WASHINGTON -- To understand how the star-studded Nationals fell from first place in the National League East to .500 in the span of about three weeks, one would only need to watch the fifth inning of Washington's 11-4 loss to the Red Sox on Tuesday night at Nationals Park.
Tanner Roark allowed six runs in the top of the frame. Then, the Nationals loaded the bases with two outs in the bottom of the inning, but Michael A. Taylor struck out.
Starting pitching depth and the inability to capitalize with runners on base have been the main factors for the Nationals losing 16 of their past 21 games and sitting at .