Nationals Even Up Series with Dodgers

By Djack

Another unlikely hero comes through in the clutch to provide their team a win in these playoffs. First Conor Gillaspie did for the Giants in the wildcard game against the Mets and now another hero emerged today. In what was basically a must win game for the Nationals, since the odds of going down 0-2 on the road are terrible, Jose Lobaton was that surprise hero. His three run homerun in the 4th inning gave the Nationals hope as their chances were beginning to look real slim. Corey Seager in the first playoff series of his young career is killing it, I know it's only been two games, but he has two runs, and has scored half of the Dodgers runs in this series. That was the problem today though, Seager can't be the only one hitting if their going to win this series, after Kershaw this starting rotation isn't anything special, and their bullpen can't bail them out every night. Rich Hill started today for the Dodgers, he had been very good this regular season with a 2.12ERA and 1.00WHIP so he should've been able to hand off the lead to the Dodgers bullpen with a lead. Especially since he was given a 2 run and the Nationals crowd was deader than a funeral. Jose Lobaton turned the tables on this series though, his three run homerun to give the nationals the 3-2 lead in the forth inning changed the course of this series. The stadium erupted and a whole new energy was restored into the Nationals play. Daniel Murphy would knock in two RBI's later in the game as insurance runs. The Nationals bullpen wouldn't need it though, as they would throw 4 2/3 innings of one hit baseball. Nationals tying up the series going back to LA is huge, now all they have to do is steal one on the road, and come back home to win the series in front of their home crowd. Dodgers regardless of the loss today still have to feel good about their chances because they accomplished their mission of stealing a game on the road. Both teams still feel great about their chances going into LA so game three should be really fun to watch.