10. Josh Donaldson, 37 percent
The Washington Nationals’ ongoing effort to haul in the division-leading Atlanta Braves came to a head during the decider of a three-game mid-week series in Washington. Having leveled the series the previous night, the visiting Braves gradually built a 4-1 lead through seven innings of the Wednesday finale, only to see the Nats rally. Matt Adams’ home run brought Washington a run closer in the eighth, then in the ninth the home team turned three hits plus a walk into two game-tying runs.
To start the 10th, the Nats called on their veteran closer, Sean Doolittle, to keep the Braves in check. Doolittle, who has 24 saves atop six victories, faced the heart of the Braves’ order beginning with Freddie Freeman, who he retired on a groundout.
That brought up Josh Donaldson. Doolittle worked carefully, building the count to 1-2 before missing over the middle of the plate with his next pitch. It was all the leverage Donaldson needed. He drove it deep over the center field wall for a home run that restored Atlanta’s lead, if only at one run.
The Nats made a game comeback attempt in the bottom of the 10thj, Adrian Sanchez singling with one out and taking second on a walk to Trea Turner. But Josh Tomlin got Adam Eaton to pop out, then coaxed a line fly out of Anthony Rendon that Adam Duvall got in front of in left field for the game-ending out.