Hader's struggles continue in latest meltdown vs. Nationals
Josh Hader is seemingly broken.
The San Diego Padres closer had another terrible outing Friday, failing to record an out against the lowly Washington Nationals during a 6-3 loss.
Hader entered the ninth inning with the game tied at three. He began his appearance by walking Victor Robles, then made a costly throwing error after fielding a ball in front of the mound.
It’s too late for us to even decipher what happened here but it gave us the lead so we'll take it. pic.twitter.com/50yapPs5nU
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) August 20, 2022
The error allowed Robles to score from first base and Lane Thomas to scamper to third.
Hader allowed a two-run homer to rookie Alex Call in the next at-bat before he was removed from the contest by Padres manager Bob Melvin amid boos from the San Diego faithful.
ALEX CALL WITH A CALL TO THE SEATS WITH HIS FIRST CAREER HOME RUN pic.twitter.com/lzXttUCkkH
— Talkin Nats (@TalkinNats) August 20, 2022
It was the second consecutive game Hader struggled against the last-place Nationals.
The 28-year-old entered Thursday's game in the ninth inning with it tied 1-1 and runners on first and second. He went on to plunk Luke Voit with a pitch, issue a bases-loaded walk to Nelson Cruz, and allow a sacrifice fly in an eventual 3-1 loss.
"New team, got off to a little bit of a slow start," Melvin told The Associated Press' Bernie Wilson. "Gave him a clean inning today, two days in a row, trying to get him some work and get him through it. It certainly didn't happen for him today, but we'll see where it goes."
Hader has been dreadful since the Padres acquired him from the Milwaukee Brewers for four players at the trade deadline. The All-Star reliever allowed six earned runs and five walks in five outings without recording a save, producing a 16.20 ERA.