When you’re facing the worst bullpen in baseball, you always have a chance.

The Cleveland Guardians scored eight times in the sixth inning to beat the Washington Nationals 8-6 on Wednesday.

Cleveland had a tough time with Michael Siroka in the first five innings, who surrendered only two hits.

But complete games are rare these days, as Siroka couldn’t last as long as Walter “Big Train” Johnson or Grover Cleveland Alexander.

He eventually had to turn the ball over to a bullpen with a 7.22 ERA.

HOW IT STARTED

The Nationals built a 3-0 lead in the first three innings against Logan Allen. Jacob Young hit an RBI double in the second.

Washington extended its lead with a run-scoring single by Alex Call and a sacrifice fly by Luis Garcia.

HOW IT’S GOING

Carlos Santana tied the game with a bases-clearing double. Steven Kwan, Daniel Schneeman, and Jose Ramirez raced home.

Angel Martinez put the Guardians on top with a single to score Santana and Gabriel Arias, who had four hits in the game.

Brayan Rocchio grounded out to score Martinez. Rocchio is in a slump, with his average dropping to .174.

Ramirez finished the rally with a two-run single, as Kwan and Schneemann scored twice in the same inning.

BULLPEN BACKUP

The Nationals didn’t give up, scoring three times in the bottom of the seventh.

C.J. Abrams hit a two-run single, and Amed Rosario added an RBI single. Rosario played for Cleveland from 2021 to 2023.

Kolby Allard pitched a scoreless eighth inning for Cleveland. Emmanuel Clase did the same in the ninth for his eighth save.

The Guardians have a much-needed day off today after playing 22 games in 23 days.

They will open a three-game home series with the Philadelphia Phillies on Friday at 7:10 p.m. Gavin Williams (2-2) will start for Cleveland against the Phillies’ Aaron Nola (1-5).