Tyler Clippard shut out the Astros in the 12th inning Tuesday, earning his 23rd save of the year in the process.
It wasn’t the smoothest outing. After entering a 3-2 game, Clippard allowed an infield single, got two outs, and then walked a batter. With two on and two out, he wriggled free from the jam. For Clippard, this was a performance he desperately needed. Entering this evening, he had given up a run in three of his last five appearances, walking four and allowing four hits in the process. With Drew Storen nipping at his heels, Clippard re-affirmed his position — at least for another day — as Washington’s closer in the short-term.