Nats send Grace to minors

The Washington Nationals optioned reliever Matt Grace to Triple-A Syracuse on Monday.

Grace heads down after a disastrous stint on the mound in Sunday's 8-2 loss to the Reds in Cincinnati, where he was charged with four hits, three runs and two walks while failing to retire a batter.

For the season, the 26-year-old left-hander is 2-1 with a 5.25 earned run average in 17 appearances. He had been 0-1 and pitched to a 3.52 ERA in five games for the Chiefs.

Washington recalled pitcher Felipe Rivero from Syracuse. A 23-year-old Venezuelan lefty, he did not record a decision in his lone game with the Nats this year.

[SportsNetwork.com]