Nationals sticking with Tyler Clippard at closer -- for now

Nationals manager Davey Johnson said Tyler Clippard is still his closer, but will use Drew Storen in some save situations.

Nationals manager Davey Johnson is sticking by Tyler Clippard as his closer. (Associated Press)

Davey Johnson is sticking with closer Tyler Clippard, who has blown three saves in 12 attempts since the All-Star break.

"Right now, I'm comfortable with Clip or [Drew] Storen closing, Johnson told the Washington Post. "But Clip has had the hotter hand doing the brunt of the work. I'm not going to take anything away from him, because he's been so good. I probably won't have him go back-to-back with Storen around, but I might depending on what part of the lineup it is."

Since the former closer Storen first outing of the 2012 season on July 19, Clippard has a 4.09 ERA in 11 games, including two blown saves and eight saves. He had allowed runs in each of his last two appearances before recording his 23rd save of the season on Tuesday (with a little help from Roger Bernadina).

Storen has appeared in 11 games and is 1-0 with a 2.57 ERA and a save in seven innings of work. Last season Storen recorded 43 saves for the Nationals.

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