Kyle Schwarber is just clutch. For the second time this season, the Washington Nationals slugger crushed a walk-off home run. This time by virtue of extra innings.
Trailing 1-0 in the 10th, wit Josh Bell on second base, Schwarber launched a fastball 454 feet in center field off Miami Marlins hurler Yimi Garcia to give the Nationals the 2-1 win.
Friday’s blast was the fifth-longest walk-off homer since 2015. His first of the season ranks second. It was just two weeks ago Schwarber crushed a 463-foot walk-off home run against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Two swings, two walk-offs traveling a combined 917 feet by Schwarber.
The end-of-the-game dramatics comes on the night left-handed hurler Jon Lester made his Washington Nationals debut. Lester, who dealt with a thyroid issue during Spring Training, was placed on the injured list after being affected by COVID-19.
Lester was one of nine Nationals players who were affected by the coronavirus. He spent time at the club’s alternate site to rev up his arm after clearing COVID-19 protocols mid-April.
Lester started and pitched five scoreless innings against the Marlins Friday night. But it was Schwarber who played hero, pulling the curtain on the defensive struggle in the 10th.
