Alfredo Simon yielded three runs over 4 1/3 innings in Friday's loss to the Nationals. It was his shortest outing since May 27. Simon allowed nine hits and two walks, so he was at 89 pitches before being pulled with one out in the fifth. Things could have been worse, but J.J. Hoover bailed him out of a jam. Simon has now lost back-to-back starts for the first time this season. He'll attempt to get back on the winning side next week against the Diamondbacks.