This young Washington Nationals‘ team is looking to show the fans and observers that they will be a force to deal with in the years to come in the Majors and last night’s come-from-behind win against the San Deigo Padres shows what the future could hold for the Nationals. On the heels of a three-run ninth inning, the Nationals could at least get a series split against the San Deigo Padres.
An interesting top-of-the-ninth inning led to a 6-3 victory on Friday night at Petco Park, giving the Nats two straight wins to open the four-game series.
“I’m really excited about how our guys are just not quitting,” said manager Dave Martinez after the Nationals’ victory. “They’re playing hard. I’ve always told them, ‘We’re going to play 27 outs every day — and they’re doing that.”
27-year-old rookie Alex Call, designated for the assignment by the Guardians on Aug. 5 before he was picked up on waivers by the Nationals, overcame an 0-2 count to hit a 97.1 mph sinker into the left-center-field seats for two insurance runs. “I’ve definitely visualized it hundreds of times,” Call said after last night’s game. “It felt so good just rounding the bases. I mean, the ninth inning off Josh Hader — definitely something that you’ll remember for the rest of your life. I enjoyed every step around the bases, that’s for sure.
Closer Kyle Finnegan pitched a scoreless bottom of the ninth to secure the win for the Washington Nationals, leaving a packed Padres home crowd wondering what happened.
“These last two games have been intense, but it’s been fun,” Martinez said. “I think the guys are really enjoying it, which says a lot, especially for our young guys, that the atmosphere doesn’t bother them, that they’re going to go out there and play.”
The Nationals’ will send RHP Josiah Gray (7-8, 4.79) to the mound tonight to face RHP Joe Musgrove (8-6, 2.98). Gray ranks 10th in the NL with a 3.21 road ERA, and as a whole, his 137 strikeouts this season rank 9th in the NL. Gray is also coming off his 3rd 10+ strikeout game of the season, 8/15 vs. CHC
