Moments That Mattered: Game 19
By Andrew Flax
Source:
Most Important Nationals Hit: Anthony Rendon‘s game-tying double (+14.7%)
Rendon’s first major league hit was a important one. Trailing 2-1 in the fourth with two outs, Rendon doubled to right center and scored Ian Desmond. Desmond himself had just doubled to drive in Jayson Werth. Rendon struggled in his first game, going 0-4 and committing an error, but did better in yesterday’s game. He was 1-4 with that RBI double, although he did also strike out twice.
Most Important Nationals Pitch: Allen Craig‘s two-run double (-22.2%)
After Pete Kozma (DC’s least favorite player) singled and Matt Carpenterwalked, Craig cleared the bases with two outs to put the Cardinals up 2-0. The first runs in a game are always key in the eyes of Win Probability Added, and scoring two runs greatly increases the influence of that already influential hit. As proof of this, the next tiebreaking hit, putting the Cards up 3-2, was only -13.2%.
Apr 22, 2013; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals third baseman Anthony Rendon (6) plays the field during the game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Champ of the Game: Craig Stammen? Yes, Stammen (+23.6%) was pivotal when he entered, inheriting three runners after Dan Haren could not record an out in the top of the sixth. He immediately induced a double play ball, wisely intentionally walked the inexplicably dangerous Kozma, and struck out Cardinals starter Shelby Miller to end the threat. For St. Louis, Craig (-20.9%) did most of his damage with the game-breaking double. A Nats honorable mention goes to Drew Storen, who must have done wonders for his confidence by striking out Kozma in a scoreless ninth, which he failed to do in Game 5.
Chump of the Game: Ignominiously, Dan Haren (-41.8%) claims this title again with a better performance by his standards, but still a bad one. He allowed three runs in 5+ innings, allowing a run and loading the bases in the sixth without recording an out. He also had as many walks as strikeouts (three) and allowed six hits. Jon Jay (+20.4%) suffered mainly for grounding into a double play with the bases loaded and no outs, but was also 0-4 overall.