The headline was set, the Washington Nationals were three outs away from yet another loss to the New York Mets. Down 5-4, the Nationals bullpen allowed five additional runs in the top of the ninth to dig Washington a 10-4 hole heading into the bottom of the ninth.
However, the Nationals rallied behind their streaky yet potent offense. Washington scored seven runs in the ninth capped by a walk-off three-run home run by catcher Kurt Suzuki to clip the Mets 11-10.
The incredible rally got started as Trea Turner hit a one out RBI-double to score Victor Robles. Two batters later, Turner crossed home plate off an Anthony Rendon RBI-single. Juan Soto loaded the bases with a single, moving Asdrubal Cabrera to third.
Ryan Zimmerman then roped a pinch-hit, two-run double to deep right that cut the Nationals’ deficit to 10-8, moving Soto to third in the process. That set up the stage for Suzuki, who fouled off two full count fastballs. Then he got on top of a third straight heater from Mets’ closer Edwin Diaz for the 400-foot walk-off blast.
The win was much-needed as the Nationals were on the verge of dropping a 12th game to the Mets this season. Despite allowing five runs in the top of the ninth, the Washington’s high-powered offense rescued the club from defeat.
