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A day off and a cross-country flight might be just what the Washington Nationals need. The NL East leaders extended their losing streak to five games Wednesday night, losing in heart-breaking fashion -- a walk-off single and a three-base, two-run error for Yasiel Puig -- but will try and turn things around Friday when they open a three-game series against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park. Washington remains firmly atop its division, but the Nationals' lead over the second-place Mets has shrunk to 3 1/2 games. Continue to Article

June 23, 2016 11:30:pm EST

On Wednesay night, the Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Washington Nationals 4-3 on what may go down as the craziest finish to a game during the entire MLB season .  With the Dodgers down a run in the ninth inning and a runner on first, Yasiel Puig hit a rocket single to center field that put them in good position to at worst tie the game. Continue to Article

June 23, 2016 2:50:am EST

On Wednesay night, the Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Washington Nationals 4-3 on what may go down as the craziest finish to a game during the entire MLB season .  With the Dodgers down a run in the ninth inning and a runner on first, Yasiel Puig hit a rocket single to center field that put them in good position to at worst tie the game. That's when disaster struck for Washington, as center fielder Michael Taylor allowed the baseball to scoot under his glove and roll to the wall. At that point, all heck broke loose and both Puig and lead runner Howie Kendrick were off to the races. The end result was Puig dramatically belly-flopping into home plate with the absolutely stunning winning run for the Dodgers.  It was one of those exhilarating plays that will be talked about for a long because of the circumstances involved and, let's face it, because of the personality involved. Everything Yasiel Puig does is going to get some attention. When he hits a walk-off Little League home run, then it's going to be the talk of the baseball world.  Here though, is it actually overshadowed by the totality of the moment, and above all the misfortune of Michael Taylor. For Taylor's night didn't begin and end with this defensive miscue. It actually began with one of the worst offensive performances in MLB history. [ Join a Yahoo Daily Fantasy Baseball contest now ] Washington's leadoff man finished 0-for-5 with five strikeouts. That's a dreadful night any way you slice it, but it's especially bad and a lot more unexpected coming from a leadoff man.   Most recent leadoff men with 5+ K June 22, 2016 - Taylor April 12, 2014 - Choo April 18, 2013 - Marte June 5, 1998 - Durham — Ryan M. Spaeder (@theaceofspaeder) June 23, 2016 Offensive performances this futile are few and far between. When you add in the defensive mishap, it goes from disaster to worst nightmare.  0-for-5 with five striekouts, and now that. Someone buy Michael Taylor a beer. — J.P. Hoornstra (@jphoornstra) June 23, 2016 Michael Taylor had the game you wouldn't even wish on your worst enemy, but that's the way baseball goes sometimes. When it's going bad, the baseball will find you and add to your misery. To Taylor's credit though, he didn't back down or make any excuses after the game. He had the confidence to own up to his mistakes.  For what it's worth, Taylor stood and answered every question asked of him. Owned it. Says he knows today doesn't represent the player he is — Dan Kolko (@masnKolko) June 23, 2016 That type of character will be always be rewarded. And the beautiful thing about baseball is knowing he'll be right back on the field Friday night in Milwaukee with an opportunity to show why he belongs.   More MLB coverage from Yahoo Sports: - - - - - - - Mark Townsend is a writer for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at bigleaguestew@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Townie813 Continue to Article

June 23, 2016 2:50:am EST