National League Wild Card Game | Talkin' Baseball Burn
What Happened
The National League Wild Card game in Washington, D.C. is a high-stakes affair, with the Milwaukee Brewers facing off against the Washington Nationals. Veteran pitcher Max Scherzer takes the mound for the Nationals, but the Brewers' offense quickly gets to him. Catcher Yasmani Grandal blasts a two-run home run to right field, stunning the Nationals crowd and putting the Brewers up 2-0. Scherzer struggles to regain his form and the Brewers extend their lead to 3-0 as first baseman Eric Thames crushes a solo shot. However, the Nationals are not down and out, as third baseman Anthony Rendon hits a solo home run in the bottom of the third, making it a 3-1 game. Scherzer settles in and the Nationals turn to relief pitcher Stephen Strasburg in the sixth inning. Strasburg induces a crucial double play to keep the deficit at two runs. But in the ninth inning, the Nationals mount a dramatic comeback. Outfielder Juan Soto delivers a clutch RBI single and when Brewers outfielder Trent Grisham misplays the ball, the Nationals take a 4-3 lead. Closer Daniel Hudson comes in to shut the door for the Nationals and they hold on to win the National League Wild Card game, 4-3. The Nationals will now advance to face the Los Angeles Dodgers in the Division Series. It was a heart-pounding, back-and-forth affair that showcased the intensity of playoff baseball. Scherzer, Strasburg and the Nationals' offense all played critical roles, but the game ultimately came down to a costly error by the young Grisham, whose mistake allowed the Nationals to complete their comeback. "That's why you play the game," says Nationals manager Dave Martinez. "Anything can happen in October.".
Full Transcript
Click timestamps to jump to that momentWin or go home in the nation's capital as the beer makers faced off with
Nats. There's Robles in center getting the crowd going, and they had mad Max Scherzer
on the mound. Milwaukee would rough him up as they sent Brandon the mound. Hey,
are you a tits man or a yes man? Yes, Monty Grandel, two -run yakker
to right. The crowd is stunned. Scherzer's stunned. Welcome to the wildcard, DC.
Great times for the Brewers and the yes men. It's two -nothing Nats.
Oh, yeah, that face shows it all. Scratch that, it's three -nothing as they can't
tame Eric. Oh, he big strong. Washington would have to turn things around
quick, and they'd turn to Trey. Turn around. Trey's homer just made it
a little bit closer, but the Nats still need more runs. Three to one after
three. Scherzer settled in and passed it to Strasburg. Wow, first MLB
relief appearance for Steven. He'd come in in the six, and he got a big
double play ball here. Six, four, three. That's how you draw it up. But, Mama,
here comes that man. Nats about to drink the haterade as Josh comes in to
finish this one. Michael, the tool man. Taylor hit by pitch. Okay, we got a
runner on. Zimmerman, the pride of the Nats. Shattered bat single. We've got
two on. Look at that sheepish grin, and you'll see why. He just walks away
with a bat handle. Wow, that's awesome. That's art. Rendon, he walks.
Bases, hugs for the kid. 20 years old. So young. So toe. A drive to
right. One run will score. Oh, no. Gresham comes up, throw, and he boots it.
More like John Gresham for him. Oh, what a nightmare it is for that young
man. Soto on the base is already celebrating. He gets tagged out. Nats take the
4 -3 lead. Bless your heart, Trent Grisham. My word.
Daniel Hudson River flows through the knife. Washington wins the
NL wild card game. They go on to face the Dodgers.