Chain Reactions: Washington Nationals Rolling, Washington Wizards Prepare For 2011 NBA Draft

This week's Chain Reactions hits on the Nationals giving fans a reason to stay tuned, why Michael Morse is an all-star, the Wizards with lots of options on draft night and Donovan McNabb's final shot at the Shanahans.

Mariners Vs. Nationals: Washington Reacts To Wilson Ramos' Walk Off Home Run

For about two hours and 45 minutes, last night was one of the worst Nationals games of the year to watch. Doug Fister had held them down, only allowing three hits in eight innings work. And when they did get anyone on base, Ryan Zimmerman was there to hit into a deflating double play. But then the ninth inning came around, and everything just started to feel a little bit different

Something about their luck just started to change. Jayson Werth used an error to get to second as the first batter of the game. Then Michael Morse hit a ball off Mariners closer Brandon League, reaching first base and knocking him out of the game at the same time. When Wilson Ramos strolled to the plate, I had a better feeling about the outcome than I normally do when the team is down two with one out left. I wasn't the only one who was confident. According to Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post, the Nationals never gave up hope.

“We never put our heads down,” Ramos said. “We thought we could win the game.”

For Jayson Werth, it started when the Mariners pulled Fister out of the game.

“You kind of a take deep breath,” Jayson Werth said. “It’s like, ‘He’s gone. Let’s get this guy.’ When the inning started, we felt pretty good about it.”

However you slice it, and whatever circumstances led to them completing the comeback, it speaks volume about this team's character. There were some questions about how they would respond after their win streak was broken on Sunday. I think they answered those questions pretty well.

Washington Nationals Celebrate Like Crazy After Incredible Ninth-Inning Rally

Mariners Vs. Nationals Final: Wilson Ramos Helps Nationals Walk Off In Style 6-5

The Seattle Mariners had complete control of Tuesday night's game against the Washington Nationals. Pitcher Doug Fister held the Nationals off with an eight inning, one run on three hit performance and the Seattle offense roughed up Livan Hernandez to take a commanding lead into the ninth-inning. With the final play of the game finished, Seattle has to be wondering what happened as the Nationals pulled off an astounding five-run rally in the ninth to win 6-5.

Down to their final out of the game, Wilson Ramos stepped to the plate for the Nationals with two men on. Seattle reliever David Pauley came into the game after reliever Brandon League left the game after a Michael Morse line drive hit his leg. Pauley served Ramos a change up on the third pitch of the at-bat and Ramos made contact with the ball, dropping his bat and raising his arms in response because he knew the outcome: a three-run walk-off home run over the left field wall. It was the icing on the cake of a five run rally in the last inning of the game. Jerry Hairston Jr. and Danny Espinosa also collected RBi singles in the inning. Roger Bernadina also had an RBI in the game.

Tuesday's walk-off gave Nationals starter Livan Hernandez a sigh of relief. Hernandez followed up his complete game performance against St. Louis with a rotten egg against Seattle. He gave up five runs on 10 hits and surrendered a lead off hit in all four innings he pitched.

The Nationals return to being one win away from .500 with a 36-37 record and are third in the NL East.

Mariners Vs. Nationals Score: Nationals Can't Stop The Runs, Fall Behind 5-0

Washington Nationals starter Livan Hernandez just can't seem to keep the Seattle Mariners off the board and the Nationals offense have not been able to solve Doug Fister as the Nationals have fallen into a deep hole by the score of 5-0 going into the sixth-inning.

After pitching a three-hit complete game shutout in his last outing, Hernandez is not looking like the same pitcher. He only lasted four innings giving up five runs on 10 hits against Seattle. Hernandez gave up lead-off hits in every single inning he pitched and gave up two runs in the very first inning. The Nationals themselves have only been able to garner two hits. Jayson Werth and Ryan Zimmerman have each collected a single. The Nats have committed one error thanks to Jayson Werth attempting to bare hand a single.

Things are not looking good for the Nationals Tuesday night. The offense is going to have to put together a remarkable final three innings to get back in this game and hope the bullpen can plug the hole Hernandez left behind him.

Mariners Vs. Nationals: Washington Looks To Starbuck Seattle In Interleague Play

The Seattle Mariners travel from the land of rain, grunge rock and Starbucks to the Nation's Capital to duke a series out with the Washington Nationals in interleague play on Tuesday night. Seattle ranks sixth in overall interleague play with a record of 140-113 and will be looking to build on that record against the Nats. The Nationals, coming off their first loss in nine games, will be gunning to start a new winning streak at the expense of the Mariners.

Washington has had a lot of momentum lately after an eight game win streak, battling themselves close to .500 and suddenly finding the team name in talks about the Wild Card. However, they hit a bump on Sunday as they lost a sloppy game full of miscues against the Baltimore Orioles. How the team reacts Tuesday night will say a lot about how much has changed in the Washington organization and its character.

To get them back on the winning track the Nationals turn to their veteran, Cuban right-hander Livan Hernandez (4-8, 3.77 ERA). Hernandez is coming off one of the best starts of his career, a three-hit complete game shutout of the St. Louis Cardinals. He will be opposed by Seattle's Doug Fister (3-8, 3.53 ERA) who gave up four runs in the first inning of his last outing before settling down and pitching six scoreless innings afterwards against the Los Angeles Angels.

There is only a 30% chance of rain tonight in Washington so it looks like the game is a go for a 7:05 P.M. start time.

Nationals Line-Up

Jayson Werth - RF
Roger Bernadina - CF
Ryan Zimmerman - 3B
Laynce Nix - LF
Michael Morse - 1B
Danny Espinosa - 2B
Wilson Ramos - C
Livan Hernandez - SP
Ian Desmond - SS