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Game 5 of the NLDS between the Chicago Cubs and Washington Nationals was one the most terrifying and ultimately great games ever if you’re not a Nationals fan. The Cubs won 9-8, but holy hell was it a nightmare to watch.
The following video doesn’t even show all the crazy shit from Game 5, but it covers most of it. Gio Gonzalez was rattled from the start, giving up a leadoff double to Jon Jay and then he threw an awful wild pitch. Fast forward to the third inning and Gonzalez threw another wild pitch that allowed a run to score. At that point the Cubs were still trailing 4-3 and somehow Max Scherzer coming in was the best thing to happen for them.
It was appointment TV, as Scherzer came in to pitch the fifth inning, facing the heart of the Cubs lineup. He got Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo, but after a Willson Contreras infield single it all went to hell for Scherzer and the Nationals.
Just SOME of the Nationals' misfortune from Game 5 of the 2017 NLDS. pic.twitter.com/fFv14eIh1J
— Justin Russo (@FlyByKnite) October 13, 2017
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Here’s how stupid that fifth inning was for the Nationals. The sequence had never happened in MLB history.
The last four Cubs have reached base on an intentional walk, a passed-ball strikeout, catcher's interference and a hit by pitch.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) October 13, 2017
None of the 2.73m half innings in our db have even had all 4 of these events. 22 w/ 3. Only 5 games had all 4.https://t.co/ntifpJIb6n
— Baseball Reference (@baseball_ref) October 13, 2017
You know what’s even crazier? Dusty Baker had Scherzer intentionally walk JASON HEYWARD! Thanks Dusty.
Anyway, the Javier Baez play and the Jayson Werth error deserve their own video.
#Cubs lead 6-4 after a dropped third strike and throwing error to 1st base! pic.twitter.com/O8IZCvwHWQ
— Aldo Soto (@AldoSoto21) October 13, 2017
Jayson Werth whiffs, #Cubs now lead 8-4! pic.twitter.com/7cgV6baBYI
— Aldo Soto (@AldoSoto21) October 13, 2017
Lovely.
Before we get to the Willson Contreras pickoff to end the eighth inning, let’s talk about Adam Lind’s at bat earlier in the same inning. So, Wade Davis walked the first two batters, wasn’t close to the strike zone and coming off the bench Lind SWUNG AT THE FIRST PITCH! He hits into a double play after Davis couldn’t throw a strike. Thank you, Adam!
Now, Jose Lobatón, oh man. You absolutely can’t get picked off at first. You can hate the rule, but it’s pretty clear. If you’re not touching the base and the tag is on you, you’re going to be called out.
José Lobatón picked off first base by Willson Contreras to end the 8th inning. #Cubs #Nats pic.twitter.com/7yRA1jJyXw
— Aldo Soto (@AldoSoto21) October 13, 2017
I still don’t know how Wade Davis got the seven outs, but he did and the Cubs are back to the NLCS vs. the Dodgers. I can’t wait for seven more brutal games against Los Angeles.
