With bullpen tired, Barraclough is back (Nats fall 4-2)

The Nationals have recalled right-hander Kyle Barraclough from the injured list and have sent outfielder Andrew Stevenson back to Triple-A Fresno. Barraclough had been rehabbing at Double-A Harrisburg.

"He's had some good outings and at this point, with three games in two days, we feel like we need another bullpen arm so we chose Barraclough," said Nationals manager Davey Martinez.

The 29-year-old Barraclough pitched in five games for the Senators, accumulating four scoreless appearances. He had a 2.70 ERA, allowing two earned runs over 6 2/3 innings. Opponents hit .167 (4-for-24) with no homers.

"He's worked a bit on his mechanics and his slider," Martinez said. "Apparently, his slider has been a lot better. So, anxious to see him and see what he can do and, hopefully, he comes up and helps us."

The Nats got into a jam Thursday when the Rockies rallied in the ninth inning against Fernando Rodney on the way to an 8-7 win. Sean Doolittle was not available after pitching in both ends of the doubleheader here Wednesday.

Barraclough could be necessary tonight because Martinez does not want to have to use Wander Suero, who has appeared in three consecutive games. Barraclough has not pitched since July 23.

"We will see where he's at today," Martinez said of Suero. "The guys went out and threw. I'll talk to him. Hopefully, we can stay away from him today. He's been pitching a lot and he's been up and down quite a bit. But we'll see.

"These guys, it's funny, they go through stretches where you think they need a day and they'll come back and say, 'Hey, I'm good. My arm feels pretty good,'" Martinez said. "And then there's days where you think they don't need a day, and they need a day. It's just based on our conversations with them. One thing they understand is they need to be honest. If he needs a day, he needs a day. We'll have to use somebody else."

Barraclough struggled to a 1-2 record with a 6.39 ERA in 32 games for the Nats this season. His last appearance for the Nats was June 15 against the Diamondbacks. He allowed three runs on three hits and recorded only one out. In that game, Barraclough surrendered a two-run shot to Kevin Cron, two singles and a walk and uncorked a wild pitch.

Barraclough then went on the injured list with a right radial nerve irritation. He made three rehab appearances with the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League Nationals and high Single-A Potomac Nationals before meeting up with Harrisburg.

The 25-year-old Stevenson was 4-for-14 (.286) with three walks and three runs scored in in his 12 games this season for the Nationals. He made appearances in three games this week versus the Rockies, going 1-for-2 with a walk.

Update: The Dodgers loaded the bases with one out in the first inning. But Aníbal Sánchez wiggled out of the jam, allowing only one run. Joc Pederson, Alex Verdugo and Cody Bellinger singled and Max Muncy was walked. Bellinger's singled plated Pederson with the first run of the game.

Sánchez was able to get Verdugo out at home plate on a dribbler in front of home plate. Corey Seager grounded out to Howie Kendrick at first base to end the major threat.

Sánchez settled down in the second and third innings, setting down the Dodgers in order. He threw only four pitches in the third inning.

In the second inning, Kurt Suzuki and Brian Dozier enjoyed back-to-back singles against Dodgers left-handed starter Hyun-Jin Ryu. That doubled the number of hits the Nats got off of Ryu in Los Angeles over eight innings May 12. Ryu has four strikeouts over three frames.

After three innings, the Dodgers lead the Nats 1-0.

Update II: Sánchez really turned it on after the first inning, retiring 17 batters in a row to get through the sixth inning. In the bottom of the fourth, Anthony Rendon led off with a double and Juan Soto was walked. But Kendrick bunted into a pop up. Suzuki and Dozier recorded outs to end the inning.

In the sixth, Soto and Kendrick singled with two away. But Suzuki grounded out to the shortstop to end the rally attempt.

After six innings, the Dodgers lead the Nats 1-0.

Update III: Sánchez finished seven innings, allowing only one run on three hits with one walk and six strikeouts. He threw 89 pitches, 58 for strikes. He retired the final 20 batters he faced.

In the bottom of the seventh, Dozier singled and Victor Robles laid down a perfect bunt single to put two men on with no one out. Pinch-hitter Gerardo Parra reached on a fielding error by Justin Turner. Dozier was out at home when Trea Turner hit one to third base for a fielder's choice. Adam Eaton's single over shortstop scored Robles to tie the game at 1-1. But Parra was out at the plate on a throw from Alex Verdugo to Russell Martin. Rendon popped out to first base to end the rally.

After seven innings, the Nats and Dodgers are tied at 1-1.

Update IV: In the eighth, Tony Sipp allowed a two-out walk to Pederson and a single to Verdugo. Facing Barraclough, Justin Turner cranked a three-run shot over the left-center field wall to change the game. Turner's 15th homer came on a high 3-1 fastball from Barraclough.

After eight innings, the Dodgers lead the Nats 4-1.

Update V: Kenley Jansen recorded the first two outs in the bottom of the ninth before Turner singled to right field. It was Turner's first hit of the game. He went to second on defensive indifference and took third on a balk by Jansen. Eaton was hit by a pitch. Rendon was walked to load the bases. Jansen then walked Soto on a 3-2 pitch to score Turner. The Dodgers lead was cut to 4-2.

Howie Kendrick struck out on 2-2 fastball to end the game.

Final score: The Dodgers 4, the Nats 2.