ATLANTA _ At least the past two days have helped the Braves in evaluating their postseason rotation plans.
Sean Newcomb lasted three innings, exiting in a five-run hole his offense was unable to combat, and the Braves lost 6-4 to the Nationals on Sunday.
After winning six of seven on their western trip, the Braves returned home and dropped a series to the Nationals. They're 38-36 at SunTrust Park as opposed to their National League-best 45-30 road mark.
They didn't go down without a fight. Tyler Flowers' two-run homer broke the Braves through in the fourth, 5-2. Charlie Culberson's eight-inning shot made it a one-run game, 5-4. It was Culberson's sixth homer against the Nationals this season _ that's half his overall total.
Washington tacked on an insurance run in the ninth, and the Braves went quietly in their half to cease the comeback.
Less than 24 hours after Walk Fest 2018, Newcomb put the Braves in another bullpen bind. He required 73 pitches over three frames, allowing two home runs. The offense was tasted an uphill climb against notable Braves killer Tanner Roark, who entered the day with a 3.08 ERA in 22 appearances against the home team.
Newcomb threw 31 pitches against eight hitters in the first inning. Bryce Harper's two-run blast was the biggest hit, with Matt Wieters adding an RBI-single to make it 3-0 before the Braves came up.
Harper walked to begin the third. Anthony Rendon guided a high flyball into the Chop House. Newcomb finished the inning, but was pinch-hit for Rio Ruiz in the bottom of the frame.
The left-hander hasn't been the same since his 134-pitch effort against the Dodgers on July 29. He's allowed five or more runs in four of his past seven outings. The borderline All-Star of the first half has disappeared.
It's Newcomb's first full season, and he made significant strides along the way. He's a power lefty who, for much of the year, was realizing his advertised potential. The season's grind appears to have slowed him down.
The Braves wouldn't require a fourth starter in the NLDS. They could use Mike Foltynewicz, Kevin Gausman and Anibal Sanchez _ their three most reliable arms at the moment _ across the best of five series. Newcomb and Julio Teheran have another couple starts to end the regular season, with each competing for the fourth slot, however the Braves want to use it.
The Phillies lost to the Marlins, protecting the Braves' 6.5-game lead in the NL East and cutting their magic number to eight.
