The Washington Nationals won a 10th consecutive game Thursday, matching the franchise record for longest winning streak, per ESPN Stats & Info.
As has become the custom during their recent run, the Nationals won Thursday’s game in dramatic fashion, downing the Arizona Diamondbacks 1-0 on a walk-off error by Arizona third baseman Jordan Pacheco in the ninth inning. The walk-off victory was Washington’s fifth in a span of six games, something no team has done since the Houston Astros in 1986, according to ESPN Stats & Info.
Dating back to their time in Montreal, the Nationals/Expos have compiled five winning streaks of exactly 10 games, most recently—besides the current one—from June 2-12, 2005, per MLB.com. Each of the preceding four streaks ended at exactly 10 games, as the franchise has never put together an 11-game run in its 46-year history.
Among active major league franchises, only the Nationals/Expos and Miami Marlins have failed to compile a winning streak longer than 10 games. The Marlins have won nine in a row on four separate occasions but have yet to hit the 10-game mark in their 22-year history.
The Nationals head into Friday evening’s game against the San Francisco Giants favored to take sole possession of the franchise record for longest winning streak. Playing at home for a seventh consecutive game, the Nationals will toss a red-hot Doug Fister against Giants right-hander Tim Hudson.
Fister, who owns a 12-3 record and 2.20 ERA this season, has not given up more than two runs in a start since July 2, with the streak spanning seven outings. He’s held his opponent to three earned runs or fewer in 16 of his 18 starts this year.
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