For the first time since before the All-Star Game, the Washington Nationals won a baseball game. Of course, given the state of affairs at Nationals Park—a six-game losing streak, an uneven bullpen, a knack for leaving runners in scoring position—it was hardly surprising that the Nats still managed to bungle a 7-3 lead in the top of the ninth inning.

Coming into today, the Nationals returned from the break by getting swept by the Los Angeles Dodgers and risking having the same happen at the hands of the Pittsburgh Pirates. And thanks to a shoddy outing by $14 million closer Rafael Soriano, who gave up four runs instead of closing out the game—one with Michelle Obama in attendance, no less—it very nearly transpired. (“Un-believable,” radio play-by-play announcer Charlie Slowes said. “Put whatever you want between ‘un’ and ‘believable.'”)

Oh, and manager Davey Johnson had already left the game after getting tossed in the fifth inning for arguing balls and strikes with the home plate umpire.

But in the bottom of the ninth, with Roger Bernadina on first with two outs and the game seemingly headed toward free baseball, the Nationals got that long-awaited momentum shift. Next up was Bryce Harper who had gone without a home run since July 1, when he crushed one in his first plate appearance since returning from a month-long stint on the disabled list.

And for the first time in a while, there was joy in Navy Yard.