Dan Uggla’s three-run shot completes Nationals eight-run comeback
This is sure to be a game Washington Nationals fans will remember for quite some time. But it didn’t start out that way. The Nationals battled back from an eight-run deficit Tuesday, defeating the Atlanta Braves 13-12.
Nationals starter A.J. Cole allowed nine earned runs over the first two innings, putting Washington in a big hole to start the game. After being down by eight runs, the team started battling back in the fifth inning.
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The comeback was spurred by an unlikely source. Dan Uggla, who came into the game hitting just .135, delivered three hits, including the go-ahead three-run homer.
With Jason Grilli at the plate in the top of the ninth inning, Uggla smashed a 93 mph fastball out to left for the three-run shot. Uggla also hit a triple during the contest. He finished 3 for 5, with two runs scored and five RBI.
It should be noted that Uggla is still owed money from the Braves, meaning Atlanta paid him to beat them.
Dan Uggla isn’t just still getting paid by the Braves, he’s getting paid more by the Braves than anyone on the Braves.
— Jesse Spector (@jessespector) April 29, 2015
Closer Drew Storen entered the game in the bottom of the ninth, and managed to preserve the one-run lead.
The win marked the largest deficit the Nationals have ever battled back from to win a game.
After the game, the team celebrated like any club would: By dousing Dan Uggla in chocolate syrup.
A number of strange things took place during the game, but that may have been the weirdest.
The win was a huge lift for the Nationals, who have gotten off to a poor start. After the comeback, the club improved to 8-13 on the year, and still sit at the bottom of the National League East.
With any huge victory like this, there’s sure to be a number of articles written asking whether this is the win that will kick-start the Nats. Maybe they’ll be inspired by Uggla’s home run and start winning games, or maybe they’ll just suddenly start playing up to everyone’s expectations because baseball standings are weird three weeks into the season.
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For now, the team came away with a huge win. Nationals fans ought to have an ice cream sundae to celebrate. Don’t skimp on the chocolate sauce, either.
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Chris Cwik is a writer for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Chris_Cwik
