins reliever Wei-Yin Chen.

After eight innings, the Nats lead the Marlins 3-0.

Update VI: In the top of the ninth with one out, closer Sean Doolittle allowed three singles in a row. He struck out JT Riddle for the second out. César Puello was hit by pitch to score a run. Pinch-hitter Yadiel Rivera struck out to end the game. Doolittle save No. 19.

Final score: the Nats 3, the Marlins 1.