What a Game!! The Washington Nationals found themselves down 3-1 to the Milwaukee Brewers going into the bottom of the eighth inning with just six potential outs remaining. But a late rally against one of the best closer’s in the game, saved their 2019 season and propelled them into NLDS against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The Brew Crew scored two quick runs in the top of the 1st on a 2-run home run off the bat of Yasmani Grandal to get the early lead. In the second, Eric Thames launched one over the right center field fence adding to the Brewers lead at 3-0. The Nats got within a run in the bottom of the 3rd, when Trey Turner hit a blast to left field, waking up a stunned Washington crowd. But for the next four innings, the Nationals offense was shutdown by Milwaukee’s bullpen, setting it up for closer Josh Hader.
In the bottom of the eighth, Hader hit Michael Taylor in the hand, even though in replays the ball looked to hit the bottom of the bat first, but the call was not overturned and Taylor found himself on first base with one out. Turner then became the second out with a strike out. Ryan Zimmerman kept the Nats going with a broken bat blooper moving Taylor to third. After Anthony Rendon was walked to load the bases, 20-year old Juan Soto lined a base hit to right field that skipped past Trent Grisham, sending all the runners home, putting the Nats up 4-3 in an improbable comeback and sending the Nats faithful into pandemonium.
On a night that seemed to belong to the Brewers, even without their top offensive bat in Christian Yelich (out since September 10th when he fouled a ball off his leg, breaking his kneecap), just wasn’t meant to be. The Nationals answered the call when it counted the most and advanced to the second round looking like a team on a mission to finally get over the hump and have the opportunity to win their first World Series Title.
The road will not get easy for Washington, as they find themselves heading to LA to take on the mighty Dodgers who finished the season winning 106 games, most in the National League.
One thing is for sure, the 2019 Postseason is gearing up to be one of the best of all time. Get ready for an amazing ride, baseball fans!!!
