The Nationals got a rare smooth performance from the bullpen, as Yovanny Cruz and Orlando Ribalta handled the seventh and eighth innings before Beeter wrapped things up. Beeter has been far from a lockdown closer, however, and over 12 appearances and 9.2 innings since the beginning of July he's stumbled to a 5.59 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 8:4 K:BB while blowing two of eight save chances.

The Nationals' early lead had already slipped away in the seventh inning, but Beeter got called in for the eighth to keep the game close and instead served up a two-run homer to Bryce Harper. Beeter has been taken deep four times in his last seven appearances, stumbling to a 9.53 ERA, 1.76 WHIP and 3:3 K:BB in 5.2 innings, but he has still converted four of his five save chances during that span. Washington's busy trade deadline brought a flood of relief arms into the organization, and the most immediate threat to Beeter's closer job could come from Yovanny Cruz, who boasts a fastball that has averaged 100.0 mph and a slider with a 42.9 percent whiff rate during his brief time in the majors this season.