Kyle Finnegan had a heroic effort for the Washington Nationals

Kyle Finnegan had the best performance of his career in an awesome three inning outing

When Kyle Finnegan came in, his job was not to get the save, but to make sure the game stayed tied. After the Nats tied the game in the top of the 9th, it was Finnegan’s job to make sure the game went into extra innings.

It was inauspicious start for the Nationals closer, who walked Christian Moore to start his outing. However, Finnegan would bounce back getting a fly out and ground out. Drew Millas, who had an impressive game in his first start of the season would deliver the third out of the inning, throwing out Moore on the bases.

However, Finnegan’s greatest challenge would come in the next frame. The Nationals did nothing in the top of the 10th, which left the game hanging by a thread. With the ghost runner on second, all the Angels needed to do was get that guy home to win.

However, Finnegan was not going to let that happen. He has not gotten a ton of chances to pitch this month because of how bad the team has been. The Nationals closer has been sitting in the bullpen watching on as his teammates blow games. This happened just last night. It must be a helpless feeling watching on as you never get a chance to do your job.

However, Finnegan had a chance to do his job now and he was not about to let his boys down. Interestingly, Luis Rengifo decided not to bunt the man over to third base. Instead, he swung the bat and flew out to left field.

After an intentional walk, Finnegan knew he needed a ground ball or strikeout here. He got the strikeout, as Taylor Ward inexplicably stared at three pitches well inside the strike zone. Now Finnegan had to get the red hot power threat Jo Adell to finish off the inning. He got his ground ball and gave the Nats new life heading into the 11th.

After the Nationals got three runs on the board in the 11th, Miguel Cairo, who replaced the ejected Davey Martinez had a choice to make. He had used all his best bullpen options, would he let Finnegan go a third inning. Finnegan was very well rested and his pitch count was only at 19.

Cairo made the bold but correct decision to ride with his best horse and let Finnegan throw a third inning. Finnegan has never gotten more than 6 outs, but this was the time to do it.

Cairo’s bold move paid off, as Finnegan looked as sharp as ever in his third inning. It almost made me think that Finnegan might be able to make a move to the rotation like a Clay Holmes did. I am half joking, but he looked great. He got a strikeout and two ground balls to end the ball game.

Given the circumstances, this is the best performance of Finnegan’s career. It gave the Nats a much needed series win and probably boosted his trade value as well. He showed that he can get more than three outs when needed and is comfortable pitching in uncomfortable situations. With so much uncertainty in this bullpen and on this team, it is nice to know that Kyle Finnegan will get the job done more often than not.