[Nick Soulis]

Series #176



1980 Montreal Expos
Record: 92-70
Finish: 2nd in NL East
Manager: Dick Williams
Ball Park: Olympic Stadium
WAR Leader: Andre Dawson (6.9)
Franchise Record: 3-2
1980 Season Record: 3-1
Hall of Famers: (3)
https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/MON/1980.shtml

2009 Washington Nationals
Record: 59-103
Finish: 5th in NL East
Manager: Manny Acta
Ball Park: Nationals Park
WAR Leader: Ryan Zimmerman (7.3)
Franchise Record: 0-4
2009 Season Record: 2-2
Hall of Famers: (0)
https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/WSN/2009.shtml
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Expos Fall Flat
Lowly Nationals Step Up Big To Eliminate Montreal



Game 1
At Olympic Stadium
2009 Washington Nationals 0
1980 Montreal Expos 1
WP: B. Gullickson (1-0) LP: J. Zimmerman (0-1) S: W. Fryman (1)
HR: None
POG: Bill Gullickson (8.1 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 5 K, 109 P)
1980 Expos Lead Series 1-0

In the opening game of a best-of-seven Field of Dreams series, the 1980 Montreal Expos edged the 2009 Washington Nationals in a 1-0 nail-biter at Olympic Stadium. Bill Gullickson was spectacular, holding the Nationals to just two hits over 8.1 scoreless innings while striking out five to earn Player of the Game honors. The only run came in the seventh inning when pinch-hitter Rowland Office delivered a clutch two-out RBI single to score Warren Cromartie, who had doubled to lead off the frame. Washington’s Jordan Zimmermann was also impressive, allowing just four hits and one run across eight innings, but his strong performance wasn’t enough to counter Montreal’s stellar pitching. Woody Fryman sealed the win with a perfect save, giving the Expos a 1-0 series lead as the teams prepare for Game 2.

Game 2
At Olympic Stadium
2009 Washington Nationals 4
1980 Montreal Expos 1
WP: G. Mock (1-0) LP: S. Rogers (0-1)
HR: J. Bard (1), W. Cromartie (1)
POG: Garrett Mock (7 IP, 5 H, 0 ER, 3 BB, 3 K, 98 P)
Series Tied 1-1

In Game 2 of the Field of Dreams series, the 2009 Washington Nationals bounced back to even the series with a 4-1 victory over the 1980 Montreal Expos at Olympic Stadium. Garrett Mock dominated on the mound, delivering seven innings of shutout baseball while scattering five hits and striking out three. Offensively, Josh Bard set the tone with a solo home run in the second inning, and Willie Harris contributed a two-RBI performance, including a clutch two-out hit. The Expos struggled to capitalize on their opportunities, leaving six runners on base, with their lone highlight being Warren Cromartie's solo homer in the ninth. The Nationals' defense was stellar, turning three double plays to stifle Montreal rallies. With the series now tied 1-1, the action shifts to Nationals Park for Game 3 on October 4.

Game 3
At Nationals Park
1980 Montreal Expos 2
2009 Washington Nationals 9
WP: R. Detwiler (1-0) LP: D. Palmer (0-1)
HR: A. Dunn (1), P. Orr (1)
POG: Ross Detwiler (9 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 4 BB, 2 K, 109 P)
2009 Nationals Lead Series 2-1

The 2009 Washington Nationals took control of their best-of-seven Field of Dreams series against the 1980 Montreal Expos with a commanding 9-2 victory in Game 3 at Nationals Park. Ross Detwiler was the star of the night, delivering a complete-game gem, allowing just four hits and two runs while striking out two. The Nationals' bats erupted in the second inning, highlighted by Adam Dunn’s two-run homer and Cristian Guzman’s clutch two-out single that drove in two more. Ryan Zimmerman and Josh Bard added to the offensive onslaught with key hits, while Pete Orr provided a solo shot in the fifth. Despite Ron LeFlore’s standout performance for Montreal with a double and a triple, the Expos couldn’t muster sustained offense against Detwiler’s precision. With the win, Washington takes a 2-1 lead in the series as they prepare for Game 4 under the bright lights of Nationals Park.

Game 4
At Nationals Park
1980 Montreal Expos 5
2009 Washington Nationals 6 (11 inn)
WP: J. Martin (1-0) LP: F. Norman (0-1)
HR: C. Speier (1), E. Dukes (1), R. Zimmerman (1)
POG: Elijah Dukes (2-4, HR, 3 RBI, R)
2009 Nationals Lead Series 3-1

In a thrilling extra-inning showdown at the Field of Dreams, the 2009 Washington Nationals edged the 1980 Montreal Expos 6-5 in 11 innings to take a commanding 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series. Elijah Dukes set the tone early with a three-run homer in the first inning, powering the Nationals to an early 4-1 lead. Montreal clawed back with Chris Speier's two-run blast in the sixth, tying the game at 5-5. The deadlock persisted until the 11th, when Adam Dunn delivered a dramatic walk-off double off Fred Norman, igniting celebrations at Nationals Park. Cristian Guzmán and Ryan Zimmerman also contributed key hits, while Joel Hanrahan and Jorge Sosa anchored the bullpens in the tense late innings. Despite Ron LeFlore's three-hit effort for the Expos, Washington’s resilience and timely hitting proved decisive in this pivotal Game 4.

Game 5
At Nationals Park
1980 Montreal Expos 4
2009 Washington Nationals 5
WP: C. Stammen (1-0) LP: D. Murray (0-1) S: J. Hanrahan (1)
HR: E. Valentine (1), G. Carter (1), R. Zimmerman 2 (3)
POG: Ryan Zimmerman (3-5, 2 HR, 3 RBI, 3 R)

Under clear October skies, the 2009 Washington Nationals secured a thrilling 5-4 victory over the 1980 Montreal Expos in Game 5 of the Field of Dreams Series #176. Nationals Park was alive with energy as Ryan Zimmerman delivered a masterful performance, driving in three runs, including the decisive eighth-inning solo home run that sealed the win. The Expos had built an early 4-3 lead behind home runs from Gary Carter and Ellis Valentine, but the Nationals' bullpen, led by Craig Stammen and Joel Hanrahan, shut the door in the final innings. With the wind blowing out to center at 10 mph, Zimmerman was named series MVP, hitting .409 with three homers and six RBIs across the series. The Nationals' victory capped a hard-fought series, showcasing resilience and timely heroics that etched their names in the annals of baseball history with an upset win.

2009 Nationals Win Series 4 Games To 1

Series MVP:

(.409, 3 HR, 6 RBI, 7 R, 1 2B, .435 OBP, 1.298 OPS)