The Navy’s participation in the day came 40 minutes before the game’s start when the U.S. Navy band, led by drum major Master Chief Musician Joe Brown, took the field. After playing some patriotic music and of course, ‘‘Anchors Aweigh,” the crowd got to see what many had been waiting for: Rear Adm. Terence McKnight, Commandant, Naval District Washington, throwing out the first pitch of the game. The band performed the national anthem and the Nats and Braves took the field under partly sunny skies. The U.S. Navy’s Ceremonial Guard presented the colors.

The Nats won the game, 4-3, against the Atlanta Braves. The Braves were winning 3-1 at the bottom of the fifth inning, but the Nats made a tremendous comeback with the help of players Felipe Lopez and Jesus Flores.

Sailors in the stands shared their free tickets with family and friends, filling up about one-third of the two sections reserved by MWR. Capt. George Chamberlain Jr., commanding officer, Naval Support Activity Washington, and Capt. Thomas McGuire, deputy commandant, Naval District Washington, sat in the stands together to watch their colleague McKnight throw out the first pitch. It was the first Nationals game for both.

‘‘It’s always fun to come out to the ballpark,” McGuire said. Chamberlain said he looked forward to the Nationals relocation (in 2008) to Southeast Washington, D.C.

‘‘It’s (going to be) exciting to have the Nationals so nearby, so close to the Navy Yard,” he said.

Airman Apprentice Joshua Cary brought his wife and two sons to the game. Being from the South, the Atlanta Braves are his team. His two sons, Brian and Caleb, had only been to see small farm teams play back at their home in Tennessee. This was their first major league game.

It was also the first professional game for Personnel Support Specialist 2nd Class Miya Ward. Her co-worker, PSSN Rodney Jean, said he loved going to baseball games and jumped at the chance to see the game.

‘‘The atmosphere is great,” he said. ‘‘It’s like a great place to hang out.”

Chief Culinary Specialist Allen Murray said he came to the game to see McKnight throw out the first pitch and to show support for the Navy and the Nationals.

Lt. Cmdr. Howard Aupke from National Naval Medical Center, Bethesda, Md., said he made it to a Nationals game last year and he was glad to be back. Lt. Jeremy Pyles, also from NNMC, said he welcomed a day away from the daily grind.

‘‘Hey, any day at the ballpark is better than a day at work, right?” said Pyles.