Tonight's post-game: Another memorable Nats win.
- Memorable debut: Tommy "The Bomber" Milone (-12.0% pitching, +7.0% hitting) throws three scoreless, but gives up 4 ER in the 4th and only gets one out in the 5th. However, he jacks a three-run bomb into the home bullpen in the 2nd to pad the early lead (+10.6%).
- Support the rookie: Ian Desmond (+6.5%) hits a solo shot for the early lead (+10.3%), while Roger Bernadina (+4.5%) hits one to pad the mid-game lead (+11.4%).
- Was the bullpen mad about being bombed? Tom Gorzelanny (-14.5%) gives up two runs to tie it, while Tyler Clippard (-15.0%) lets the go-behind run score in the 7th.
- Rally time: Jesus Flores (+30.2%) singles to start the bottom of the 9th (+11.3%), Brian Bixler (his PR) takes 2nd on a WP (+11.0%), and Ryan Zimmerman (+43.4%) hits a bases-loaded bloop that drops in for two runs and the walkoff (+47.0%).
Bonus WE fun after the jump! Is the "common wisdom" right?
Here are the last few plays of the game with the associated WE:
| Pitcher | Player | Outs | Base | Score | Inning - Bottom 9 | LI | WE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| B Parnell | R Zimmerman | 1 | 123 | 8-7 | Ryan Zimmerman singled to second (Fliner (Fly)). Brian Bixler scored. Jonny Gomes scored. Roger Bernadina advanced to 2B. | 9.02 | 100.0 % |
| B Parnell | R Bernadina | 1 | _23 | 6-7 | Roger Bernadina was intentionally walked. | 5.92 | 53.0 % |
| B Parnell | I Desmond | 0 | 12_ | 6-7 | Ian Desmond sacrificed to pitcher (Bunt Grounder). Brian Bixler advanced to 3B. Jonny Gomes advanced to 2B. | 6.18 | 53.4 % |
| B Parnell | J Gomes | 0 | _2_ | 6-7 | Jonny Gomes walked. | 4.37 | 50.9 % |
| B Parnell | B Bixler | 0 | 1__ | 6-7 | Brian Bixler advanced on a wild pitch to 2B. | 5.40 | 43.4 % |
| B Parnell | J Flores | 0 | ___ | 6-7 | Jesus Flores singled to left (Fliner (Liner)). | 3.39 | 32.4 % |
You know it drives me crazy when position players bunt, but in this case, Desmond's sac bunt increase the team's Win Expectancy (WE) from 50.9% to 53.4%, for +2.5% WPA. Moving a runner to 3rd with one out (while also removing the chance for a GDP) more than made up for giving away an out in this case. Walking Bernadina, although it did bring up Zim, actually slightly decreased the WE from 53.4% to 53.0%. Creating the chance for a GDP made up for putting an extra man on base.