The Nats wasted some great performances tonight with HRs and clutch hits backing a tough night for Tanner Roark who gave up 4 earned in 7 1/3.
Jonathan Papelbon had a 2-run lead in the 9th as he came in for the save, and the 1st batter was Alex Gordon who fought off a pitch and grounded one through the vacated shortstop domain as Espinosa was in a shift. The next batter hit a single into leftfield. With runners on 3rd and 2nd, Papelbon got a K for the first out of the inning. In a 2 strike count to the pinch-hitter Moustakas, Papelbon threw a changeup that was grounded past the shift for a 2 RBI single that tied the game.
Lorenzo Cain with 2 outs and men on 3rd and 1st hit the ball past Michael Taylor for the walk-off winner.
It was Papelbon’s 2nd blown save of the season as he has now converted 9 of 11. This series is tied at one game a piece and tomorrow’s game with determine who wins the series.
You can look at the positives and negatives in this boxscore:
