Washington Nationals: Top 10 Games Of 2016 (5-1)

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Oct 9, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals catcher Jose Lobaton (59) is congratulated by third base coach Bob Henley (13) after hitting a three run home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the fourth inning during game two of the 2016 NLDS playoff baseball series at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /

Nats Tie NLDS Against Dodgers

After a tough Game 1 loss to Clayton Kershaw and a rainout the following day, the Washington Nationals had a must win Game 2 against the Dodgers. Right out of the gate, Tanner Roark gave up a solo home run to Corey Seager in the top of the first to put LA up 1-0. It was the second consecutive game that Seager had hit a first inning home run.

The Dodgers had many chances to break the game open in the early stages, but Roark kept the deficit at two thanks to a key double play in the third inning after a Josh Reddick RBI single. Los Angeles went 1-for-9 with runners in scoring position in the loss and left 12 men on base.

For the first three innings, the Nats did nothing against Rich Hill as they struck out seven times. But, in the fourth inning, the unlikeliest of heroes emerged as Jose Lobaton hit a go-ahead three-run home run to left to give the Nats a 3-2 lead.

After Lobaton’s home run, Daniel Murphy provided key insurance RBI singles in the fifth and seventh innings respectively to put the Nats ahead 5-2. Once Roark left the game, the bullpen did not give up a hit over the final 4.2 innings and Mark Melancon picked up his first and only save of the postseason.

While the Washington Nationals ended up losing the NLDS in five games, this game makes the list because of the surprising home run by Lobaton and a three-hit afternoon by Murphy.

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