Washington Nationals: Top 10 moments from the 2018 season
By Blake Finney
10 – Nationals post a football score against the Mets
July 31st was a weird day for the Washington Nationals. At the MLB Trade Deadline, nobody was sure whether they were buyers or sellers, and in the end, they stood pat outside of dealing away Brandon Kintzler.
Mike Rizzo and the Lerner family had come out and publicly supported the current crop of players to fight their way back into the playoff race. The players were able to respond in the best possible way on the last game in July
They came out all guns blazing in the first inning, chasing Mets start Steven Matz from the game after giving up seven runs. The line just kept on moving, even when he intentionally walked Matt Wieters to get to Tanner Roark, who duly doubled to left field to pile on the misery for his opposite number.
The runs kept coming and coming with three runs in each of the next four innings. The onslaught included two home runs from Daniel Murphy who continued the demolition of his former team with a 3 for 4 night including six RBI.
The game even ended in pretty bizarre circumstances as Shawn Kelley attempted to finish the game off. He gave up an RBI groundout to Jeff McNeil and then a two-run homer from Austin Jackson in the ninth.
Kelley then proceeded to throw his glove on the ground and stared back at the Nats dugout in frustration. The reliever was then designated for assignment the next day by Mike Rizzo, as he thought Kelley was showing up his manager.
On the whole a great day for the nats, and one that won’t be forgotten in a hurry for multiple reasons.