*Photo from AP News*
Even a bad team like the Washington Nationals could use a comeback every now and then. Joey Meneses homered, Victor Robles brought in the winning run, and the Nationals defeated the San Diego Padres with a 4-3 victory on Saturday night in Washington.
The win was just the second in the last 10 games for the Nationals, who firmly remain in last place in the NL East following the trade deadline. They have had some strong contributors, particularly Meneses, who was called up following the trade deadline to fill a roster spot, but he has performed particularly well.
It was also a milestone game for Nationals DH Nelson Cruz. With a single into right field in the 8th inning, Cruz recorded the 2,000th hit of his lengthy career, almost 17 years after he recorded his first hit in September of 2005.
Cruz said of reaching the milestone that "It's special. You always kind of have thoughts about it, but it’s different to be in the reality. I have to play for a long time to get to 2,000 hits, so it’s definitely an honor."
Scoreless through the first two innings, Manny Machado got the Padres going in the 3rd, hitting a solo home run to center field. In the 4th inning, Trent Grisham doubled the lead to 2-0, hitting a solo home run of his own. Later that inning, Juan Soto singled to center field, scoring Austin Nola to make it a 3-0 Padres lead.
The Nationals started the rally in the 6th. Yadiel Hernandez got it going, hitting a two run home run to left field, cutting the deficit to a 3-2 margin. Meneses followed that up with a solo shot, also out to left, tying the game 3-3. In the 7th, Robles singled to right field, bringing home Cesar Hernandez to put the Nationals ahead by a 4-3 score.
Robles talked about the effect Cruz has had on him, saying "I pay a lot of attention to the way he plays and how he goes about his at-bats. Especially when he’s struggling a little bit, I talk to him and I ask him what adjustments he makes to try to get out of those. I try to pick his brain as much as possible and learn as much as I can from him. He’s a great player."
Veteran Anibal Sanchez got the start for the Nationals, allowing 3 runs on 6 hits and 3 walks, lasting 5 innings. After that, 4 relievers combined to shut out the Padres the rest of the way. Steve Cishek, Hunter Harvey, Kyle Finnegan, and Carl Edwards Jr got it done, with Edwards getting the save.
For the Padres, Yu Darvish got the start. Darvish was charged with 4 runs on 7 hits and one walk in 6 innings of work. Luis Garcia came on and finished the 7th inning for Darvish, with Adrian Morejon coming on and handling the 8th inning.
Up next, the Nationals and Padres conclude their series on Sunday afternoon. Paolo Espino draws the start for Washington, while Blake Snell starts for the Padres.
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