Winner circle by Marlene Koenig
The Washington Nationals split this doubleheader today, and are a win away tomorrow from legitimately being back in the pennant race. The Nats won 6-2, but the bullpen had to be pushed because the Mets had two runners on-base in the final inning of a 6-2 game, and this was because Jon Lester came out for a Manfredian complete game in this 7-inning abridged version.
Lester was just two batters into the 7th inning with his longest outing of the season and gave up a 2-run home run. Wander Suero came into the game and quickly put two runners on-base so manager Dave Martinez kind of created the situation and had to go to his closer who quickly saved the win.
Of course most of those six runs from the Nats came from two Kyle Schwarber home runs and one was an absolute bomb over the red porch seats for a 443 footer to lead-off the game. Schwarber’s 3-run tater turned a 3-run lead to a 6-run lead for some needed insurance runs. All of that support along with a Trea Turner solo homer earned Lester his first Nats win.
“This team, they never quit,” Schwarber said. “I can’t wait until we get 100 percent healthy, and we’ll keep this thing rolling.”
Rolling is what this team is doing recently as the have won 6 of 7 games now with tonight’s win, and the Nats are ready for the series finale tomorrow on Father’s Day.
