The Washington Nationals keep on rolling.
The team that looked dead and dusted in the middle of May completed a three-game sweep of the Chicago Cubs with a 7-5 win in extra-innings on Sunday.
The Nationals have now won five in a row, seven of their last eight, 12 of their last 14, and (oh, why not?) 54 of their last 80. That's a .675 winning percentage! That is bonkers.
I got muscles like Superman trainer -- pic.twitter.com/oa5qD5gzDu
— Nationals on MASN (@masnNationals) August 25, 2019Unfortunately, the Nationals (73-57) didn't gain any ground on the Atlanta Braves in the race for the NL East, as they swept the Mets and are riding an eight-game winning streak. However, Washington did add to their lead in the Wild Card. The sweep put them four games up on the Cubs for the top spot and 5.5 ahead of the Phillies, who are on the outside looking in at the moment.
For the Nats and their fans, a sweep at Wrigley Field was a long time coming: Their first since 2005.
The @Nationals sweep the Cubs at Wrigley for the 1st time since 2005.Juan Soto was 7. pic.twitter.com/xU3TqMbso7
— MLB Stats (@MLBStats) August 25, 2019The sweep wasn't a forgone conclusion, especially after Fernando Rodney let a two-run lead slip with two outs in the bottom of the eighth inning. But some clutch hits from Howie Kendrick, Trea Turner, and Anthony Rendon (who went 4-for-5 on Sunday) won the day for the visitors in extra innings.
“Resilient. They’re very resilient. I’m telling you, I’ve said this all along: They’re not going to quit. That’s who they are," Nationals manager Davey Martinez said of his club, via MASN.
The manager, who was at one point managing to save his job during the early season struggles, is enjoying the Nationals incredible run of form.
“It’s been a lot of fun,” Martinez said after the game. “And I credit these guys for sticking with it, cause they could’ve easily gone south when things were going bad. But they didn’t. It’s a testament to the veterans, to the coaching staff, myself, (general manager Mike Rizzo), just constantly staying positive and bringing energy every day with these guys.
"They bring energy every day. We’re on a great run and it’s been fun,” he added.
And that energy has produced runs by the bucket load: 124 in their last 15 games.
US: We've scored 104 runs in our last 11 gamesYOU: Man, the bats are *on fire*VICTOR ROBLES: pic.twitter.com/Eux8sBpz2s
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) August 25, 2019Anthony Rendon has a 12-game hitting streak in which he is 22-53, .415 in that stretch. @Nationals are 15-4 in last 19 games. Howie Kendrick is now 8-15 in last four games.
— Pete Medhurst (@PeteMedhurst) August 25, 2019Martinez closed his postgame comments with a shout-out to the traveling fans.
"I need to say one more thing, too. Cause our fans have been incredible this weekend," the Nats skipper said. "We had a bunch of them here. They were above our dugout, and our players fed off that. Much appreciated. Keep coming out. They love it. And here we go."
Davey Martinez wraps up his meeting with reporters by commending the Nats fans who were at Wrigley. "Keep coming out. Here we go."The Nationals are coming home. Not coincidental timing. Joining Stras and others who want Nats Park to be hopping during playoff run.
— Grant Paulsen (@granthpaulsen) August 25, 2019Luckily for Nationals fans, they won't have to travel very far: They ballclub plays its next eight games at Nats Park.
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