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Washington Nationals: Clint Robinson Walks-Off Detroit in 9th

By Matt Weyrich

May 9, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals first baseman Clint Robinson (25) is doused with Gatorade after hitting a walk off homer against the Detroit Tigers during the ninth inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
May 9, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals first baseman Clint Robinson (25) is doused with Gatorade after hitting a walk off homer against the Detroit Tigers during the ninth inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /
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Tonight, the Washington Nationals snapped their four game losing streak on a walk-off home run by pinch-hitter Clint Robinson

The Washington Nationals beat the Detroit Tigers 5-4 Monday night on a walk-off homer off the bat of Clint Robinson in the bottom of the ninth. Stephen Strasburg allowed four runs across seven innings of work just hours after signing a reported seven-year extension with the team that drafted him.

Detroit kicked off the game with a bang. Nick Castellanos hit a home run in the top of the first inning with Ian Kinsler on second to give the Tigers an early 2-0 lead. Detroit had been struggling as of late, entering the game losers of six straight.

Anibal Sanchez took the mound for the visitors, and was able to settle in early. He retired eight of the first nine hitters, but the Nats were able to scrape a run across in the fourth. Daniel Murphy drove in Anthony Rendon with a two out single to center field, narrowing the deficit to one.

The Tigers would respond quickly in the next frame. After Kinsler led off the top of the fifth with a single, J.D. Martinez hit his fourth home run of the year to make it 4-1 Detroit. Strasburg was unfazed, however. He was able to set down the Tigers’ offense for another two innings. Strasburg finished his day having completed seven innings, allowing four earned on six hits, walking three batters, and striking out 11.

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Murphy would strike again for the Nats’ offense, homering off Sanchez in the bottom of the sixth with Ryan Zimmerman on first. The Nats would follow it up the following inning to tie the game. Back-to-back singles by Michael Taylor and Danny Espinosa put runners on first and second with no outs. Strasburg was able to bunt them both over a base, and Ben Revere hit a sacrifice fly to score Taylor and tie the game.

Both bullpens were able to send the game into the ninth without allowing the opponent to score. Blake Treinen had another shaky performance, but Felipe Rivero saved the day by striking out Jarrod Saltalamacchia with the bases loaded to end the eighth.

Rivero retired the first two hitters he faced in the top of the ninth, and Dusty Baker turned to Shawn Kelley to end the frame and give Washington one more chance to end the game before it went into extras. The Nats would take full advantage of that chance, as Clint Robinson hit a pinch-hit walk-off home run to snap the Washington Nationals’ four game losing streak.

Next: Strasburg Signs Extension

Game Notes: Bryce Harper was ejected from the dugout moments before Robinson’s game ending homer…. With the win, Washington is now tied with the New York Mets for first place in the NL East (Mets in action against the Dodgers)… Strasburg reportedly signed a seven-year/$175 million contract with the Nats before the game; fans gave him a standing ovation after he left the mound in the seventh.

Next Up: The series continues Tuesday night as Michael Fulmer (1-1, 6.30 ERA) takes on Joe Ross (3-1, 1.23) at 7:05 p.m. ET on MASN.

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