Adrenaline

Is there anything quite like the adrenaline rush after a big one? While it's debatable about whether this was the best game of the year, it's certainly near the top in entertainment value. It had everything; very low valleys, mid-range peaks, and a sphincter-clenching end-game that resulted in pure joy. What more could you want?

With the improbable 8-6 win, the Nats take 3 out of 4 from the Atlanta Braves and pull to within just 1.5 games of first place, with the Marlins coming into town.

It was a game of improbabilities.

After leaving Gary Majewski nearly for dead to give up four runs and the lead, the Nationals rallied for 5 runs in the 8th inning.

This is a team that has only scored 5 runs in an entire game twice in their last 15 games.

They haven't scored that many runs in one inning since putting up 7 against Jason Schmidt and the Giants nearly one month ago.

What else can you say?

• Nick Johnson had three hits in three attempts before leaving with stomach pains brought on, presumably, from eating too many enchiladas before the game.
  
  
• His replacement at first, Carlos Baerga flubbed a throw from Cristian Guzman that NJ would've scooped up, which prolonged the inning for Majewski, giving the Braves the lead.
  
  Yet, in the bottom of the inning, his clutch 3-2 single was one of the biggest hits of the year.
  
  
• Cristian Guzman had two hits -- solid ones, at that. He would have had three were it not for some typically all-world defense by Andruw Jones. It was his first multiple-hit game since May 3.
  
  
• Vinny Castilla had the Lame Duck locked up mid-game, having taken an 0-fer into the 8th inning, including two double play grounders.
  
  With the game on the line, and the double play in order again, he doubled, moving the tying run to third base.
  
  
• Gary Majewski, who's been lights-out, coughed up a game, and it didn't matter. The offense bailed him out. It's about time, because he's bailed the offense out every time he's stepped foot on the mound.
  
  
• Esteban Loaiza gave the team another great start: six innings, just two runs. The team scores runs for him, finally, but he still doesn't win. And, he scored on a foul ball sacrifice fly to right, off the bat of Jamey Carroll -- aggressive baserunning worked out.
  
  
• Jose Guillen had just one hit, but made two great catches.
  
  
• But, the Majority Whip for tonight's game is the man we sometimes-not-affectionately call PB, Gary Bennett. He set the tone early in the game, launching a two-run homer into the bullpen in deep left.
  
  Then, with the game on the line, and with Kevin Gryboski coming in to face him (After walking Marlon Byrd intentionally) he ripped a double into the gap in deep right, clearing the bases, and jabbing the dagger into the heart of the Braves.
  
  Ballgame.

I'm sure there was a Frank Senior Moment or two in there, but I'm too giddy now! Sometimes you gotta enjoy the moment. And tonight, I am!

Homestand Goal:
8-5
Homestand Record:
3-1