WASHINGTON — When third-base coach Bob Henley sent Jayson Werth home on a double down the left-field line, the Nationals seemed to be in control. Max Scherzer was dealing some of the finest stuff in the biggest start of his career, and Washington was nine outs from winning an NL Division Series.
Werth was out by 30 feet at the plate , Scherzer lost the lead on his next pitch and the decisive Game 5 unraveled as the Nationals lost to the Los Angeles Dodgers 4-3 Thursday night, their third first-round exit in the past five years.
Henley was "heartbroken" at his ill-advised decision, which cost the Nationals at least the chance at more runs in a game that came down to one.