Washington Nationals: Top 10 moments from the 2018 season

5 – Max Scherzer saves the day in extra innings

Max Scherzer makes his first appearance on the list, but you can be pretty sure it won’t be his last. He had a magnificent season on the mound for the Washington Nationals, but in this one, he shone with the bat.

The Nats and Braves had gone 13 innings and were still tied at 3-3 with one away in the 14th. Out of options on the bench, manager Davey Martinez sent Scherzer and his .286 batting average to the plate.

He was able to single up the middle to increase his average to .310 on the season and make himself the go-ahead run. After Michael A. Taylor flew out, Wilmer Difo hit a deep drive to right-center and Scherzer scampered home from first base to give the Nats the lead.

The right-hander got back to the dugout bouncing with typical Max Scherzer energy in what was a huge win over a team they thought they would contend with all season. He lives for those moments.

In a series against the Atlanta Braves where Scherzer wasn’t due to start, their fans probably let out a sigh of relief. Little did they know that he was still going to have an impact in the series.

Scherzer could end up taking home National league SIlver Slugger honors this winter for his performance with the bat. This pinch-hit performance against the Braves will certainly be one of his main arguments for that hardware, although he’ll have his sights on pitching honors first and foremost.