Washington Nationals deserted by Drew Storen as they lose 7-9 to St. Louis Cardinals in NLDS-MLB
Relief pitcher Drew Storen crumbles in the last inning as he costs Washington Nationals elimination from the post-season after becoming the cause of their 7-9 defeat against St. Louis Cardinals at Nationals Park on October 12, 2012 in the last match of the
five game National League Division Series.
The game took twists and turns all through the innings. At one stage the Nationals were dominant and heading to victory but as the couple of innings passed the momentum started to shift away from them.
The Cardinals began slowly before they turned belligerent late in the game.
Although they trailed by six runs before the start of the fourth inning, they continued with a positive mindset and kept attacking.
Despite showing fierce resistance against the Nationals, the Cardinals were short of two runs from tying the score as they entered into the ninth inning.
In the last inning, they needed their batters to produce something spectacular at the plate in order to stay ahead of the Nationals.
They were fortunate enough that their batters stepped up when it was needed as they scored four runs in the ninth inning.
As a result, they stole the victory from the Nationals who before the last inning were favorites.
The Nationals will be extremely disappointed with their pitchers who could not protect their lead.
Gio Gonzalez started for the Nationals. He gave up three runs in five innings. Similarly Drew Storen who did the closing job leaked four runs in one inning as he suffered the loss.
Storen will be dejected for becoming the cause for the defeat in such an important game is a nightmarish scenario for a player. He could not absorb the pressure and stop batters from striking hits against his throws.
Nationals’ manager Davey Johnson is disheartened as he feels they battled hard throughout the season but failed when it matters.
''We've had a great year overcoming a lot of hardship,'' Davey Johnson said. ''and to not go after them at the end was not fun to watch.''
Centre fielder for the Nationals, Bryce Harper had something to be proud of even though the Nationals lost. He hit a triple in the first and then a home-run in the third of the match.
The Nationals’ expedition has come to an unfortunate end. They will be looking ahead now and preparing for the upcoming season.
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