Anthony Rendon knocked in Trea Turner and Adam Eaton before Justin Verlander could even get an out. But Stephen Strasburg gave up a two-run shot int eh bottom of the inning that Alex Bregman watched for far too long.
From there, the two star pitchers settled down until the 7th. Kurt Suzuki had mustered one hit all postseason before Gam2 2. His second hit of the game was launched out of the field of play for a game-leading homer. Call it the law of averages. Suzuki added some more terrific blocks behind the plate and threw out Jose Altuve at third to prevent Bregman's shot from being a three run dinger.
After Suzuki's smash, the Nats relaxed and poured it on, battling around while scoring 6. Adam Eaton hit a homer and the nation was introduced to Eaton and Howie Kendrick's celebration.
The added runs following Suzuki's homer were much needed. It allowed Dave Martinez to use Fernando Rodney, Tanner Rainey, and Javy Guerra with too much fear of a blown save. But not before Max Scherzer joined in on what had become Anibal Sanchez and Gerardo Parra's tradition of wrapping up Strasburg in a prolonged and swaying bear hug.
The Nats scored three more in the eighth and Michael A. Taylor hit a homer in the 9th. I thought Martinez could've gotten his reserves in a little earlier, but it as important for Taylor especially to get an at bat in the World Series in a low pressure situation.
The Nats won 12-3 after Guerra only gave up one run in the 9th. The Nats take a 2-0 heading home.
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