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Washington Nationals: Top 10 Games Of 2016 (10-6)

By Ricky Keeler

May 29, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals right fielder Bryce Harper (34) is congratulated by manager Dusty Baker (12) after the game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
May 29, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals right fielder Bryce Harper (34) is congratulated by manager Dusty Baker (12) after the game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 24, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; The Washington Nationals celebrate in the clubhouse after clinching the National League Eastern Division Championship by defeating the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park. The Nationals won 6-1. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

NL East Clincher In Pittsburgh

With their magic number to clinch the NL East down to two, the Washington Nationals took the field at PNC Park and got a big lead early against Ivan Nova and the Pirates. It was 3-0 before Ross took the mound due to a Harper sac fly and a Drew two-run single with the bases loaded in the top of the first.

Despite getting the early lead, Ross did not go deep into this game. Josh Bell hit a solo home run against him in the third to cut the Nats lead to 3-1. Ross ended up going 2.2 innings, giving up the solo home run on five hits.

After Ross, the bullpen was able to shut out the Pirates for the final 6.1 innings. Reynaldo Lopez was the MVP of this game as he pitched 5.1 of those innings and gave up three hits while striking out six and walking two. You could make the case that this was the game that clinched Lopez a spot in the bullpen for the NLDS against the Dodgers.

The Washington Nationals offense tacked on three more insurance runs in the fourth inning to give them a 6-1 lead, which ended up being the final score. They had to wait until the Phillies beat the Mets that night to clinch the division, but once the score went final, the champagne party was on in the visitor’s clubhouse as the Nats clinched their third NL East title in the last five years.

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