It was a whirlwind 24 hours for Washington Nationals designated hitter Nelson Cruz. On Thursday he was scratched from the lineup against the Miami Marlins with back tightness. That led to him being scheduled for an MRI Friday morning. But, by evening Cruz was back in the lineup for the start of the Nationals’ homestand against the Milwaukee Brewers.
If there were any lingering concerns despite his return, they were put to rest quickly. Cruz cranked out a four-hit performance.
Cruz went 4-for-5 at the plate, including a home run, three RBIs and two runs scored in the Nationals’ 11-5 win.
His big day started in the first inning when he delivered an RBI single to score Lane Thomas for an early 1-0 lead.
His second at-bat also resulted in him driving Thomas. That time he got an infield single first that gave the Nationals the lead once again at 3-2.
His third at-bat resulted in his only out of the evening, as he grounded out to third in the fourth inning. After a single his fourth time up, Cruz made a splash with a home run that led off the eighth.
Cruz wasn’t alone. The Nationals pounded out 19 hits. Every Nats player in the lineup recorded at least one hit. That included a 3-for-5 night by the young Lane Thomas. Josh Bell, Maikel Franco and Keibert Ruiz each homered in addition to Cruz.
But the night belonged to the 41-year old slugger. He’s been accustomed to four-hit games. In fact the last three such games for a player in his 40s have been by Cruz.
Not a bad day after sitting out the game before. Maybe a plane ride from Miami to D.C. was the antidote?
