Nationals bullpen makes unwanted history with latest meltdown

Washington Nationals pitcher Jared Simpson. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Nationals bullpen makes unwanted history with latest meltdown

By Vanessa Serrao | Last updated Sep 9, 2026 2:36 PM ET

The Washington Nationals bullpen continues to be a problem for the club, and the struggles have now reached historic proportions.

The Nationals saw another late lead slip away on Tuesday against the San Diego Padres, watching a 4-1 lead in the eighth inning turn into a 5-4 defeat. With the latest meltdown, the Nationals set a single-season record for blown saves with 38. The claimed the dubious distinction from the Chicago White Sox, which blew 37 saves in 2024.

The eighth inning collapse started with reliever Jared Simpson, who walked the bases loaded. Erik Tolman then allowed three inherited runners to score (charged with one earned run). The loss also had them slip into last place in the NL East.

In addition to the unwanted piece of history, the Nationals rank 29th in baseball with a 5.09 bullpen ERA.

The Nationals have blown 38 saves this season, setting the MLB single-season record.pic.twitter.com/KWcNTz84Bn
— Underdog MLB (@UnderdogMLB) September 9, 2026

Why the Nationals' bullpen has been a recipe for disaster this season

The Nationals have given up 537 walks this season with a league-leading 287 of those accounted for by the bullpen alone. In addition, the long ball has been a major issue with 100 home runs surrendered by the pen, also the most in the league. It is the first time since 2021 that a bullpen has given up 100 home runs in a season.

The team lacks veteran relievers and has had to rely on a young core that is inexperienced when it comes to high-leverage situations. It has not worked in their favor.

The 'pen has also recorded a low-strikeout of 20.5%, contributing to an inability to provide shutdown innings.

The result is a historically bad bullpen that will shoulder much of the blame for a lost season in Washington.

Vanessa Serrao

Serrao is a freelance baseball writer who has covered all MLB teams, with particular expertise on the Toronto Blue Jays. She is a member of the Internet Baseball Writers Association of America.

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