It's not a new problem for the Nationals. But it is pretty evident, by this point, that their bullpen is the only thing that is keeping them from being in the middle of the NL East.
The unit blew yet another lead on Friday night, surrendering a 4-3 margin in the seventh inning and giving up four runs in the 12th inning after Washington rallied for two runs in the ninth. Kip Wells took the loss, running the bullpen's record to 1-11 this year. The group walked eight batters in 5 1/3 innings, negating another impressive effort from the Nationals' offense, which has quietly turned into one of the best in the NL.
Entering Friday, the team led or was tied for the NL lead in homers, slugging percentage, on-base-plus-slugging percentage and runs in May. The Nationals' record this month is 6-6.
"We basically walked ourselves to death," manager Manny Acta said. "We had eight walks in five and a third (innings) out of our bullpen. When you play with fire, you're going to burn yourself."
PHILLIES 10, NATIONALS 6 (12 innings): The Nationals got to Phillies closer Brad Lidge for two runs in the ninth to send the game to extra innings, but their bullpen had yet another hiccup -- this time, Kip Wells walked the bases loaded and gave up four runs in the 12th. Ryan Zimmerman, in his first game after his 30-game hitting streak ended, had three hits.
