Irvin Struggles, Kent Steps In | Washington Nationals News

The Nationals took a hard-luck 8-6 loss to the Cubs, as starter Jake Irvin struggled again, exiting after just over three innings and 88 pitches. The bullpen was forced into action early, with four relievers stepping in to cover. Irvin’s high pitch counts have become a recurring issue this season, hampering his efficiency and leading to runs. In hopes of turning things around, the team called up 23-year-old lefty Jackson Kent from Triple-A for his MLB debut. Meanwhile, veteran Miles Mikolas may be headed out of the rotation after a brief relief stint. Manager Blake Butera credited the Cubs’ disciplined hitting and Irvin’s inconsistent breaking balls — which made hitters focus on his fastball — for the tough night. With Kent set to take the mound Wednesday, the Nationals are counting on him to stabilize the rotation and avoid another bullpen-heavy game. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/b77dd24a0c411c80