WASHINGTON, D.C. — Adam LaRoche hit his first walk-off home run of his career in the 11th inning last night, leading the Washington Nationals past the Arizona Diamondbacks and extending a season long win streak to seven games. It was the third consecutive game they won in their final at-bat, the last two in extra innings.

The Nats had pulled ahead with two runs in the eighth, but in what may be described as a tragedy of dreams come true, Tyler Clippard came out for the save in the ninth and gave up a booming homer to Didi Gregarious off the second deck in right field to tie the game.

Jordan Zimmerman pitched 7+ yielding 3 runs, two coming in the 8th off the Gregorius homer. Vidal Nuno gave up two runs for Arizona over 7 innings.

My attendance at the game was a surprise — my former colleague Mike Shearer was in town with an extra ticket and invited me to join him. Thanks Mike!

Looking back, this was at least the walkoff I have attended. I have seen two Ryan Zimmmerman walkoffs (on July 4, 2006 and Nationals Park Opening Night), Adam Dunn (in his penultimate Nats game), Josh Willingham with a 10th inning shot against the cowardly, subsidized Baltimore Orioles and now Adam LaRoche.

I’m so old, I remember when walkoff exclusively meant a game-ending home run!