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The New Year is upon us and that’s why it’s a good time to take a look back at some of the best Washington Nationals moments of 2016.
There were plenty of exciting moments during the season, but I’m picking my top five. The moments I picked are not in any particular order.
Chris Heisey walk-off home run against the Minnesota Twins:
A walk-off home run by Chris Heisey in the 16th inning lifted the Nationals over the Twins 5-4 and capped off the longest game in team history.
The Nationals were down 4-1 to until Wilson Ramos hit a two-run double followed by Bryce Harper blasting a solo shot to right field to tie the game.
Max Scherzer 20 strikeout performance against his former team, the Detroit Tigers:
There was a lot of going on in this game that made it special. Jordan Zimmermann was pitching in Nats Park for the first time since he left for Detroit and Max Scherzer was pitching against his former team.
Mad Max amazed Nationals Park and baseball fans all over with his 20 strikeout outing. It was a performance that played a big role in winning his second CY Young Award.
Jayson Werth’s postgame game interview with Dan Kolko after his walk-off hit against the Chicago Cubs:
Nationals welcomed the Chicago Cubs to Nationals Park in June for a three game series that could have been a possible NLCS matchup.
In the final game of the series, Jayson Werth hit a walk-off single to beat the World Series champions 5-4.
After the epic finale, Werth talked to Dan Kolko and this is what he had to say:
Nationals celebrating their third division title:
It was a great feeling to see the Nationals players and coaches celebrate in the locker room after knowing they had clinched the NL East crown. Shoutout to the Phillies for beating the Mets that day so the Nationals could clinch. Too bad it was the only time the Nationals were popping champagne in the locker room.
Jose Lobaton two-run home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 2 of the NLDS:
The Nationals were being shut down by Dodgers pitcher Rich Hill... until the bottom of the fourth inning when catcher Jose Lobaton belted a three-run home run to left field that carried the Nationals to a Game 2 victory. The momentum carried to Los Angeles when the Nationals beat the Dodgers in Game 3, but they couldn’t get the series win.