The Nationals were down to their final six outs of the NLDS, trailing 3-1 when Anthony Rendon and Juan Soto went back-to-back off Dodgers star Clayton Kershaw in the eighth inning to tie the game. Then in extra innings, the unthinkable happened, as Howie Kendrick launched a grand slam in the 10th to help propel the Nationals to their first-ever NLCS.
The Nationals took a commanding 7-3, all thanks to some key at-bats in the 10th.
Adam Eaton battled back from down 1-2 on the count to draw a walk to lead off the inning. Rendon then hit a ground rule double that advanced Eaton to third. Trying to minimize the damage, the Dodgers elected to intentionally walk the 20-year old Soto to load the bases with no outs.
After fouling off a curve ball from reliever Joe Kelly, Kendrick got on top of a 1-0 fast ball, sending it 410 feet over the center field wall at Dodger Stadium.
Soto raised his hands in triumph. The Nationals dugout erupted in euphoria. And the Dodgers faithful headed for the exits in disbelief.
Sean Doolittle, who has lost his closer role after late season struggles and a stint on the injured list, came in the 10th and closed the door to Game 5 for the Nationals first-ever series victory.
