Washington Nationals Rapid Reaction: Nats Still Have Concerns Despite Walk-Off Win

Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports

Bullpen Was Great Except For Storen

Roark got into serious trouble in the fifth inning. He got one out, but then loaded the bases in the process by walking two hitters, although one was intentional, sandwiched around a double. He intentionally walking Freddie Freeman with two on, which was probably a wise decision considering the way Freeman has dominated the Nats in his career

Matt Williams turned to Matt Thornton and asked him to put out the fire. Thornton brought a fire hose with him to the mound and managed to get out of the inning without allowing a run to score by getting two straight groundouts from A.J. Pierzynski and Adonis Garcia.

Felipe Rivero would pitch the sixth and seventh inning and retire all six batters that he faced. This game was tied 1-1 in the top of the eighth inning when Drew Storen came in to pitch. He allowed a run to tie the game. That run was set up by a double by Freeman, the first batter Storen faced. It was a good spot for another intentional walk of Freeman, but Williams decided to have Storen pitch to him. By the end of the eighth inning, the score was 2-1 in favor of the Braves and things were looking grim for the home team.

Jonathan Papelbon pitched both the ninth and tenth innings and ended up with the win. Papelbon was pitching in the ninth in a situation where the Nats were behind. He isn’t used to pitching in that situation and he put two runners on before he got out of the ninth unscathed. In the tenth inning, Papelbon was all business after having watched his team tie the game in the bottom of the ninth and pitched a perfect frame.

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