The Nationals and Giants more or less played two games Saturday, but the result -- a 2-1 win for San Francisco in 18 innings -- only counted once, giving the Giants a 2-0 series lead in the best of-five NLDS.
The 18-inning marathon tied the major-league record for the longest game in postseason history, while the actual running time of the game, six hours and 23 minutes, was the longest in history, eclipsing the previous record, held by the Braves and Astros in the 2005 NLDS, by 33 minutes.
Game 2 set several records, including but not limited to Jordan Zimmermann becoming the first pitcher ever pulled from a postseason start one out shy of a shutout. Of course, Drew Storen entered the game to allow the game-tying double to Pablo Sandoval that commenced the marathon. In all, Washington used nine pitchers, breaking the National League record and tying the major league record.
San Francisco extended its postseason winning streak to 10 games, the longest in National League history and second-longest overall behind the 12 straight won by the 1998-99 and 1927-32 New York Yankees.
An eleventh consecutive victory would eliminate the Nationals, the sexy pick to win the World Series. Since the current playoff format began in 1995, 44 teams have fallen behind 2-0 in a Division Series. Only five have erased that deficit to win the series, but only two after losing the first two games at home.
Washington will attempt to salvage the series Monday against San Francisco ace Madison Bumgarner.
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