Small ball special: Out-of-character Nationals utilize three late bunts to upend Brewers

The Washington Nationals flipped the script on the Milwaukee Brewers.

After attempting just one bunt in their opening 12 games, the Nationals laid down three successful bunts in the ninth inning against the shocked Brewers, who gained a reputation for developing into small-ball specialists.

The Brewers didn't have a defensive answer, falling 7-3 at America Family Field.

“Nobody bunts more than us," Brewers manager Pat Murphy said, as reported by MLB.com. "They did a great job of exploiting us.”

Nationals take down Brewers with bunts

True. Entering Friday's matchup, the Brewers paced the major leagues with six sacrifice bunts. They also hustled out 12 infield hits, tied for fourth most.

On the flip side, the Nationals rarely play the short game, executing just one sacrifice hit and zero bunt singles.

Nationals first-year manager Blake Butera wants to alter the team's mindset.

"It's been a big focus of ours, being able to do the small things very well," Butera said. "We talked about it going into this series specifically, knowing the type of team Milwaukee has and knowing they're going to be coming at us all day lone and we're going to have to go right back at them."

They did.

With the score tied at 3-all at the top of the ninth inning and facing Brewers All-Star closer Trevor Megill, Joey Wiemer registered the team's first bunt single this season, outhustling third baseman Luis Rengifo's replay with sprint speed of 29.5 feet per second.

Jorbit Vivas attempted a safety squeeze, but the ball bounced to Megill, who errored attempting to shovel the ball to William Cantreras, but it fluttered past the Brewers catcher, scoring Weimer. 

Drew Milas also attempted a squeeze play and Megill again fumbled the opportunity, allowing another run to score.

"There’s no excuse for that (stuff)," Megill said. "Just, soggy legs. I didn't get it done."

Are the Nationals discovering small ball?