Well, Washington Really Hated Atlanta Today.
By John Buhler
May 9, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals right fielder Bryce Harper (34) celebrates with his teammates after hitting a two run walk off home run off Atlanta Braves relief pitcher Cody Martin (57) (not pictured( at Nationals Park. Washington Nationals defeat Atlanta Braves 8-6. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Well, Washington really hated Atlanta today. Bryce Harper hit ANOTHER home run, his sixth in three days, as the Braves lose 8-6 to the Nationals in walkoff fashion. Of course it was Bryce Harper who delivered the knock-out punch at Nationals Park. Like his ego needs to be any bigger. It’s already the size of the sun. The only way today could be any worse was if Dan Uggla hit for the cycle, right Atlanta?
Of course not. This is Atlanta! The Hawks drop Game 3 to the Wizards in the Verizon Center on a last second Paul Pierce banked shot. The Truth just HAD to steal Mike Muscala’s thunder with Moose’s clutch three with 14 seconds remaining. Like Paul Pierce needed another game winning shot. I wonder what RGIII and Alex Ovechkin are going to do tonight to make things even worse in Atlanta right now.
Atlanta was lethargic in the first part of both games. Julio Teheran was throwing batting practice to the Nats allowing 10+ hits and 6 earned runs. When I found out about Paul Millsap coming down with the flu this morning, I was thinking like a Chicagoan: Paul Millsap Flu Game? No, the Atlanta Hawks played drowsy in the entire first half. When Nene is the best player on the court, something’s wrong.
While I would have loved to give y’all a decent recap for both games, I’m afraid that like Spock in the Star Trek Movie: I’m emotionally compromised. Yes, I’m proud of how the role players for both the Braves and Hawks carried their teams to the brink of winning this evening. But to go through two losses of that heartbreaking magnitude, I’m surprised I’m not rolling on the floor in the fetal position. Combined these two losses feel just as bad as the 2012 SEC Championship Game.
Okay, maybe it’s not that bad. Maybe 2012 NFC Championship Game or the 2012 Infield Fly Rule Game or the Brooks Conrad Game of 2010 bad. Believe or not the sun will rise tomorrow, Atlanta. I’m watching Iron Mike Conley and the Grit N’ Grind Grizzlies take on the Goliath Golden State Warriors. Just roll with me on this ATL: I think if we cheer really hard for Memphis tonight, good karma is bound to fall in Atlanta’s direction soon. Or DC can continue to summon the poltergeist of William Tecumseh Sherman and burn our city’s dream to the ground.
At the end of the day, both the Hawks and the Braves will play again in the next 48 hours. Hurry to Chick-Fil-A y’all before it closes in an hour and a half because tomorrow’s Sunday and we all know what that means. If you can’t make it to Truett’s in time, do this: go to WaHO, get some hashbrowns scattered, smothered and covered. Wash it down with a nice tall Coke. We all need comfort food tonight.