'Pen shows major improvement vs. Padres

Enny Romero paints the outside corner and gets Franchy Cordero to strike out looking to end the top of the 9th inningWASHINGTON -- The Nationals have fretted about their bullpen at times this season. The group entered Sunday with the worst ERA in the Major Leagues, and despite receiving support from strong starting pitching and perhaps the league's best offense, the relievers have surrendered multiple leads.

But in the Nationals' 5-3 loss to the Padres on Sunday, the bullpen put together a strong performance, throwing five scoreless innings. Washington couldn't take advantage of the rare occasion, though. Starter Joe Ross allowed five runs in four innings and the Nationals went 1-for-11 with…