PHILADELPHIA -- It has been a difficult task for Nationals manager Dusty Baker to navigate through the final innings of games during the past week.
Both of Washington's co-closers -- Shawn Kelley (back) and Koda Glover (hip) -- are on the disabled list. Two of the pitchers they were counting on to be their most reliable relievers -- Joe Blanton and Blake Treinen -- are sporting a 10.64 ERA and 9.22 ERA, respectively.
So Baker did not have an answer for who he would turn to protect a lead late in games this weekend in Philadelphia, something that came back to bite the Nats as they blew a lead late in Sunday's 6-5 loss in 10 innings to the Phillies.