Mike Oz,Yahoo Sports•October 1, 2019

Washington D.C., this is what October elation feels like.

The Washington Nationals pulled off an unbelievable eighth-inning comeback to down the Milwaukee Brewers in the NL wild-card game Tuesday night at Nationals Park. The usually potent Brewers bullpen — specifically their ace reliever Josh Hader — faltered at the worst possible time, as the Nats used a hit by pitch, bloop single and walk to overcome a 3-1 lead.

It was young star Juan Soto, still just 20 years old, who delivered the decisive blow. Final score, 4-3 Nationals. A date against the Los Angeles Dodgers now awaits in the National League Division Series.

After Michael A. Taylor was hit, Ryan Zimmerman came up as a pinch hitter and looped a single into centerfield. Nats star Anthony Rendon came up with two outs and Hader’s pitch count climbing. Rendon worked a walk, which brought Soto up with the bases loaded and a Nats lead one swing away.

Soto delivered with a single into right field that was misplayed by Trent Grisham that allowed the Nationals to score three runs and take a lead.

The Nats had seemed to be headed for another October disappointment after ace Max Scherzer gave up three runs in the first two innings — including homers to Yasmani Grandal and Eric Thames. Scherzer settled down, but the Nats’ offense had a tough time cracking the Brewers bullpen.

But baseball once again proves there’s nothing a well-timed rally can’t overcome.