Michael Morse’s career year not enough for Washington Nationals to win season – MLB News
Michael Morse has become only the fourth man in the history of Washington Nationals to hit 30-plus home-runs in a single season, but this accomplishment has not been enough for the Nationals to win the season.
Nationals have just one more game to play in the season and with a 79-80 win-loss record, even a win against Florida Marlins on Wednesday, September 29 will see them lose their sixth straight season.
Doug Slaten was given the responsibility to safely see the Nationals through the ninth inning. His pitching was immaculate, barring one, which turned the game in favour of the Marlins. Needing just one more out to wrap the ninth inning, Bryan Petersen unleashed
his arms to smash Slaten for a 404-feet homer down right-flank. Slaten was reduced to 0-2 for the season, even though his pitching was commendable.
Expressing himself after the game, Morse said, “This game has humbled me 10 times over — but that’s the way I like it.”
Nationals had roller-coaster year with a string of losses followed by a stretch of wins and then a dip in form when things matter the most. “(It was) stressful, of course,” he said. “But I’ve definitely had fun. Just being in the line-up everyday was my
biggest accomplishment. I kept telling myself, ‘Go out and get three hits today. But if you don’t guess what: you’ll be in there tomorrow.’ That would always put a smile on my face.”
Davey Johnson praised Morse as a player and emphasised that scoring runs for a ballclub in plenty that which does not a have strong offence means a lot. Morse has produced 90-plus RBIs in the season at an average of .300 and has 30 home-runs to his credit
thus far with a game to play.
Johnson rated Morse as his best player in the line-up, labelling him as the most effective of the lot.
Morse, however, remained humble and clarified that this season has helped him improve as a player and he will now want to be more consistent in the next season.
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