Nationals Reaction: Biggest Takeaways from 18-Inning Game
By Matt Weyrich
The Washington Nationals fell to the Pittsburgh Pirates 2-1 in an eighteen inning, marathon affair that saw both teams combine to use seventeen different pitchers. sWhat stood out most about the game?
After easily handling Pittsburgh in the first two games of their first series out of the All-Star Break, the Washington Nationals entered play Sunday afternoon looking to sweep their fellow National League opponent. Max Scherzer (10-6, 2.94 ERA) took the mound for the Nats (56-37), looking to follow up on his impressive scoreless appearance in the Midsummer Classic.
Scherzer was able to keep the Pirates’ (47-45) bats quiet, throwing seven strong innings in which he allowed one run on six hits with a walk and seven strikeouts. Pittsburgh starter Chad Kuhl (1-0, 4.19) took care of business as well, posting six scoreless frames before manager Clint Hurdle pulled him at 86 pitches.
Entering the ninth inning, the Nationals had managed only two hits in the ballgame. With Anthony Rendon scratched late due to flu-like symptoms and Daniel Murphy resting a sore hamstring, the Nats were putting its bench to the test. One out away from losing the contest, however, manager Dusty Baker opted to send Murphy out as a pinch-hitter.
With the count at 2-2, Murphy was able to do the impossible, hitting a solo home run to deep right field that tied the game up at one run apiece. Despite his heroics, the game would not end there. Neither team was able to break the tie for eight straight innings until Starling Marte homered off Oliver Perez in the top of the 18th.
What were the biggest takeaways from Sunday afternoon’s wild game? Whose performance stood out the most? Read on to find out.
Next: Proving He's an Ace