Accio runs! Nats summon power on Harry Potter Day

WASHINGTON -- Asked before Saturday’s game what it would take for the Nationals to snap their five-game losing streak, manager Dave Martinez mentioned that getting an early lead would take some of the pressure off and let the team relax a little.

The Nationals began Saturday 1-15 in their past 16 home games, and were 0-5 on the current homestand versus the Reds and Rangers.

Martinez’s pregame remarks proved prophetic. Washington jumped on Texas starter Andrew Heaney for four runs in the first inning, added three more in the second and cruised to an 8-3 win over the Rangers before 29,402 fans on Harry Potter Day at Nationals Park.

“It’s a lot different ballgame when you score first,” Martinez said afterwards. “It really is. I hope these guys learn that by going out there and putting some runs up early, our pitcher gets to relax a little bit, and they get to relax a little bit and they have some fun.”

Here are three highlights from Saturday’s win:

Irvin’s gutty performance
Saturday’s game was delayed 77 minutes after the third inning. Nats starter Jake Irvin returned to the mound afterwards and, though he allowed a two-run homer in the fourth, went five innings for his first win since May 8. He allowed two runs on five hits while walking two and striking out one, throwing 79 pitches (52 strikes).

“Just trying to keep the legs loose, the arm loose, do whatever you can to keep the body feeling good,” Irvin said of his efforts during the delay. “Mentally, you stay prepared like you’re just in a really, really long inning. I don’t know how to explain it other than that.”

Martinez explained that every 20 minutes during the delay, Irvin got up and threw 8-10 pitches in the bullpen in order to stay ready. But by the time the game resumed, the Nats were reaching the outer limit of the period after which they would feel comfortable leaving Irvin in.

“After about an hour [and] 10 minutes, we have to pull the plug,” Martinez said. “We were right on the cusp. … They called, said we’re going to start.”

Since being skipped once in the rotation for a physical and mental reset following his June 6 start, Irvin, 26, has allowed three earned runs or fewer in each of his five starts, going at least five innings each time.

“We talked about how much he’s improved,” Martinez said. “Today he pounded the strike zone. His fastball was electric, breaking ball was awesome. When he throws strikes, he’s really good.”

Candelario’s comeback
After being hit by a pitch on Thursday, third baseman Jeimer Candelario sat out Friday’s game with a right knee contusion. Martinez said Saturday Candelario was ready to hit and, rather than rest him through the All-Star break, Candelario would serve as the designated hitter.

Batting in the first inning with runners on first and second, Candelario fouled off a pair of 2-2 pitches and then hit a changeup to center field for his 13th home run of the season, giving Washington the early lead that Martinez was looking for.

“I don’t feel right [not playing],” Candelario said. “I never want to let down my team. I want to be there for my team all the time, and today I contributed to the team and helped them win.”

Martinez said Candelario could be back at third base on Sunday.

Meneses goes deep again
After hitting two homers in his first 80 games this season, Joey Meneses has three in his past two games. He smacked two homers in Friday night’s loss, and on Saturday, he followed Candelario’s homer to center with one of his own to put Washington ahead 4-0. It was the fourth time the Nationals have gone back-to-back this season.

“That was a pitch middle-in,” Meneses said. “I was kind of looking for it. He had thrown two sliders away from me for balls, so I was trying to look for something middle-in, and he threw it there, so I connected well.”

Meneses added an RBI double in the second inning to increase the Nationals’ lead to 7-0.

“He’s staying back and using his legs,” Martinez said. “He’s been working on not jumping out there. He’s staying behind the ball, and you can see that the power’s coming now.”