Washington Nationals Join Rare Club in Baseball History as They Beat Houston Astros

The Washington Nationals beat the Houston Astros on Thursday night in the team's first extra-inning game of the year.

What a difference 24 hours makes.

On Wednesday night after a walk-off loss to the Houston Astros, Washington Nationals manager Davey Martinez was furious and called out the umpires.

On Thursday, the Nationals beat the Astros, 4-1, in 10 innings to salvage the series.

The Nationals got the win in what was their first extra-inning game of the season. By playing their first extra-inning game so late into the year, the Nats joined a rare club in baseball history.

Per Sarah Langs of MLB.com:

this is the Nationals’ first extra-inning game. it’s game 67 

that’s the 4th-most games into a season a team has played its 1st extra-inning game since 1901, behind only: 

2005 Red Sox: 99 

2002 White Sox: 70 

2023 Rockies: 68 

h/t @CespedesBBQ for asking this on Tuesday !!

this is the Nationals’ first extra-inning game. it’s game 67

that’s the 4th-most games into a season a team has played its 1st extra-inning game since 1901, behind only:

2005 Red Sox: 99
2002 White Sox: 70
2023 Rockies: 68

h/t @CespedesBBQ for asking this on Tuesday !! pic.twitter.com/AdY1M7MQBE

— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) June 16, 2023

That's rather niche history, but we're a fan of that here at Fastball and FanNation. 

The Nationals got stellar pitching in this one from MacKenzie Gore and four relievers to pull off the win over the World Champions. Offensively, it was a struggle for both teams as they remained scoreless into the ninth inning.

The Nationals took a 1-0 lead in the top of the ninth on a homer by Keibert Ruiz and the Astros tied it in the bottom half on a Yainer Diaz single.

The Nationals then scored three times in the top of the 10th for the win.

With the win, Washington is now 27-40. They are tied with the St. Louis Cardinals for the fewest wins in the National League.

The Nationals will host the Marlins on Friday night at 7:05 p.m. ET.

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