If you thought the first game of this weekend series between the Washington Nationals and Philadelphia Phillies was wild, wait until you hear about the finale. The Nationals completed a stunning 5-4 win over the Phillies at Nationals Park, in a game that featured a long rain delay and ended with Jonny Gomes getting hit by a pitch in the bottom of the 10th inning.
It looked bleak for the Nationals when the Phillies snapped a 3-3 tie in the top of the ninth inning with a Michael Martinez RBI single off Drew Storen. It looked even bleaker when the Nationals were down to their final strike in the bottom of the ninth and the Phillie-infested crowd was on their feet. Then, Ian Desmond played hero, swatting a solo home run to left field to tie the game.
The Nationals then threatened in the bottom of the tenth inning. Ryan Zimmerman doubled, and Michael Morse was intentionally walked. Jayson Werth nearly played hero against his former team, but his single wasn't enough to score Zimmerman from second. After a Danny Espinosa strikeout, Gomes was hit by a pitch by Brad Lidge to seal the win.
The Nationals are now improbably 5-2 in their last seven games against the Phillies. Those Phillies fans have a tough trip home up I-95.