'The boys wanted it tonight': Call's walk-off turns 10th-inning tides for Nats

WASHINGTON -- The Nationals found themselves in extra innings for the second day in a row. But after manager Dave Martinez noted following Thursday's loss to the Giants, “[we] played in sloppy conditions and we got sloppy the last two innings,” the Nats turned things around on Friday night for a 3-2 walk-off win in 10 innings against the Angels.

“The boys wanted it tonight, you could tell,” said Martinez. “They didn’t want another extra innings and not win. They wanted to celebrate, and it was good for them.”

In a 2-2 tie, Kyle Finnegan pitched clutch ninth and 10th innings the day after he gave up three runs (two earned) in two-thirds of a frame. Despite having thrown 28 pitches on Thursday, Finnegan was determined to pitch not one but two innings on Friday after retiring the side in the ninth.

“He actually came to me and said he wanted to go back out,” Martinez said. “... He went out there and got big outs for us.”

In the top of the 10th, utility veteran Ildemaro Vargas made back-to-back defensive plays at third base to record two quick outs. This, after being charged with a missed catch error in the 10th on Thursday. Vargas held automatic runner Zach Neto at second on a Logan O’Hoppe grounder, and then he dashed in to barehand a Kevin Pillar chopper for the second out.

“What happened yesterday, you never see that out of him. He’s about as sure as it gets,” said Finnegan. “I think that’s how we all felt today -- yesterday was kind of, don’t really know what that was. That’s not who we are as a team. We came out inspired today, and Vargy proved that he’s an elite defender. He saved my butt out there today.”

Adding to the drama of the extra innings, Finnegan faced former National Anthony Rendon with runners on first and third. Finnegan worked a full count and bested Rendon with a swinging strike on a 96.1 mph fastball. This time, he completed two scoreless innings on 29 pitches (18 strikes).

“He wants the ball, he wants to win,” Martinez said of the All-Star closer. “... Whenever we get to that ninth inning, 10th inning, whatever it is, he’s the guy. I love having him out there. I know that he’s going to give me everything he’s got.”

The Nationals began the bottom of the 10th with the speedy Jacob Young as the automatic runner on second base. Young advanced to third base on a sacrifice bunt by Nasim Nuñez, who started in place of CJ Abrams (back spasms), against left-hander Matt Moore. Nuñez exited the game because of leg cramps experienced while running to first base.

Alex Call was ready when the Angels made a pitching change for right-hander Ben Joyce. He was familiar with the hard-throwing reliever from watching him play at Tennessee, and he “felt comfortable, actually” in the matchup. In a full count, Call made contact on a low 99.1 mph fastball and stayed hot in his recent stint with the Nats by driving in Young with a line drive past second baseman Luis Guillorme. Call is batting .459 in 11 games since being recalled from Triple-A Rochester.

“It looked like it was going right in his glove, so I was kind of deflated because I hit it hard,” Call said. “Then it just happened fast. I saw the ball just kind of floating, and I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, he didn’t catch it. Time to have some fun.’”

The Nationals clinched their 30th comeback win of the season and improved to 4-8 in extra innings.

“It’s part of owning the moment,” Call said. “You live for that, and you’re ready for it. … It’s a great pitch, and I’m just glad I could hit it hard and get it done.”