Relive "Nationals Classics": Trio of no-hitters cap off memorable holiday week

This week's games on "Nationals Classics" have a little of everything for the discerning Nationals fans. The perfect pre-Christmas gift, you might say.

You want marathons? We've got games stretching long into the night before late-inning heroics. You like history? How about a 10th straight victory that tied a franchise record. Comebacks, walk-offs, sterling individual efforts? They're all represented in some of the best Nationals action to air on MASN.

But since it's the holiday season - a time for gift giving - we decided to hold the best for last (or at least the end of the week). On Christmas Eve, you can catch all three of the no-hitters in Nationals history, one after the other.

So kick back in your recliner, make sure you have enough AAA batteries to keep the remote charged and take a break from "A Christmas Story" on an endless loop. C'mon, who wants an official Red Ryder, carbine-action, 200-shot, range model air rifle anyway? I mean, you'll shoot your eye out and not be able to watch "Nationals Classics."

Monday, Dec. 19, 9 a.m. - The 2009 season just didn't want to end. The Nats and Braves battled for 15 innings before Alberto Gonzalez drove home Elijah Dukes with the decisive run in a 2-1 victory at Turner Field on Oct. 4, 2009.

Monday, Dec. 19, 7 p.m. - Anthony Rendon hit the walk-off single in the ninth for a 1-0 Nationals triumph on Aug. 21, 2014. Washington's 10th win in a row tied a franchise record and it was the fifth time in six games during the binge that the Nats walked off the competition. We're still waiting for former manager Matt Williams, who promised to recreate his famous old-time Babe Ruth jog around the bases if the club won 10 straight, to pay off his bet.

Wednesday, Dec. 21, 12:30 a.m. - Nick Johnson's RBI triple started a six-run seventh inning that carried the Nats to a 7-5 comeback win over the Diamondbacks on April 17, 2005 and a sweep of their first home series at RFK Stadium in their inaugural season. Bonus points if you remember T.J. Tucker, the beneficiary of the offense who picked up the win by getting the last out of the Diamondbacks seventh. It was the final major league victory of Tucker's five-year career.

Wednesday, Dec. 21, 11:30 a.m. - OK, there's nothing unusual about Ryan Zimmerman coming through in the clutch. But on June 24, 2014 he waited until the 16th inning at Miller Park to play the hero. Zimmerman connected off Mike Fiers for a two-run shot, the difference in a hard-earned 4-2 win.

Friday, Dec. 23, 7 p.m. - The Nats rallied in the bottom of the ninth for three runs off Braves closer Craig Kimbrel - on a run-scoring groundout by Chad Tracy and an error off a Denard Span grounder that plated the tying and winning runs - in a 6-5 triumph on Sept. 17. 2014.

Saturday, Dec. 24, 1 p.m. - On Sept. 28, 2014, the last day of the regular season, Jordan Zimmermann pitched the first no-hitter in Nationals history in a 1-0 gem. Ian Desmond's second-inning homer stood for the only run and Steven Souza Jr.'s diving grab of Christian Yelich's drive to left-center for the game's final out produced one of the most iconic scenes in Nationals history: Zimmermann, arms outstretched on the mound in appreciation of the spectacular catch and savoring his memorable achievement.

Saturday, Dec. 24, 4 p.m - What's better than one no-hitter? How about a pair? On June 20, 2015, Max Scherzer came within a hit batter of a perfect game (pinch-hitter Jose Tabata, he of the drooping elbow, still has villain status on South Capitol Street). After plunking Tabata with two outs in the ninth, Scherzer calmly collected himself and got Josh Harrison to fly to left for the final out of his no-no, a 6-0 shellacking of the Pirates. The chocolate flowed in the postgame interview.

Saturday, Dec. 24, 6:30 p.m. - The Nationals waited more than 10 years for their first no-hitter, then had three within 370 days. Scherzer notched his second of the season on Oct. 3, 2015, fanning nine straight Mets at one point in a 2-0 victory in the nightcap of a doubleheader on the season's penultimate day. The offense came from a Dan Uggla home run and a Wilson Ramos sacrifice fly.