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It took the full extent of the series, but the Washington Nationals have finally come out on top! They defeated the Houston Astros in Game 7, 6-2.

With a marquee pitching matchup, the likes of which we haven’t seen in a Game 7 since Curt Schilling and Roger Clemens took the mound in 2001, Cy Young winners Max Scherzer and Zack Greinke proved to be as advertised.

The Astros got to Scherzer first as Yuli Gurriel took him deep into the Crawford boxes in left. After that one mistake, Mad Max found his groove and pushed onward.

For a guy who couldn’t get dressed without help from his wife a few days ago, Scherzer looked to be his normal elite self.

Zack Greinke showed us, even at the age of 36 and appearing in his first World Series of his career, exactly why he’s one of the greatest pitchers of this day and age. Holding the National bats at bay, Greinke allowed only one hit over his first 6.1 innings. Greinke was dealing, that was for sure.

Scherzer kept cruising with the occasional bump in the road until the 5th inning when Carlos Correa finally woke up. The former Rookie of the Year laced a single up the third base line, that glanced off the glove of Anthony Rendon. Yuli Gurriel would come around from second to score, giving the Astros a 2-0 lead and chasing Scherzer from the game.

After Greinke shut down the Nats in the top of the 6th, Davey Martinez brought in lefty Patrick Corbin, who gave up a single to Jake Marisnick, the first batter he faced. Corbin then struck out George Springer and got Jose Altuve to ground into a double-play.

Greinke came out to start the 7th, but stumbled after getting Adam Eaton to ground out. The following hitter, Anthony Rendon, would take Greinke deep putting the Nats on the board. After walking Juan Soto, Greinke would be lifted for Will Harris.

But Howie Kendrick has other plans.

Howie Kendricks magical run continues as he puts the #Nationals nine outs away from a championship pic.twitter.com/ffGrM6rkXi — Jamie Gatlin (@JamieGatlin1217) October 31, 2019

Kendrick took Harris deep off the foul pole, to give the Nationals their first lead of the night. Not one to let up, Howie then helped double the Nationals lead in the 8th, with an infield single off Roberto Osuna, chasing him from the game.

Howie Kendrick did it again. What an incredible postseason for the veteran journeyman.

Corbin faced the bottom of the Houston lineup in the 8th, striking out two and setting Astros down 1-2-3. At this point, he’s thrown 44 pitches through 3 innings of relief. The Astros would bring the top of the order to the plate in the bottom of the 9th. Dave Martinez had a decision to make. Keep Corbin on the mound for the 9th or bring in Daniel Hudson, who stood ready in the pen.

Before we could get there, Joe Smith loaded the bases with one out in the top of the 9th to bring Adam Eaton to the plate and chase himself out of the game.

Eaton would not disappoint, rocketing a single to center and bringing in two, padding the Nationals already sizable lead.

Congratulations to the Washington Nationals! That’s how you #STAYINTHEFIGHT!