While we all mourn the Washington Nationals’ loss last night in Game 4 of their series against the San Francisco Giants, it’s worth remembering that there’s at least one winner this postseason: American University, which offered to foot the bill for late-night Metro service during the playoffs since the Nats themselves refused, and will now ultimately pay, well, $0.

Last week, AU swooped in and heroically offered to put down the money to operate the Metro after-hours in case any games ran late and fans needed to take public transit home. Metro requires that someone pay $30,000 for each hour the trains run after-hours. Depending on how many people use the Metro, it would give a portion of the money back.

The Capitals, Wizards, and even the Pigskins all pay the money when their games run late. Not the Nats. In 2012, LivingSocial—-the now-floundering D.C. online-coupon company—-offered to pay the bill during the Nats post season.

In the end, like LivingSocial in 2012, got good press, looked like a good steward, and got to keep its money. The Nats played two home games during its series against San Francisco—-none of which required the Metro to operate later than normal.

Photo by Darrow Montgomery.