Gus Varland needed 22 pitches to get four outs Thursday and earn his third save of the season, allowing just one hit while striking out one.

Varland is now in sole possession of the Nationals team lead in saves with three. Clayton Beeter (forearm) is sidelined, which presents a runway for Varland to potentially seize the ninth-inning job. He’s given up some hard contact this year but is also missing just enough bats to be effective regardless. He easily throws the most strikes in the Nationals’ bullpen.