Nationals @ Padres, Game 2

[mitlen]

I'm gonna call it a day 'cause I have a tee time.   Finish it with Charlie and Dave but in the meantime   ...

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[skippy1999]

I'm gonna call it 'cause I have a tee time.

I was just thinking that but I have no tee time, they're opening a new farmer's market in my little town and I am super psyched for it so night all. 

[Jordanz Meatballz]

AJ Cole getting people out, good sign.

[pazzo83]

1 hit in 3 scoreless.  Nice.

[Lintyfresh85]

Espinosa got a cannon.

Congrats to AJ on getting the save.

[pazzo83]

Best played game of the year.  Excellent at bats.  Great fielding.  Tremendous pitching.  DC needed this tonight.

[RJ2kWJ]

 

[Rich-L]

Helluva win! Wow pitching, hitting, defense... THe whole deal, 0.5 games back... Could be another fun summer at Nats Park!

[vernon337]

Padres announcers worried that they will burn out the bullpen in this game.

Curious change since '50s - 70s - late '80s baseball. Teams now depend on a six inning "quality start" and three on-inning guys. Any bumps and the relief-pitching gets wiped out. In the '50s, a team might have a dedicated relief pitcher who might go two innings, plus several pitchers who both started and relieved. See Tex Clevenger, Nats pitcher who started 78 games in 1959 and appeared in 50 games. One of the starts was the 9 - 0 complete game that broke the Nats' 19 game losing streak. Started eleven games in 1960.

In 1934, Carl Hubbell led the NL in complete games ... and saves.

[WashingtonWizards23]

Why is cole credited with a save?

[Clever]

Why is cole credited with a save?

He gets one if he finishes the last 3 innings or more, regardless of the margin of victory, I believe.

[Natsinpwc]

He gets one if he finishes the last 3 innings or more, regardless of the margin of victory, I believe.

Strange rule.

[skippy1999]

He gets one if he finishes the last 3 innings or more, regardless of the margin of victory, I believe.

I did not know that, learn something new every day

[PC]

Comparative dates on which the Nationals notched their 20th win, each season:

2013 - 10th May (35th match of season)
2012 - 11th May (32nd match)
2014 - 12th May (38th match)
2010 - 13th May (35th match)
2015 - 15th May (37th match)
2005 - 15th May (37th match)
2011 - 16th May (41st match)
2008 - 19th May (46th match)
2007 - 25th May (49th match)
2006 - 26th May (49th match)
2009 - 19th June (66th match)