2014 – Nats Clinch NL East
Tomorrow will be the two-year anniversary of the Washington Nationals clinching their second NL East title in franchise history. On that night, they got the chance to celebrate the division title at Turner Field when they defeated the Braves 3-0.
Tanner Roark, who picked up his 15th win of the season yesterday, threw seven shutout innings, gave up five hits, and struck out four in a win. The Braves did not have one extra-base hit in the entire game and this was a lineup with Nats killer Freddie Freeman and Justin Upton among others.
For the first five innings, it was a pitcher’s duel between Roark and Braves starter Aaron Harang. Then, in the sixth inning, Ian Desmond broke the tie with a two-run home run to left field, his 23rd of the season.
Desmond would end up scoring the third run of the game in the ninth inning when he came around to score on a wild pitch by David Carpenter. After Roark’s night was over, Tyler Clippard and Drew Storen shut out the Braves over the final two innings. Storen got Upton to ground out to second base for the final out of the game.
This win had to feel good for the Washington Nationals to clinch the division on a field where they didn’t have much success playing at. During that 2014 season, the Nats only won three games at Turner Field. Despite those lack of wins, Matt Williams’ club won the division by 17 games over the Braves.
Next: 2015 - Uggla's Home Run Caps Comeback