The Washington Nationals blew it.
The Nats were ready to advance to the National League Championship Series for the first time since arriving in town 11 years ago. They matched up well against the Chicago Cubs, who would have been their NLCS opponent, and had hopes of reaching the World Series. Maybe the city's first baseball title since 1924 was possible.
And then came a 66-minute seventh inning Oct. 13 that forced the team's third first-round exit in five years. Several bad decisions during 10 minutes undermined the season.
The Los Angeles Dodgers eliminated the Nats by taking advantage of Washington's mistakes. The worst was sending Jayson Werth home, only to have him easily thrown out on Dodgers shortstop Corey Seager's relay, killing a sixth-inning rally. It wasn't even close, and it gave the Dodgers life entering the seventh trailing, 1-0.
