Headfirst and bloodied, Jayson Werth emerges with win

Jayson Werth sat in front of his locker late last night. As the camera lights popped on, the grizzled veteran flung his long hair back, revealing a bloody dirt burn on the right side of forehead. The war wound was evidence of Werth scoring the game-winning run for the Nationals' thrilling 5-4 win.

"I don't even know what happened," Werth admitted. "I hit my head too hard or something. I need to look at the replay."

Werth blistered a tailing line drive to right-center, gashing the outfield, for a leadoff double in the 10th. Moments later, Werth took off for third when Marlins catcher J.T. Realmuto mishandled right-hander Brian Ellington's fastball. With Werth sliding in safely, he stood 90 feet away from ending the game.

After Ian Desmond's tapper back to Ellington for the first out, Michael A. Taylor was given a free pass, bringing Jose Lobaton to the plate. On a 1-0 heater, Lobaton lifted a fly ball to left, giving Christian Yelich time to measure and prepare his throw.

Werth tagged and came barreling home, leaping head first, with his left hand fully extended reaching for a sliver of the plate. His head smacked the dirt as Yelich's throw caromed away from Realmuto.

Standing on deck, Tyler Moore was shouting at Werth like a corner man pleading with his fighter to get up off the mat in the last round.

"I think T-Mo was yelling, 'Touch the plate, touch the plate,'" Werth tried to recall. "I thought I did. Who knows what happened."

Werth made it to all fours - resembling a dazed Jim Morrison searching for his microphone on stage with hair, sweat and blood flying around - and managed to crawl back to the plate to officially end the Nats' walk-off win.

"An 8 on the crash landing scale," Werth deadpanned. "I've slid into home head-first twice so far in my life. I think both times I faceplanted. The new rule's really getting me right now. I'll try feet-first next time."

Moore helped his teammate up as Werth staggered down the first base line to join the celebration with Lobaton. In between high-fives, Werth's hand repeatedly checked his forehead. The tumble was a success.

"Desi's already got the Vine of it up on the team chat - in super slow-mo," Werth joked. "I'm sure it's good."