Nationals walk their way to a team record, then use power to put away Blue Jays

WASHINGTON – The Nationals took an early lead by being patient at the plate. Then, they put the game out of reach with two powerful swings of the bat.

The Nats combined for eight walks and two home runs to beat the Blue Jays, 8-6, on Tuesday at Nationals Park.

“Sometimes it doesn’t take a big hit,” said Dylan Crews. “Sometimes it just takes some good walks here and there.”

Washington opened the game by drawing six walks against Toronto starter Shane Bieber in the first inning. The Nationals scored four runs in that frame, including three bases-loaded walks from Keibert Ruiz, Daylen Lile and Jacob Young. The Nats got to the Blue Jays’ bullpen after just two-thirds of an inning.

“They were really patient and waited for a really good pitch to hit, and they weren’t trying to do too much – especially when we got bases loaded,” said manager Blake Butera. “They stayed stubborn and did a really good job of seeing pitches and seeing strikes and working the at-bats. Obviously getting the pitch count up to where we got it to and getting him out of the game in the first was big.”

The Nationals set a team record (2005-present) for the most walks drawn in a single inning in team history. They had drawn five free bases three times, but not in seven years: June 10, 2005 vs. Mariners (eighth inning); May 5, 2009 vs. Astros (sixth inning); April 7, 2019 vs. Mets (fifth inning).

"You could kind of tell that he was having a hard time in the zone a little bit,” said Crews. “Even if he throws something in the zone, don't get too excited because you just want to keyhole him as much as you can. We all know he's a great pitcher. It just wasn't his day today. So it was a good inning for us."

The Nationals saw 27 balls thrown by Bieber, the most by any pitcher (in any inning) since Dallas Keuchel on May 2, 2016, with the Astros. Asked if he was dealing with a grip issue, the veteran Bieber said, “Yeah, pretty much. But you’ve got to find a way to get through it, right, and I wasn't able to do that tonight.”

After drawing walks in bunches, the Nats hit home runs the same way.

Luis García Jr. crushed his 22nd home run of the season in the fourth inning against Mason Fluharty. It was his third homer of the year against a southpaw.

“I was really glad to see it, and I know Luis was, too,” said Butera. “He let out some excitement after squaring that ball up against a lefty, as he’s obviously been a little frustrated facing some lefties previously. But it was really good to see him get that one.”

Following a pitching change, Crews went yard in the next at-bat off right-hander CJ Van Eyk. It was the fourth time this season the Nationals went back-to-back. The last time was July 19 at the Athletics, when Crews and CJ Abrams homered in tandem.

“They have such a good game plan, and they stick to it,” said starting right-hander Cade Cavalli, who improved to 8-4. “They’ve been doing it all year. It’s never surprising, and they make it easy for us pitchers to just go attack the zone.”

The Nationals improved to 55-53 and are tied with the Pirates at one game back for the third Wild Card. They will go for the series win on Wednesday afternoon, when right-hander Trevor Williams is expected to be reinstated from the injured list.

“I think we all know what’s at stake,” said Crews. “We’re treating every game like it’s a playoff game right now. It’s awesome to see that we’re stringing some good at-bats together, especially against a good staff like they’ve got.”