The Nats could have folded after they lost game two to the defending MLB champions in gut-wrenching fashion. The Nats could have folded after they lost another lead in the bottom of the ninth in game three. But the Nationals would not allow themselves to crumble and won their second series road finale in row. Washington finished a six-game road trip at two contenders with two wins and four losses.
The Nats salvaged the series finale with a road comeback victory over the best team in the National League.
As Kevin Frandsen said at the end of the Nats TV broadcast yesterday afternoon, “This is different. And this is a good different.” These young Nats have their ups and downs, but their ability to shake things off and continue to compete after a brutal loss on Saturday night was on full display in the series finale on Sunday. While still early in the season, the Nats are playing better than 2022. Since improvement was a crucial goal for the club in 2023, this Washington squad is on a solid track, even if the track is not the fastest. The Nats salvaged the last game of the series in Phoenix yesterday with another crazy finish. In doing so, the Nats also boosted their confidence and character for the remainder of the season.
In the last week, the Washington Nationals won two straight road series versus good teams (Twins, Mets). In taking the first two games of each series the Nats finished a very productive road trip at 4-2. The Nats road record now stands at 7-6. If those numbers sound good, the team’s quality of play was even better. The National League leading Pittsburgh Pirates (18-8) roll into town for a three-game set over the weekend.
The Washington Nationals opened the 2023 season by dropping their first two games, but they were able to win the last of the three home games versus the Atlanta Braves. During those first two losses, three unsettling developments involved the number three.
