We're in (yet another) tough spell as Nats Fans. I know I've been slacking a little on the Plays of the Week and the Tuesday Nats Stats, but that's more because I've been too busy at work to surf baseball stats than because of the daily disappointment of being a Nats fan.  In times like these, it's important to remember the good times, and why even watching a struggling team can be fun.

The new Play of the Year after the jump...

You remember the situation.  Sunday, June 29th--rubber game of the home series with the Os...  Bergmann clings to a 1-0 lead for six innings (on a Boone RBI FC in the first).  The Os tie it with a long ball in the 7th, and Rivera and Rauch keep it tied to go into extras.  Ayala hangs on for two innings, then gets into a jam in the 12th, two men on and no outs!  Manny brings on Charlie Manning who gets a big K on Luke Scott to set up "Wild" Joel Hanrahan.  Hanny gives up an RBI singles that puts the Birds up 2-1. He escapes the inning with no further damage, but can the anemic Nats offense get it back?  The annoying Os fans didn't think so...

Two quick outs in the home half (Orr Ks and PLoD grounds out).  Da Meathook works himself a walk, bringing up Ronnie Belliard.  Two quick strikes, some marginal, very close balls, and then... magic...

Absolute baseball magic

Two-out, two-strike, come-from-behind walkoff homer in extras!  Does it get any sweeter than this?  It's about the best you can do in terms of win-percentage added on a single play: +0.899!  That's the biggest play so far this year.

Zimmy took BP yesterday, Dukes will be on the mend soon enough, and Chief will be healthy for Spring training.  In the meantime, we still get some doses of good baseball.