WASHINGTON (WUSA) -- The headlines Wednesday morning were all about Bryce Harper -- as they should be. The Nationals phenom crushed the Mets soul on Tuesday night in the 12th inning, flaring a bases loaded single into left field, propelling Washington 7-6.
However, the Nationals would've lost a game they shouldn't have if it weren't for Ian Desmond. The shortstop went 2-for-6, recording game-tying RBI's in the 8th, 10th and 12th innings, becoming the first player since 1966 to tie the game in three straight plate appearances later than the 8th inning.
Desmond, one of the most baseball buffs in the clubhouse, surprisingly attributed his historical night to two young children.
"I actually met a couple kids -- Joshua Akers and Ethan Brown. Joshua had leukemia. He got rid of it when he was five. And Ethan Brown has NF2," described a somber Desmond, even after a glowing Nationals victory.
He continued, "Before I went up for my first at-bat, I said, 'Hey, if these kids can battle through leukemia and cancer, I can calm myself down enough to just get a hit...just put enough concentration into that at-bat," said Desmond.
"Those guys were definitely on my mind when I was up there. I thank god for putting them in my life."
Desmond said he met Joshua and few weeks ago and Ethan on Twitter.
"[Ethan] sent a message out there saying he was looking for some prayers. I ended up talking to him and he kind of inspired me," said Desmond.
How can you say a bad thing about this guy? Nats fans, make sure you vote him in as an all-star.