The Washington Nationals hung 17 runs on the Cincinnati Reds to complete a three-game sweep and their fourth straight win. They did so thanks to a 10-run fifth inning that seen every Nationals’ starter score in the frame, including pitcher Stephen Strasburg.
With the score tied at 1-1, the inning started with an Asdrubal Cabrera single. The first run came with one out, as Strasburg hit an RBI-single scoring Kurt Suzuki.
Washington would go eight consecutive plate appearances without recording another out. That included three home runs. Adam Eaton hammered a three-run shot to 409 feet to center which extended Washington’s lead to 6-1.
Anthony Rendon followed with a solo blast to center charting 411 feet in the very next at-bat. Suzuki hit the second three-run homer of the inning that capped the 10-run inning, giving the Nationals an 11-1 lead. Eight of the nine runs Reds’ starter Trevor Bauer allowed came in the inning.
When the game was finished every Nationals’ starting position player scored two runs, Strasburg scored once. All nine collected at least one RBI led by Suzuki who had four.
The Nationals have regained momentum following their weekend series loss to the New York Mets. Washington is one game ahead of the Chicago Cubs for the top NL wild card and 2.5 games above the trailing Milwaukee Brewers.
