The Washington Nationals got two huge hits in Game 1 of the NLCS. That’s all they needed as right-handed pitcher Anibal Sanchez pitched a gem, as the Nationals downed the St. Louis Cardinals 2-0 to take the early series lead.
The Nationals’ fourth starter in their rotation, stifled the Cardinals offense. He held them hitless through 7 2/3 innings. Only a walk and two hit-by-pitches were his blemish until Jose Martinez got a pinch-hit single in the eighth inning with two outs, breaking up Sanchez’s no-hit bid.
Sanchez raised his hand as he walked off the mound to rare cheers from the otherwise hostile Busch Stadium crowd. It was the perfect performance and answer for the Nationals. He exceeded expectations.
The Nationals offense had their fair share of struggles. However, they got big hits. Howie Kendrick, Game 5’s hero in the NLDS, roped a double in the second inning. Two batters later Yan Gomes hit a double of his own, scoring Kendrick to take the early 1-0 lead.
In the seventh, Adam Eaton hit a one-out triple. Then, Kendrick delivered again with an RBI-single to score Eaton.
That’s all the help Sanchez needed. As he led the way to the first postseason one-hitter since 2013. Sanchez started that game too.
On a night in which Washington was without their closer Daniel Hudson, who was out on paternity list, and had two regular starters out, including catcher Kurt Suzuki, the Nationals couldn’t ask for anything more from their fourth starter.
Maybe the Cardinals were still on a hangover after dropping 13 runs in Game 5 of the NLDS to beat the Atlanta Braves. But, what Sanchez did given the circumstances and with Max Scherzer, Stephen Strasburg, and Patrick Corbin next in rotation, Game 1 was a tone-setter for the NLCS.
