Nationals Win First World Series Title

After delivering a knockout blow in the late innings of Game 6 following a controversial interference call, the Washington Nationals looked to emerge victorious in Game 7 and complete a road team sweep in the World Series.

Nationals 6, Astros 2 (box score)

W: Patrick Corbin
L: Will Harris

The starting pitching matchup featured two giants of the modern game: Max Scherzer and Zack Greinke. Scherzer delivered a gritty performance, allowing two runs on seven hits with an uncharacteristically low three strikeouts in 5.0 IP.

Greinke steamrolled the Nats through the first six innings, allowing just one hit until a solo shot by Anthony Rendon in the 7th. The Astros starter exited the game after walking Juan Soto, and the Nats took the lead on a two-run blast by NLCS MVP Howie Kendrick.

Soto added an insurance tally with an RBI single in the 8th. In the 9th, Adam Eaton‘s two-run single increased the Nats lead to four.

Corbin and Daniel Hudson came in from the pen, shutting down the Astros offense en route to the Nationals’ first World Series championship. The Nats are the first Washington, D.C. MLB team to win the Fall Classic since the 1924 Washington Senators.

Stephen Strasburg, the winner of Games 2 and 6, was presented the World Series MVP trophy while his daughter simultaneously attempted to present him with her stuffed animal. He was 2-0 in the World Series with a 2.51 ERA over 14.1 IP, allowing four tuns on 12 hits with 14 strikeouts and a WHIP of 1.047. His career postseason ERA is 1.46, and he tied modern pitching legend Randy Johnson and 2002 World Series champion Francisco Rodríguez for most victories in a single postseason (5).

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