*Photo from Draftkings*
Despite their late start to the season due to Covid-19 issues, the Washington Nationals started hot. Trea Turner homered, late roster addition Jonathan Lucroy drove in two runs, and the Nationals beat the Atlanta Braves 6-5 on Washington's delayed opening day with a walkoff win Tuesday afternoon.
The Braves struck first in the first inning, with Ronald Acuna Jr and Freddie Freeman both cranking solo homers to make it 2-0. In the top of the second, Dansby Swanson hit a solo homer to make it 3-0. In the bottom half, Lucroy hit a two run double and the lead was cut to 3-2. In the 3rd, Acuna hit a solo homer, and Turner hit a two run shot, which tied things at 4-4. In the 7th, an Acuna groundout made it 5-4 Braves. In the 8th, an RBI single from Andrew Stevenson tied it at 5. In the 9th, Juan Soto hit an RBI single to get the walkoff win.
Soto said of the late inning drama that "I can’t even believe the late innings with the noise and the crowd, it just made my heart go a little bit quicker. It feels nice to feel that, and to be back on the field with the fans and everything. It’s just an amazing feeling to play in front of a bunch of people that cheer for you."
Daniel Hudson got the win for the Nationals, working a scoreless top of the 9th for Washington, striking out two hitters. Max Scherzer got the start for the Nationals, working 6 innings, allowing 4 runs on 5 hits, walking no one and striking out 9 hitters. Kyle Finnegan, Wander Suero, and Kyle McGowin also saw relief work for the Nats.
Nats manager Dave Martinez was very proud of his team on opening day. Martinez said after the game that "I’m proud of the boys, they battled all game. They don't quit. They’re going to play hard for nine innings, and you saw that tonight."
Will Smith got the loss for the Braves, being unable to get even one out in the bottom of the 9th in the defeat. Drew Smyly got the start for the Braves, pitching 6 innings and allowing 4 runs on 4 hits and one walk, striking out 8 hitters. Tyler Matzek, AJ Minter, and Josh Tomlin also came out of the bullpen for Atlanta.
Acuna said of the tough loss that "I know what we are capable of, and I know what we can do as a team. I have all the confidence in the world that if we keep getting after it, we can get it. It’s just the beginning of a very long season. It's about maintaining the effort, maintaining the energy and keep bringing it every day."
The Nationals and Braves have a doubleheader for today, with the Braves having won the first game 7-6, and Huascar Ynoa and Stephen Strasburg as the starters for the second game, currently still in progress.
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