Well this didn't go as planned.
After
Tyler Clippard and
Drew Storen each struggled in relief and contributed to the
Nationals blowing a 4-1 lead,
Craig Stammen surrendered a two-run homer to Ramiro Pena in the top of the 10th, giving the Braves a 6-4 lead.
In 327 career at-bats, this was just Pena's third home run.
And boy, was it a big one.
The ball landed towards the back of the Nationals' bullpen, and a handful of Braves fans sprinkled throughout the stands exploded in cheers.
The Nats will now have to face Atlanta closer Craig Kimbrel, he of the 116 strikeouts in 62 2/3 innings last season, in the bottom of the 10th, trailing by two.
Update: Kimbrel set down
Jayson Werth,
Bryce Harper and
Ryan Zimmerman in order, and the Braves finish off a 6-4 win over the Nats in 10 innings.
The bullpen allowed five runs in three innings of work, while the Nats' bats managed just two hits after the second inning.
This one will sting a little bit.