Ceci Ferrara
September 29, 2014
Sports Writer
Sports Insider
The Nationals had already won the division and secured a playoff berth before they took the field Sunday afternoon against the Marlins. With nothing to lose and the post-season on everyone’s mind, fans that came out to support the Nats were not expecting much more than to support the home team. Instead, they were provided with a thrilling end to an already spectacular regular season.
With two out in the bottom of the ninth, Jordan Zimmermann was one out away from tossing a no-hitter when Marlins outfielder Christian Yelich came to the plate. After working the pitch count to 2-1, Yelich connected with the ball. Zimmermann slumped his shoulders as he watched the ball fly into the outfield for what looked like a hit.
What he didn’t realize was that a young rookie outfielder, Steve Souza Jr., was racing for the ball.
“I didn’t really know what happened,” Zimmermann said. “He kind of rolled on the ball and I didn’t really know what happened. Then he lifted his glove up, so I knew that he had it.” After the catch, the stadium erupted – with players and fans alike realizing they had just witnessed history. Though just a rookie Souza knew what was at stake, and was not going to let history be ruined that easily.
“I would have broken my neck and laid on the ground if I had to catch that ball for him,” he said. Zimmermann appreciated his effort on what is being dubbed a miraculous catch to save the game, which he knows would have been a double otherwise.
“No-doubt double,” he said. “And he comes out of nowhere and makes that catch, so I guess whatever he wants, he can have. I’ll buy him anything.”
Zimmermann (14-5) is the first pitcher in Nationals history to throw a no-hitter. The Nats could not have asked for a better way to end the season. They won 9 of their final 11 games, including three shutouts. They hope to carry that momentum in the post-season, which for them will start on Friday. They will play the victor of the NL Wild Card Game – either the Pittsburgh Pirates or the San Francisco Giants.
PGA Tour
For the eighth time in 10 tries, Europe has once again won the Ryder Cup.
They hoisted the gold trophy on Sunday, after winning the tournament 16 1/2 matches to 11 1/2 over the U.S. The American team has not won since 2008. Before that, their most recent victory was 1999.
“The bottom line is they kicked our boots,” U.S. Captain Tom Watson said. “They were better players this week.”
The European players hard, and in many cases rallied from behind for a victory. Graeme McDowell came back from three strokes behind, to win his match against Jordan Spieth on the 17th hole, while Justine Rose went undefeated all week at 3-0-2. Things began to swing heavily in favor of Europe when Rory McIlroy had a crushing win over the United States’ Rickie Fowler, for the first points of the closing singles round on Sunday. All of this set the stage for Jamie Donaldson, a 38-year old Welsh golfer who was playing in his first Ryder Cup.
He clinched the win for Europe when he went ahead by 4 shots with four holes to go against Keegan Bradley, and then hit a near birdie on hole No. 15. His shot traveled 146 yards, and dropped less than two feet away from the hole.
“I didn’t execute the plan,” Europe’s team captain Paul McGinley said afterwards, with his team surrounding the trophy. “All these guys sitting at the table did. I know how difficult it is to play in a Ryder Cup. I know when your heart is jumping out of your chest how incredibly excited and nervous you are. But we relish this challenge. We did it with a smile on our face, which is so important. And we did everybody proud.”
While the European golfers celebrate their third consecutive Ryder Cup victory, the Americans will return to the U.S. and begin to work towards a winning method–and team–for 2016.
