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Once favored Nats have new goal: 'Shock the world'

ST. LOUIS - Washington Nationals stars Bryce Harper and Jayson Werth, their jerseys and undershirts ripped off, and uniform pants still on, sat side-by-side on the visiting clubhouse couch at Busch Stadium, staring vacantly ahead.

It was the look of a season of despair, trying to wrap their heads around the idea that their hopes of a playoff berth, let alone Washington’s first World Series in 91 years, could be over before Labor Day.

There were dazed looks in every crevice of the clubhouse, from the manager’s office, to the trainer’s room, to the dining room,

“That was a tough one,’’ Nationals manager Matt Williams said after their latest loss Monday.