Aug 13, 2015; San Francisco, CA, USA; Washington Nationals center fielder Michael Taylor (3) hits a single against the San Francisco Giants during the ninth inning at AT&T Park. The San Francisco Giants defeated the Washington Nationals 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
The Washington Nationals went from playing in a blowout of the Braves on Thursday night where they scored 15 runs to playing a tight, extra-inning game against the Braves on Friday night. The Nats tied the game in the bottom of the ninth thanks to Matt den Dekker and won the game in the bottom of the tenth on a three run home run by Michael Taylor. Both den Dekker and Taylor were pinch hitting when they came through with clutch hits.
Taylor got the bucket of filth bath at home plate and a gatorade dump after the home run. What he didn’t get was chocolate syrup. The Nationals haven’t had many occasions lately to use the Hershey’s Syrup. It seemed the perfect opportunity to break out the sauce, but it didn’t happen. No word on whether the Nats are done with that particular celebration, or whether no one was expecting to use it again this season since there was none handy. I am sure some intrepid reporter or blogger will get to the bottom of the Hershey’s Syrup mystery shortly.
Tanner Roark made his first start since June 28th. Roark had been sent to the minors to start some games in preparation for taking over for Joe Ross when he eventually hits his innings limit. Roark had to complete the starting rotation sooner than anticipated with Stephen Strasburg’s start being pushed back due to back tightness he suffered on Sunday.
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Both Roark and Braves starter Julio Teheran danced in and out of trouble all night and both of them only gave up one run. Roark didn’t get through the fifth inning. That was not an unexpected development, as Roark hasn’t been stretched out in a starting role in a long time and did not get as many starts in the minors as the organization was anticipating before they put him back into the rotation.
Check out my takeaways from last night’s 5-2 Nats Win over the Braves:
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