It took until August 29th, but the Washington Nationals finally got their first walk off win. The hit came from Dylan Crews, a guy who really needed a big moment, making things even better. After the game, Crews said that this was probably his best moment since becoming a big leaguer. It is a big statement, but it is tough to disagree.
Since being the
number two overall pick, Dylan Crews’ pro career has not been as smooth as most anticipated. After being good, not great in the upper minors, Crews was rushed to the big leagues where he has struggled. It was so bad that Crews did not make the team out of camp.
Since being recalled in mid May, Crews has had some moments, but has not put it all together. For the season, the former LSU star is hitting .223 with 10 homers and a .660 OPS. However, he came up to the plate in the bottom of the 10th inning with a clean slate. The bases were loaded with two outs. It was up to Dylan Crews to end this game and finally give the Nats a walkoff.
That is exactly what the 24 year old did, ripping a low liner just past the second baseman. This was the swing that Dylan Crews desperately needed. As he got mobbed by his teammates, he smiled in a way that we have not seen him smile since he was an LSU Tiger.
For a guy who has been humbled by the baseball gods for the first time in his life at the MLB level, that had to feel so good. Crews said the gatorade shower was colder than he expected and he almost fell over from the direct hit. However, I have a feeling that none of this bothered him.
All season long, the Nats have really struggled to get that big hit late in games. For an offense that has been so explosive, this has been a weird phenomenon. Even yesterday, it felt like a lot of guys were pressing. After the Marlins erased the Nats 4-0 lead, it seemed like the Nats bats were in a state of shock like we have seen so many times this season.
After Orlando Ribalta put up a 0 in the 10th, the offense looked like they were ready to send things to the 11th. CJ Abrams struck out on 3 pitches and Abimelec Ortiz popped up the first pitch. It just looked like more of the same from this Nats offense.
However, Jose Tena and Daylen Lile both put together outstanding AB’s, which Crews made sure to point out. Both of them worked crucial walks, which set up DC3 for his big moment. Crews told me that his plan of attack was to try and get on top of Michael Petersen’s rising fastball and hit a low liner. That is exactly what he did and Crews called game.
Moments like this make it harder to give up on the number 2 pick. Even though the results have not come yet, you can see the talent. I am still not 100% sure if he puts it all together in DC, but there is a reason you give players like this a lot of chances. Hopefully this can be a catalyst for him moving forward.
This last month of play is important for a lot of Nationals players, but Crews might be at the top of the list. He needs to prove he can hit right handed pitching and show consistency at the big league level. Crews’ pedigree and flashes will give him plenty of opportunity, but he does not have forever to figure it out.
A strong finish to the season could establish Crews as an everyday starter in a still crowded Nats outfield. Before yesterday, he never had that one moment that fans could cling on to. However, that changed in a big way. When the Nats needed a hero with the bases loaded and two outs, Dylan Crews was the guy who delivered.
That was what we were supposed to get when he was drafted out of LSU. He was known for his clutch hitting and leadership. It has been a very slow burn so far, but who knows, maybe we just saw the turning point in Dylan Crews’ Washington Nationals career.
