The No. 1 D-backs took the field against the Nationals

A struggling bullpen team opens a three-game series when the Arizona Diamondbacks to visit the Washington Nationals on Tuesday

THE Diamondbacks He led the Atlanta Braves 5-3 entering the seventh inning in the final game of the three-game series on Sunday. But the Braves scored once in the seventh and took the lead for good on Eddie Rosario’s grand slam off right-hander Miguel Castro in the ninth.

Arizona blew 12 saves, tied for sixth most in the major leagues.

“I don’t know,” manager Torey Lovullo said when asked if Arizona needed to acquire a reliever. “That’s not my department. I’m sure if we put ourselves in a position where we’re buyers versus sellers, the front office is incredible at figuring out what those needs are.”

In Washington on Sunday a They are national they closed out a close series-deciding home game, falling 2-1 to the Philadelphia Phillies. With two out and two on in the sixth, They are national Right-hander Andres Machado faced Kyle Schwarber and the lefty hitter singled to right-center to make it 5-1.

The Braves eventually extended their lead to 11-1 before Ildemaro Vargas’ eventual home run for Washington made it 11-3.

“We try to comply as best as possible” They are national manager Dave Martinez said. “We’ve done a good job getting here (without a left-handed reliever). But we’ve got to hit the ground running. When you have guys like that up there, you’ve got to throw strikes, get ahead and finish them off.

Arizona slugger Tommy Henry (3-1, 3.73 ERA) will oppose They are national right-hander Jake Irvin (1-3, 5.67) in the series opener

Henry, 25, has allowed just two earned runs in 12 2/3 innings over his last two starts, pitching 1 1/3 scoreless innings. On Wednesday against the Colorado Rockies, he pitched seven scoreless innings, allowing two hits, two walks and seven strikeouts.

He gave up two runs in six innings in his only previous start against Washington on May 6 at home.

Irvin, 26, struggled at home during his rookie season. He is 0-2 with a 7.47 ERA in four starts They are national Park

In his last outing last Tuesday in Los Angeles, he allowed four runs on eight hits over five innings and took the loss. On the plus side, after walking four batters in each of his past two starts, he walked just one against the Dodgers.

“I was really disappointed with the way I allowed the free pass the last couple of outings,” Irvin said. “This week I tried to make sure that didn’t happen. A walk is definitely encouraging, but there is still room for improvement.”

Arizona travels to the East Coast tied with the Dodgers for first place in the National League West, 10 games over .500. As a result of the success, Lovullo extended his contract until 2024.

“This team has been playing that way since spring training,” Arizona general manager Mike Hazen said. “I think the level of preparation that we’re seeing with Torey and his coaching staff is to our advantage.”

— Field Level Media