Washington Nationals: Three Takeaways From Wild Win Over Tigers

Check out our three takeaways from the Washington Nationals’ 5-4 win over the Detroit Tigers from last night

After being swept by the Chicago Cubs during their four game series at Wrigley Field, the Washington Nationals (20-12) were back in action last night against the Detroit Tigers (14-17). Both teams were looking to snap out of their own respective losing streak and it was the Nats who rallied from a 4-1 deficit to win the game, 5-4.

Stephen Strasburg took the mound for the Washington Nationals. As he was pitching, it was being reported that he had signed a seven-year, $175 million extension to stay in DC. He gave up two two-run home runs, but he went seven innings, gave up four runs on six hits, struck out 11, and walked three on 107 pitches (65 strikes)

Before the Strasburg news, the biggest headline heading into the game was the decision Dusty Baker made to keep Ryan Zimmerman in the cleanup spot of the batting order after stranding 14 men on base Sunday. Of course, Zimmerman found his way in another bases loaded situation during the game, but was unable to get the hit.

In the end, the Washington Nationals got clutch hits from Daniel Murphy, who drove in all three runs and Clint Robinson, who came in to pinch-hit for Shawn Kelley (who got the win) and hit a walk-off home run in the bottom of the ninth, even though he said he forgot what inning it was:

But, one of the storylines after the game ended up being Bryce Harper getting ejected and yelling what he called “choice words” to the home plate umpire, Brian Knight.

Before Joe Ross takes on Michael Fulmer in the second game of the series tonight (7:05 p.m. ET, MASN/MLB Network), here are my three takeaways from last night’s game:

Next: Time For Murphy To Hit Cleanup