Nats Win 7-5 on Friday on My Birthday

The Nats celebrate their win.

Going to a Nats game has become a tradition on my birthday. My record is now 3-1 for birthday games.

This one was exciting. The cubs had three home runs in the game which made it much too close for my comfort.

The Nats had a home run too. Danny Espinosa had one in the second that gave the Nats a 3-0 lead. They got two more in the fourth. But that's when the Cubs started chipping away at the lead.

From the Post:

On Friday night, he [Tanner Roark] set the Cubs’ order down once without a hit. Anthony Rizzo hit a solo home run in the fourth, but Roark sailed smoothly into the sixth. In that inning, Rendon made a diving play to his right to keep Addison Russell off base, which was important because Rizzo struck again a few batters later, a two-run home run that could have gone for three had Russell reached. Miguel Montero hit a solo homer two batters later. Roark left after 5²/₃ innings, allowing four runs on six hits — three of them homers, which he said came from leaving fastballs up in the strike zone.

So the 7th inning stretch comes along and the game is very close 5-4. The Nats added a run in that inning. Then came the top of the order for the Cubs and Anthony Rizzo. Then this happened:

Rizzo, who smashed a line drive to deep center field. Span, battling a sore right knee, chased it to the wall, leapt and made one of the most stunning catches of the Nationals’ season. 

It was a spectacular catch. Rizzo had been a thorn in the side of the Nats all night. When Span came to the dugout he received a huge round of applause and an even louder roar of approval. 

Things got a little exciting again in the top of the 9th. Drew Storen came in to close out the game. With two outs he allowed one run in. But struck out the final batter.

Another curly W in the books on my birthday. It was a great night.