*Photo from mymotherlode.com*
Despite being a subpar team, the Washington Nationals still have a strong middle of the order. Juan Soto homered, Nelson Cruz homered, and the Nationals defeated the New York Mets with a 8-3 victory on Wednesday night in Washington.
Despite being 4-6 in their last 10 games, and having a 11-21 record overall, the Nationals picked up the win they needed to get, anchored by their hitting core. It was Soto and Cruz carrying the load, with Soto driving in two runs and Cruz getting 3. Soto is very happy to see Cruz in Washington, and he mentioned the influence that Cruz has had on him.
Soto said of Cruz's influence that "It's just how to keep positive. It doesn’t matter if things aren’t going our way. Just keep positive, keep playing baseball, keep playing hard every day. Don’t try to let things get on your mind. Just keep battling every day."
Most of the game's scoring came in the first inning, with the Mets striking early and first. In the top of the first, the Mets got on the board when Starling Marte picked up an infield single, scoring Brandon Nimmo and making it 1-0 Mets. Two batters later came Pete Alonso, who whacked a two run home run to left field to triple the Mets lead to 3-0.
In the bottom of the first inning, Soto got two runs back for the Nationals, hitting a two run home run to make it 3-2 Mets. Keibert Ruiz tied the game with an RBI single, scoring Cruz. Yadiel Hernandez then scored on a Maikel Franco sac fly, and Ruiz scored on an RBI single from Dee Strange-Gordon, putting the Nationals ahead 5-3. In the second inning, Cruz blasted a 3 run home run, capping the scoring and making it 8-3 Nationals.
Asked about hitting the 3 run home run in the second inning, Cruz said that "Every homer feels good, you know? I guess when you can hit a three-run homer, it's more impressive. But the good thing is we won the game."
It was Aaron Sanchez who started for the Nationals, leaving after 5 1/3 innings after getting hit by a comebacker. Sanchez allowed 3 runs on 6 hits to get the win, exiting due to precautionary reasons. In relief of Sanchez, Austin Voth and Victor Arano each pitched 1 1/3 innings of shutout relief, with Paolo Espino ending it in the 9th inning.
For the Mets, it was Tylor Megill who got the start, and he got hit hard, taking the loss. Megill allowed all 8 runs on 8 hits and one walk, lasting just 1 1/3 innings in the loss. Trevor Williams threw 3 2/3 innings of shutout ball in relief of Megill, and Stephen Nogosek throwing 3 hitless innings, striking out 3 hitters and walking two.
Asked about his start, Megill said that "An outing like this, as bad as it went, just can't really dwell over it. Obviously, it was a bad outing. But I’m capable of way more. I’m not going to let this one define me."
Up next, the Nationals and Mets conclude their series on Thursday afternoon. Joan Adon takes the mound for the Nationals, while Taijuan Walker gets the start for the Mets.
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