Trailing 3-1 heading into the eighth inning against All-Star Brewers closer Josh Hader, Washington plated three runs in the penultimate inning of the game to take a 4-3 lead that they would not relinquish.

The Nationals found themselves in an early hole after Brewers catcher Yasmani Grandal hit a first inning two-run home run off of starting pitcher Max Scherzer.

Milwaukee, who miraculously made the playoffs despite an injury to star player Christian Yelich, added another run the next inning to go up 3-0 after Eric Thames crushed another home run off of Scherzer, who pitched 5 innings and gave up three runs.

Washington got a run back when shortstop Trea Turner hit a solo run off of Brewers starter Brandon Woodruff, the only run he allowed in four innings.

Milwaukee turned to Hader after getting scoreless outings from Brent Suter and Drew Pomeranz, and the floodgates opened. A Michael A. Taylor hit by pitch, a Ryan Zimmerman single, and an Anthony Rendon walk loaded the bases for Juan Soto, who came up with a clutch three-run single aided by a Trent Grisham error in right field to send Nationals Park into pandemonium after they took a 4-3 lead.

Daniel Hudson locked down the ninth inning save, and the Washington Nationals will live to fight against the powerhouse Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLDS, starting on Thursday night.

The post Nationals Rally Late to Win NL Wild Card Game 4-3 appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

Rafael Ortega, a 28-year-old bench outfielder with only 114 career games in the big leagues, slammed a game-winning grand slam off of Los Angeles Dodgers reliever Dustin May to propel Atlanta to a series win in what could be an NLCS preview.

After dropping the series opener on Friday night, the Braves rallied to win Saturday and Sunday’s games to make a statement against the top team in the National League, giving the team a boost of confidence as it moves into the final stretch of the season.

Sunday’s win wasn’t without controversy, however. Ortega, the eventual hero of the game, replaced star outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. in center field in the fifth inning after the latter was pulled after failing to hustle on a long drive hit off of the wall in right field.

The Braves, despite the controversy, went home happy after improving their record to 74-52 and maintaining a 5.5 game lead over the Washington Nationals in the NL East.

They’ll be back in action on Tuesday in Miami against the Marlins.

The post Braves Reserve Outfielder Rafael Ortega Slams Grand Slam to Topple Dodgers appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

Trailing 3-1 heading into the eighth inning against All-Star Brewers closer Josh Hader, Washington plated three runs in the penultimate inning of the game to take a 4-3 lead that they would not relinquish.

The Nationals found themselves in an early hole after Brewers catcher Yasmani Grandal hit a first inning two-run home run off of starting pitcher Max Scherzer.

Milwaukee, who miraculously made the playoffs despite an injury to star player Christian Yelich, added another run the next inning to go up 3-0 after Eric Thames crushed another home run off of Scherzer, who pitched 5 innings and gave up three runs.

Washington got a run back when shortstop Trea Turner hit a solo run off of Brewers starter Brandon Woodruff, the only run he allowed in four innings.

Milwaukee turned to Hader after getting scoreless outings from Brent Suter and Drew Pomeranz, and the floodgates opened. A Michael A. Taylor hit by pitch, a Ryan Zimmerman single, and an Anthony Rendon walk loaded the bases for Juan Soto, who came up with a clutch three-run single aided by a Trent Grisham error in right field to send Nationals Park into pandemonium after they took a 4-3 lead.

Daniel Hudson locked down the ninth inning save, and the Washington Nationals will live to fight against the powerhouse Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLDS, starting on Thursday night.

The post Nationals Rally Late to Win NL Wild Card Game 4-3 appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

Rafael Ortega, a 28-year-old bench outfielder with only 114 career games in the big leagues, slammed a game-winning grand slam off of Los Angeles Dodgers reliever Dustin May to propel Atlanta to a series win in what could be an NLCS preview.

After dropping the series opener on Friday night, the Braves rallied to win Saturday and Sunday’s games to make a statement against the top team in the National League, giving the team a boost of confidence as it moves into the final stretch of the season.

Sunday’s win wasn’t without controversy, however. Ortega, the eventual hero of the game, replaced star outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. in center field in the fifth inning after the latter was pulled after failing to hustle on a long drive hit off of the wall in right field.

The Braves, despite the controversy, went home happy after improving their record to 74-52 and maintaining a 5.5 game lead over the Washington Nationals in the NL East.

They’ll be back in action on Tuesday in Miami against the Marlins.

The post Braves Reserve Outfielder Rafael Ortega Slams Grand Slam to Topple Dodgers appeared first on yoursportspot.com.