Soccer star Krieger celebrated before series finale (Nats lose 8-7)

Growing up a baseball fan in Northern Virginia in the '90s, Ali Krieger was an Orioles fan. Given the fact there was no major league team in Washington at the time - not to mention the quirky fact her aunt grew up with and actually dated Cal Ripken Jr. way back when - this was understandable.

Once baseball returned to town in 2005, Krieger was all-in on the Nationals. And that still holds true today, even as the soccer star travels the world winning World Cups and returns home now to Orlando, where she plays professionally.

So excuse Krieger for being more than just a little excited today as she toured the clubhouse and other facilities at Nationals Park, met players and coaches and eventually took the mound to throw out the ceremonial first pitch before the series finale against the Rockies.

"I'm so excited," the 34-year-old defender said. "Obviously, I've been a D.C. sports fan my whole life. And I also brought my friends from home as well; we all grew up in Northern Virginia. I'm just thrilled to be here. I know the Nationals have supported me and the team throughout the tournament, and throughout my career here."

Fresh off a whirlwind victory tour following the United States' World Cup-winning performance in France, Krieger and teammate Ashlyn Harris got a chance to mingle with the Nationals today. She admittedly "fangirled" over meeting Davey Martinez and getting tips on throwing an effective first pitch, but the feeling was mutual.

The Nationals became huge fans of Team USA during this summer's World Cup, watching matches live in the clubhouse before games and getting emotionally invested in every key moment.

"What they've accomplished is great," Martinez said shortly before meeting Krieger and Harris. "I'm a big fan. I watched them. I'm looking forward to saying hello to them and congratulate them."

For Krieger and Co., the notion of millionaire professional athletes getting captivated by their success is especially satisfying.

"It's incredible," she said. "It's a great feeling, because the feelings are mutual. We respect each other's competitiveness. We respect each other's ability to play at the highest level and to be that competitive and to be good at what you do. I appreciate that so much, because it's not about male or female. It's just about athletes and being good at your sport. I think it's a rewarding feeling that they respect us because we're good at our sport, and we're inspiring a nation and a world."

Speaking of inspiring ... Krieger walked to the mound a few minutes before today's game, and from behind the rubber threw a strike to Yan Gomes.

Update: Max Scherzer's first start in 19 days wasn't a typical Scherzer start. He gave up three runs for the first time since May 19. He failed to complete six innings for the first time since April 20. He threw only 86 pitches but was removed for a pinch-hitter. Will be interested to hear an explanation postgame. The Nats did get him off the hook for the loss when Anthony Rendon launched a three-run homer off Jeff Hoffman in the bottom of the fifth. But then Matt Grace served up a two-run homer to Ryan McMahon in the top of the sixth. So now the Nationals are trailing again, 5-3.

Update II: Hold the phone, the Nats are back on top. They scored three runs in the bottom of the sixth. Thanks to a heads-up double-steal by Brian Dozier and Victor Robles that caught Bryan Shaw so off-guard, he never even threw to either base. Thanks to a two-run double by (you guessed it) Gerardo Parra. And thanks to a Trea Turner RBI single that brought Parra home with the go-ahead run. It's now 6-5.

Update III: Matt Adams' solo homer gave the Nats an insurance run in the seventh. The home team now leads 7-5 going into the eighth.

Update IV: The Rockies got that run right back when Daniel Murphy drove a 3-2 pitch from Tony Sipp over the right field wall. The Nats now take a 7-6 lead to the bottom of the eighth.

Update V: Fernando Rodney surrendered the lead in the top of the ninth. Ian Desmond led off with a home run, then Rodney allowed a walk Charlie Blackmon and a single to David Dahl. Murphy's grounder with one out was hit too slowly to produce a double play, and Blackmon scored to put the Rockies up 8-7.

Final update: Juan Soto walked with one out, then stole second, but got no farther. Wade Davis struck out Kurt Suzuki to end the game as the Rockies salvaged the series finale 8-7.