Nationals Fireworks Fail Redux

(Photo of post-Nationals Fireworks Fail Redux on TV by Nationals Enquirer Staff)

"We've got to win a little more for [the fireworks operators] to get some practice."
(Josh Bard, via Washington Post, 7/5/2009)

With apologies to Dan Steinberg, who has lovingly documented the 2009 Nationals Fail Series in all its gory glory, we feel obligated to capture the latest in the series: Nationals Fireworks Fail Redux. As you remember, Dan reported on the original Nationals Fireworks Fail last month; yesterday, they nearly* took it up a level.

In the 9th inning, leading 5-3 with two outs in the 9th and Chipper Jones at the plate facing Mike MacDougal and a 3-2 count, Jones fouled off the next pitch. Setting off: Fireworks! Momentarily. Seems someone on the Nationals pyrotechnics team has an itchy trigger finger. Jones walked on the next pitch. In the photo above, you can see the post-Fireworks smoke courtesy of MASN. Here's how Chico Harlan of the Washington Post saw it:

Washington tempted an agonizing ending. Closer Mike MacDougal gave up a single to Prado, then faced Jones, the potential tying run. With the count 3-2, Jones fouled off a fastball.

Cued for a victory, a few fireworks shot up from right field.

Bang, zoom, oops.

No harm done, though: a Curly W in the book a few pitches later. Bang, zoom, etc. 

*We qualified the above with "nearly" because the Nats pulled out the win. If MacDougal had blown it in the 9th like he looked hell-bent on doing, this would have taken Nationals Fail to an entirely new level. Keep in mind, there are still 83 games to go.

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Comments

[Simon Oliver Lockwood]

Actually there wasn't a 'Bang, Zoom' after the final out. The magazine was apparently empty and there wasn't any fireworks once the final out was made.