Last night’s Washington Nationals 4-1 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers clinched an appearance in the NL Wild Card at minimum, but it is really a play-in-game in the new format. I can’t get excited yet. The Cincinnati Reds clinched the play-in appearance earlier in the day too. If neither team wins again, they’ll meet for the right to advance as the Wild Card. Since that’s played in Dayton, the Nats better keep winning, right?
Charlie Slowes even got his fireworks!
When the Nats win the division title, I’ll get excited. The are 13 games to go and the Nats magic number over the Atlanta Braves is 8.
I didn’t think there should be much celebrating of this, but Jayson Werth disagreed:
#Nats OF Jayson Werth: “I think there was some talk about not celebrating [a playoff berth] at all. I kind of talked them out of that.”
— Brian McNally (@bmcnally14) September 21, 2012
POST-GAME TEAM REACTIONS
RECAPS
Washington Nationals clinch MLB playoff spot with 4-1 win over Los Angeles Dodgers _ The Post
The playoffs are the payoff for the Nationals – CSN Washington
Nationals don’t go wild after clinching playoff berth – The Wash. Examiner
Nationals beat Dodgers to clinch D.C.’s first playoff berth since 1933 – The Wash. Times
Playoff spot is only first step for Nationals – nationals.com
MORE TWITTER REACTIONS
George Michael shoulda been here. Glenn Brenner shoulda been here. Mo Siegel shoulda been here. Shirley Povich shoulda been here. #nats
— Steve Repsher (@SteveRep44) September 21, 2012
When I saw Tony Williams I teared up. And then when I heard Phil Wood talking about native Washingtonians, I cried.
— Stephanie (@stephanats) September 21, 2012
Call me crazy. I feel like crying right now. I’m happy for the #Nats. #MLB
— William Ladson (@washingnats) September 21, 2012
RIP DC Baseball Playoff Drought, 1934-2012#Nats
— Half Street (@Half_Street) September 21, 2012
Ted Lerner stood outside the Nats’ clubhouse as reporters walked in, a postseason cap in his hand. “Great,” he said. “Great.”
— Adam Kilgore (@AdamKilgoreWP) September 21, 2012
Harper said he had literally no idea they had clinched until he was handed a hat and a t-shirt. That was his story & he stuck with it. #Nats
— Chase Hughes (@chasehughes) September 21, 2012
Phil Wood compared this night to when his “children were born.” #Nats #Nationals @charlie_slowes
— Emmi (@emmi1966) September 21, 2012
Really Phil?!
Soooo much bitterness from a select few up north over the Nats’ success, kind of fascinating, I get it, losing a team sucks, but come on.
— Becca H (@BeccaH_JR) September 21, 2012
Not that I begrudge true Expos fans some pain, of course, but don’t remember Mtl as a whole being that invested in them when I was up there.
— Becca H (@BeccaH_JR) September 21, 2012