It's official folks; the Arizona Diamondbacks bullpen has lost it. Closer J.J. Putz blew his second save of the season Wednesday allowing a two run walk-off homer from Ian Desmond and giving the Nationals the 5-4 victory. Joe Saunders was in line for his third win of the season thanks to another quality line (6.1 IP, 2 ER, 6 K) and Ryan Roberts also did his part, contributing two RBIs as he slowly comes out of his season-long slump.
The Diamondbacks seemed to be cruising after Craig Breslow got out of a huge jam with two runners on and no outs in the bottom of the eighth. But it would all begin falling apart when Bryce Harper stroked his second double of the game to lead off the last frame.
Yet it seemed like Putz settled down after the phenom's big hit as he struck out both Wilson Ramos and Rick Ankiel. The following batter he would see would be his last though with Desmond's fly ball carrying just far enough to end the game.
Edwin Jackson didn't have the best game against his old team allowing four runs in six innings but it was balanced out with Harper having the best game of his young career (3-4, two runs, one RBI). Upton also hit his third home run of the season while Paul Goldschmidt continued his white-hot ways with two hits of his own.
With the loss, the Diamondbacks have now failed to earn the W in eight consecutive games decided by one run or less. Ian Kennedy (3-0) will take the ball tomorrow for Arizona to face off against Ross Detwiler (2-1) in the series final at 4:05 PM.