The players poured out of the dugout, racing to Dmitri Young who produced the game-winning hit, making their way to Kory Casto who scored the game-winning run and embracing manager Manny Acta, who recorded his first big league win.
“We only snapped a two-game losing streak, but they celebrated like we won the [division],” Acta said. “That tells me a lot about their character.”
The Nationals (1-2) battled from two five-run deficits, scoring three runs in the bottom of the ninth for a 7-6 win over visiting Florida in front of 18,835 fans.
Young’s fly-ball single to left scored Casto, who had tied the game with a single. Ronnie Belliard’s second double of the game started the rally; Robert Fick singled him home and later scored the tying run. Ryan Church hit a three-run homer in the sixth.
The bullpen bailed out starter Matt Chico, making his big league debut, by allowing no runs in five innings.
“The first two and a half games we looked like [garbage],” Fick said. “It was huge.”
Fick and Young, longtime friends, vigorously embraced on the field. They’ve helped each other through tough situations: Fick’s mother is battling cancer and Young has had drug and alcohol problems in the past.
“We keep an eye on each other,” Young said.
