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Friday 11 OctOber 2019
Kendrick slam in 10th lifts Nats over Dodgers 7-3, into NLCS

By BETH HARRIS postseason," Kershaw said.
AP Sports Writer The left-hander had re-
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Howie placed Buehler with two
Kendrick and the Wash- on and two outs in the sev-
ington Nationals got down enth, and struck out Eaton
again but were never out on three pitches. Roberts
— and they finally ended didn't second-hesitate to
their streak of playoff series stay with Kershaw in the
futility in grand fashion. eighth.
Kendrick hit a tiebreaking "He's probably the best
grand slam in the 10th in- pitcher of our generation,"
ning and the Nationals, Roberts said. "It just didn't
boosted by a lightning work out. There's always
rally against Clayton Ker- going to be second-guess-
shaw, beat the Los Angeles ing. I'll take my chances
Dodgers 7-3 Wednesday any day on Clayton."
night in Game 5. They ad- Washington's Stephen
vanced to the NL Champi- Strasburg fell behind 2-0
onship Series starting Friday after eight pitches. Joc
at St. Louis. Pederson doubled on a
"I was hoping for any mo- drive that went through an
ment," said Kendrick, a opening in the left-field wall
36-year-old veteran who — the crowd saw it land in
was hitless in his first four at- the seats and thought it
bats. was a home run — but he
In their first season since star was awarded the double
slugger Bryce Harper left as after a video review. Max
a free agent, the Nation- Muncy, who had been 0 for
als became the first team 12 against Strasburg, drove
in major league history to a fastball over the center-
rally from three or more runs field wall.
down twice in elimination Kiké Hernández homered
games during the same on Strasburg's second pitch
postseason. of the second inning, an-
"It's not just one player, it's a other fastball, for a 3-0 lead.
team," left fielder Juan Soto Strasburg gave up three
said. runs and six hits in six in-
The wild-card Nation- Washington Nationals' Howie Kendrick watches his grand slam against the Los Angeles Dodgers nings, struck out seven and
als won a playoff series during the 10th inning in Game 5 of a baseball National League Division Series on Wednesday, walked one.
for the first time since the Oct. 9, 2019, in Los Angeles. Buehler allowed one run
team moved to Wash- Associated Press and four hits in 6 2/3 innings
ington ahead of the 2005 before Kershaw came in.
season, and the franchise Kershaw, the longest home who played for the Dodg- perfect 10th for Washing- There was a scary moment
reached the NLCS for the run of the 20-year-old's big ers and Los Angeles Angels. ton, with center fielder Mi- when Buehler hit Kurt Suzu-
second time in 51 seasons. league career. "We never gave up. The chael A. Taylor making a ki on the left wrist and the
The Nationals overcame Adam Eaton walked city had faith in us. The fans diving catch on Justin Turn- ball shot up and knocked
a 19-31 start, finished 93- against Joe Kelly lead- had faith in us. We believed er for the final out. off his helmet as the ball-
69 and then rallied from a ing off the 10th, Rendon in ourselves, everybody The Nationals/Montreal Ex- park went silent. Suzuki fell
3-1, eighth-inning deficit to doubled on a drive that came through for us." pos franchise won a post- to the ground, grabbing his
beat Milwaukee 4-3 in the lodged in the left-field wall Dodgers fans started exit- season series for only the face. He walked off his un-
NL wild-card game. and Soto was intentionally ing as the bases emptied, second time, the first since der his own power and was
Then they bounced back walked. realizing their team's streak the Expos beat Philadel- replaced by Yan Gomes,
from down 2-1 in the series Kendrick was 4 for 19 with of NLCS appearances phia in a 1981 Division Series who moved behind the
against the Dodgers, who one RBI in the series and would not reach four. caused by the midseason plate in the bottom half.
set a team record with 106 had made a pair of errors "I'm looking in the crowd," players' strike only to lose to WORLD SERIES
regular-season wins. at first base in the Game 1 Rendon said. "I'm enjoying the Dodgers in the NLCS. The Series will start in the
"Oh, man, keep fighting," loss. He fouled off a pitch it." "I'm really excited for the American League ball-
Anthony Rendon said. "I and then hit a 97 mph fast- The seven-time defending boys in that clubhouse that park because all the Astros
think that's the story of may- ball over the wall in dead NL West champion Dodg- fought all year," Nationals (107), Yankees (103) and
be this organization." center for his second ca- ers remain without a World manager Dave Martinez Rays (96) all finished with
Rendon and Soto homered reer slam. The other was a Series title since 1988. said. more wins than the Nation-
on consecutive pitches game-ending, 11th-inning "Disappointing is probably Kershaw sat on the bench als or Cardinals (91).
to overcome a 3-1 defi- drive against San Francisco an understatement," man- after the home runs, look- SLAMMING
cit in the eighth against in August 2017. Cody Bell- ager Dave Roberts said. ing forlorn, bowing his head Nelson Cruz hit the only pre-
Kershaw, a three-time Cy inger chased the ball all the Daniel Hudson got the win, and holding it in his hands. vious extra-inning postsea-
Young Award winner. Soto way to the wall, putting his retiring Will Smith on a drive He has a 4.43 ERA in 32 son slam, for Texas against
had started the comeback arms up against the fence to the right field warning postseason appearances, Detroit in Game 2 of the
from a 3-0 hole with an RBI as he ran out of room. track with one on and one nearly double his superb 2011 ALCS.
single in the sixth off starter "It was electric. Probably out in the ninth, then get- 2.44 ERA over a dozen reg- UP NEXT
Walker Buehler and then hit the best moment of my ting Chris Taylor on a liner ular seasons. RHP Aníbal Sánchez (11-8)
a 449-foot drive halfway up career," said Kendrick, a to center. "Everything people say is is the most likely candidate
the right-field pavilion off 14-year big league veteran Sean Doolittle pitched a true right now about the to start the NLCS opener.q