The Washington Nationals suffered yet another blow save on Sunday afternoon, now close to tying the MLB record for most blown saves in a season
The Washington Nationals are officially inching closer toward setting a new MLB record.
With a chance at securing the first four game win streak since June 13 - 16 in wins against the Seattle Mariners and Kansas City Royals, the Nationals saw their fate flip in the final inning once again.
Six runs in the ninth inning handed the Nationals a 6-2 loss against the Miami Marlins on Sunday afternoon, dropping the Nationals to 65-74 overall in 2026 to mark the 35th blown save of the regular season. With just 23 regular season games left, the Nationals sit just two away from tying the MLB record for most blown saves in a regular season, shedding light on the undoubted offseason focus looming for president of baseball operations Paul Toboni and the rest of the front office.
The loss did come with a notable move as CJ Abrams made his first career MLB start at second base. Yet it was far from an ideal performance as he also finished 0-for-4 with three strikeouts in the loss with Abrams still searching for his first hit in the series. Jorbit Vivas went 2-for-2 in the loss to account for one third of the team's hits, while Andrew Alvarez tossed six strikeouts in six innings in another quality start. Daylen Lile kept his hot streak going with his sac fly in the eighth inning adding another insurance run, but in the end, the bullpen struggles were too much to overcome.
After Max Kranick took the mound to open the ninth, a bunt then walk put two runners on with no outs in an already concerning showing. After both stole second and third base, another walk would load the bases before Blake Butera turned to Tom Cosgrove to get out of the jam.
Yet two pitches later, Cosgrove drilled his first batter to bring in the Marlins' first run before a sac fly tied the game, but a poor throw by centerfielder Andrew Pinckney sailed into the Nationals' dugout, driving in the game-winning run. After a double steal brought in the fourth run, the boos rained in after Cosgrove gave up a two run, 400 foot home run to cement the latest meltdown at Nationals Park.
While there was never much of a debate, the latest loss only heightens the need for the Nationals to address the woeful pitching staff following a season that Blake Butera saw his offense blossom into one of the league's best. Until then, the Nationals will look to avoid history.
