This article is about 6 years old

‘Priceless’: After Game 6 win, Nats fans in Houston are riled up for World Series final

There weren’t many Washington Nationals fans at Minute Maid Park for Game 6 of the World Series, but those who made it out to Houston were not at a loss for words at the Nats’ 7-2 win.

One Nats fan, D.C. native Matthew Crisostomo, who spoke to WTOP’s John Domen after Game 6 said he looked for “the red speckles in the crowd, but we were outnumbered by far.”

But the few Nats fans didn’t phase him. He said he took a 5 a.m., red eye flight from Los Angeles — where Cisostomo now lives — to Houston simply because he “could not miss this game whatsoever.”

As far as what he paid for it?

“I don’t want to talk about it,” Cristosomo said, laughing. “It’s priceless. This whole experience is priceless.”



Silver Spring, Maryland native Aaron Sachs, who now lives in Sugarland, Texas, was about to look at ticket prices for Game 7 when he spoke to Domen. He said he’s pretty confident the outcome of that game would favor his home team.

“I was standing in line coming to the ballpark at 3:30 [p.m.] today and I saw the news … that [Max] Scherzer is good to go, and I got fired up for tonight,” Sachs said. “We just need this one. Scherzer’s got Game 7.”

Scherzer was scratched from his scheduled Game 5 hours before the first pitch on Sunday, but he’s now primed to return for Game 7.

Sam Luwis was just as excited to have Scherzer back. But he was confident that the Nationals would win Tuesday night and force a Game 7, even before he heard the good news of the pitcher’s return.

“[He’s] the best pitcher in baseball. You can’t ask for anything else,” said Luwis. “Only one team has Max Scherzer.”

Luwis said that although they were surrounded by Astros fans, they were really friendly — a common theme seen throughout this World Series season. 

Erin Coates, who lives just down the road from Nats Park, also attested to the friendliness of the crowd.

“I was expecting to come into an opposing crowd. They weren’t a super negative crowd,” Coates told Domen, with all the excitement and joy still in her voice.

“I had a great time tonight. It’s the best night ever. I’m truly speechless. Maybe you can tell I’m at a loss for words. I’m speechless for this team. I’ve been speechless the entire month of October. They just keep shocking me, surprising me,” Coates said.

WTOP didn’t catch up with Sachs to confirm he would attend Game 7, but it’s fair to say his hopes of a win are high.

“This is, one or two years ago — it’s not the same for them,” he said, referring to the Astros winning the World Series back in 2017. “Nats fans, we want it more. We care more about the team — we cherish it.”

WTOP’s John Domen reported from Minute Maid Park in Houston, Texas. 

Stephen Strasburg holding the well-deserved trophy. (WTOP/George Wallace)
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WTOP's George Wallace captures the plenty of red at Minute Maid Park in Houston.

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