Over 37,638 people at Nationals Park got to their feet in the ninth and final inning of Sunday's game (and final inning of the 2011 season at Nationals Park) and roared when closer Drew Storen and the Washington Nationals were able to make the final out to shutdown and shutout the struggling Atlanta Braves 3-0.
Nationals starter Ross Detwiler delivered a strong end of season performance going six innings, giving up only four hits, no runs, walking two, striking out four and getting out of two tight jams in his fourth victory of the 2011 season. He finishes his 2011 campaign 4-5 with a 3.00 ERA in 15 games.
The Nationals took the lead in the fourth off a Wilson Ramos solo home run, his 15th of the season. Then in the seventh inning outfielder Michael Morse put the insurance in for the Nationals by unloading on a Cristhian Martinez pitch and placed it into the right field stands for a two-run home run. It was Morse's 29th of the season and 50th home run of his career. Storen earned his 42nd save of the year to close out the game.
The Nats put a serious damper on the Braves playoff hopes. Depending on the outcome of the St. Louis Cardinals game, the Braves' Wild Card lead might be shortened to one game.
The Nationals are now 78-80 on the year and hold a two game lead over the New York Mets for third place in the NL East with three games to go. The Nationals now move to complete the season against the Florida Marlins in Florida. If the Nationals can sweep the Fish, they will finish over .500 for the first time in their history.