Photo by Marlene Koenig for TalkNats
Many Washington Nationals players looked great in this game as the Nationals guaranteed themselves a winning season with their 82nd win. With 2-runs over 6-innings in Colorado, Stephen Strasburg completed his 2018 season on a high note with this win. He was backed up with plenty of offense with 12-runs on 18-hits including one of his own hits. In this game, Juan Soto smashed his 22nd home run of the season which tied him with teammate Bryce Harper for the most home runs by a teenager trailing only Tony Conigliaro‘s 24-homers. Soto raised his RBI total to 70 on his big night, and Trea Turner finished with 3-hits and also hit a home run which was his 19th of the season. Turner needs one more home run to join the 20/40 Club. Adam Eaton also had 3-hits and pushed his batting average back over .300.
“It’s definitely a good place to hit,” Trea Turner said. “It gives you a little confidence at the plate.”
This 12-2 win by the Nationals pushed the Rockies back into a tie atop the NL West with the Dodgers. Tomorrow will decide whether the Rockies will need to play a 163rd game to decide who wins the NL West. As of now, it could be Erick Fedde pitching tomorrow for the Nationals instead of Max Scherzer. The Rockies are set to start German Marquez.
The Nationals bullpen finished off this game with a 3-inning shutout from the bullpen as Koda Glover and Greg Holland threw perfect innings.
“You compete every day and just want to win,” manager Dave Martinez said.
This win gives the Washington Nationals 7-straight winning seasons which is quite the feat. Even though the Nationals will not play in the postseason, they will finish with some good momentum going into the off-season.
