Walk-off Home Run lifts Nationals over Tigers

Clint Robinson #25 of the Washington Nationals celebrates with team mates a walk off home run during a baseball game against the Detroit Tigers at Nationals Park on May 9, 2016 in Washington, DC. The Nationals won 5-4.

(May 9, 2016 - Source: Mitchell Layton/Getty Images North America)

A walk-off home run in the ninth inning by PH Clint Robinson lifts the Washington Nationals (20-12) to a 5-4 win over the Detroit Tigers (14-17).

RF Bryce Harper was tossed as tempers flared moments before the home run but Clint Robinson kept his cool and hammered the high fastball over the wall in right field.

The Tigers were off to a better start than their opponents. 3B Nick Castellanos hit a two-run homer in the first inning to give Detroit an early lead. It was Castellano’s 6th long ball of the season.

The Nationals cut the deficit to one in the fourth inning. 3B Anthony Rendon drew a leadoff walk and stole second base while Bryce Harper struck out looking. With two outs Daniel Murphy singled to right center and Anthony Rendon scored Washington’s first run of the night.

2B Ian Kinsler, who scored a run on Castellano’s homer, led the fifth inning off with a single. RF J.D. Martinez followed with a two-run homer to give the Tigers a 4-1 lead.

Washington countered with a two-run homer of their own by Daniel Murphy in the sixth.

Detroit’s SP Anibal Sanchez loaded the bases in the seventh inning. CF Michael A. Taylor hit a leadoff single and reached third base on a single by SS Danny Espinosa. Up next was SP Stephen Strasburg.

During the game news broke that the Nationals and Strasburg agreed to a seven-year extension worth $175 million.

Stephen Strasburg hit a sacrifice-bunt, which would have gone foul but Anibal Sanchez thought he could tag him. Sanchez, however, couldn’t get a grip on the ball as he tried to pick it up and Strasburg safely reached first base.

With the bases loaded, LF Ben Revere hit a high flyball to right field and Michael A. Taylor scored the tying run.

This was Anibal Sanchez’ last pitch of the game. He allowed 6 hits, 3 walks and 4 earned runs while striking out 2. He has a 5.89 ERA on the season with a 1.64 WHIP.

Stephen Strasburg pitched 7 innings, surrendering 6 hits, 3 walks and 4 earned runs while fanning 11. He posts a 2.76 ERA and a 1.04 WHIP.

Daniel Murphy went 2-for-4 with 1 run, 1 HR and 3 RBI. He is batting a career-high .398 this season and has 21 runs, 5 HR and 20 RBI.