Plus, the Nationals will likely need an innings-eater on the playoff roster. He will be a free agent at the end of this season, and the Nationals could use some insurance at the back end of the rotation next year, and many teams could use a veteran with the 3.62 ERA Jackson had at the beginning of Saturday’s outing. Right-hander Edwin Jackson, for example, needs a good September. Milestones linger, and less than a month remains until everyone must discover their rhythm at the plate - lest they be doomed to an October without it. Individuals seek stats or secure futures. These September games were always going to mean something, however comfortable the Nationals’ position in the standings. “You can’t think about those things or you’ll start pressing and stuff like that.” “We’ll just come out and play the game,” said Michael A. As they finalize their division title, the Nationals could still improve their position further. The Nationals began the evening just five games behind the once untouchable Dodgers for the best record in baseball. They never invited many doubts.īut Saturday, they woke up with a new opportunity dangling in the distance. Mlb magic number series#The moment they lost a National League Division Series last October, they once again became the favorites to win a largely rebuilding NL East. Moments of excitement punctuated what has been a season almost entirely devoid of suspense. So much of the Nationals’ season has been, in effect, a foregone conclusion. “It doesn’t change anything because it’s inevitable,” Nationals Manager Dusty Baker said. The Nationals' magic number entering Sunday is two. The Marlins ended up losing on a walk-off walk. But the whole thing amounted to a downright dramatic moment for a team that has fended off real drama with a steady and consistent march to the top of the National League East. In the end, Robles grounded out to finish a 5-4 loss, nipped by a step on a routine groundball to short that doesn't usually create such a close encounter. The crowd rose to its feet, hoping Robles could produce the kind of moment that foretells stardom - or, at least, that he could tie the game against the Philadelphia Phillies and help the Washington Nationals shrink their magic number by one more. Mlb magic number full#Victor Robles didn’t get the call, and he instead found himself with a full count in his second major league at-bat.Īs he stepped back in for the decisive pitch, the out-of-town scoreboard in right field at Nationals Park showed the Atlanta Braves rallying against the Miami Marlins, and the Colorado Rockies seizing an early lead over the sputtering Los Angeles Dodgers. The youngest player to play in the major leagues this year should have walked when he came to the plate with two outs and the tying run on second in the bottom of the ninth Saturday evening.
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