Nats manager Jim Riggleman has repeatedly said he needed to limit his use of reliever Tyler Clippard. A heavy workload seemed to affect Clippard in recent days. In his previous 7 2/3 innings before Wednesday’s appearance, Clippard allowed 10 hits, seven walks and six runs with four blown saves and three losses. Riggleman now admits he still needs to manage Clippard’s innings — but only to a point. Once on pace for 127 innings, that number has dropped to 112. Only six relievers since 2000 have topped 100. The Nats want Clippard between 90 and 100.
“Maybe some of the ineffectiveness lately — if we can call it that — is the guy hasn’t had enough work,” Riggleman said. “I feel like I overworked him early. But he held up good with it and maybe we need to get him in there more.”
