Mitch Keller had the Nats on lockdown—five scoreless through 5 on just 62 pitches—before he was lifted and the bullpen let it slip, turning a 3–0 lead into a 6–5 loss. Doug and DiNardo break down the decision to pull Keller, the ensuing relief carousel (and why “just get outs” wasn’t the plan), and a bizarre base-running gaffe at the plate that erased the tying run. We hit the late push too: Nick Yorke’s pinch-hit AB, Joey Bart’s RBI knock for Henry Davis, and how a passed ball + non-competitive pitch compounded the damage. Offensively, there were real positives—Jared Triolo (2 hits), Spencer Horowitz (2 hits with a homer), Nick Gonzales (2-for-4), Bryan Reynolds RBI—while Andrew McCutchen’s 0-for-4 and apparent back issue are something to monitor. Plus: what this says about Don Kelly’s in-game leash, the bullpen’s volatility (Sisk/Nicolas, etc.), and the bigger roster-building conversation.

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