We're Going Streaking!

Don't look now, but the Nats aren't in 5th place in the NL East (though only because of a tie with the Fish). Still a wonderful development that we here at Capitol Baseball are thrilled with. This wonderful 5 game winning streak (the Nats longest since 2009) has gotten us all nostalgic about past Nats winning streaks. So let's take a quick look at the past few streaks that have gone 5 games or more.

September 28 - October 4th, 2009 (7 Games)

The Nats were well on the way to one of the worst seasons in modern history, and with 7 games to go in the season they held a dreadful 52-103 record. Facing the Mets for three games, one expected the Nats to be able to win at least 1 game - but they ended up taking all three. Highlights included four 1-run wins, as well as Ross Detwiler's first career win.

Your winning pitchers vs the Mets? Detwiler, Clippard, Villone.

After this the Nats went to Atlanta to face the downtrodden Braves, who had been eliminated from Playoff contention hours before the first pitch of game one. The Nats were able to capitalize, taking all four games from the Braves - the last two in 11 and 15 innings, respectively.

Your winning pitchers vs the Braves? Clippard, Hernandez, Segovia (!), and Kensing (!!)

And even better. Your starting lineup from the last game of the season/streak?
Maxwell - 8
Desmond - 6
Orr - 5
Dukes - 9
Morse - 3
Bard - 2
Gonzalez - 4
Padilla - 7
Martin - 1

Wow. Jorge Padilla, Josh Bard, Pete Orr (hitting 3rd no less!). This is a smorgasboard of Former Nats Greats.

August 2 - 8, 2009. (8 Games)

Defining the 2009 season, the Nats had some crazy streaks both good and bad. This one is definitely the one shining moment from that season. The Nats were able to win 8 straight against the Pirates, Fish, and D'Backs. Let's check out some of the highlights.

The first two games were against the Pirates, and it should be noted that the Nats came into the game with a 32-72 record. Both of the wins were in "come from behind" fashion, lead by solid bullpen action and hot hitting Josh Willingham. The two wins, predictably, came from the bullpen; Clippard and Burnett.

Always being the Marlin's punching bag, the Nats were able to sweep them in the middle of their streak.
-The first game was another comebacker, with Adam Dunn homering in the 8th to give the Nats a 2-run lead.
-In the second game of the series, the Nats held the lead, barely; getting John Lannan the win thanks to an XBH parade of doubles, triples, and Homers (oh my!).
-Game three was probably the most impressive, as the Nats came back from a 6-run deficit to win the game 12-8. The pitching decisions? Sosa with the Win. Luis Ayala with the Loss. Interesting...

Next up was the D'Backs, who the Nats have had some success against in the recent past.
- Game one was a Garrett Mock win, in which he out-dueled Dan Haren and the Nats came from behind to win yet again.
- JD Martin's first major league win, lead by Elijah Dukes' three RBIs.

My favorite stat about these streaks is that Mike MacDougal picked up 4 of his 20 saves on the first streak, and 5 of the 20 on the second streak. Just brilliant.

There you have it, the Nats most recent winning streaks 5 games or more.

Do you have any memories of these great streaks? Does the title of this post make you want to watch Old School? Do you think that the Nats are going to be able to match/beat these streaks this week??