Emotions were high when the Alcides Escobar was presented the opportunity to play hero Sunday for the Washington Nationals. In the ninth inning, the Nationals were able to get two runners on base against the San Diego Padres. That’s when Escobar delivered with a walk-off single to give the Nats an 8-7 win.
Escobar joined the Nationals on July 3 after being traded from the Kansas City Royals for cash. Sunday was just his 12th game with Washington. It finished with his welcoming moment to the city.
His walk-off single was his second hit of the game. In the eighth, he delivered his first home run since August 2018 and first n a Nationals uniform. He hit a solo blast that sparked a three-run inning highlighted by Juan Soto’s go-ahead two-run homer.
Unfortunately, closer Brad Hand blew the save in the ninth allowing a game-tying RBI single from Trent Grisham. But in the Nationals’ frame, Tres Barrera reached on a one-out single. Then Victor Robles was hit by a pitch, setting up the heroic moment for Escobar.
The mood at the moment Barrera crossed home plate was the exact opposite from the somber feeling that hovered over Nationals Park the night before. Three people were shot outside of the ballpark forcing Saturday’s game to be suspended. At least seven shots could be heard throughout the stadium, creating a chaotic scene inside the ballpark.
Fans ran onto the field looking for safety. Scenes throughout the stadium showed fans panicking, running around taking cover. Some fans were taken into the dugout by Padres players Fernando Tatis Jr. and Manny Machado.
Nationals manager Dave Martinez ushered a group of fans near the team’s clubhouse before security intervened and provided them a space to sit in safety.
Sunday’s finish provided a much-needed opportunity for the Nationals crowd something to cheer. The win also snapped a six-game losing streak and avoided the three-game sweep to the Padres.
