PHILADELPHIA – Nationals outfielder Joey Wiemer has done what only one player has done in the last 106 years.
Wiemer tied Carlos Delgado for the most consecutive plate appearances (10) reaching safely to start a season in the live-ball era (1920) during the Nationals’ series opener against the Phillies on Monday.
The 27-year-old outfielder matched Delgado’s record set in 2002 with a third-inning fly ball single into center field off Taijuan Walker.
“That’s what makes me, me,” Wiemer said after the Nationals’ 13-2 win. “Regardless of the score, situation, I’m going to play hard."
Wiemer kept the streak going in the first inning with a photo finish.
Wiemer hit a 91 mph ground ball to first baseman Bryce Harper and ran down the base path at 29.7 feet per second. (The Major League average is 27 feet per second, and 30 feet per second is considered elite.) A diving Harper tossed the ball to Walker covering first, and Wiemer was initially called out.
Nationals manager Blake Butera challenged the out call at first base. A long inning and the pursuit of a Major League record lingered. The call was overturned, and Wiemer extended his streak to nine games, tying Yogi Berra (1956).
“He plays the game so hard and he brings that energy,” said Butera. “It's what he's been since the beginning, and it's just who he is and he knows that.”
Wiemer begins 2026 on a record-setting pace after being designated for assignment three times last year. The Nationals claimed Wiemer off waivers from the Giants on Jan. 5.
On Sunday, Wiemer set the Nationals/Expos franchise record in the category. Juan Soto set the overall franchise record of reaching base safely in 12 consecutive plate appearances in 2021.
Wiemer’s streak ended in the fifth inning when he grounded out softly to Walker.
“He’s said before, he’s got to earn everything,” said Butera. “And we’re kind of building our team around the mindset of ‘earn everything we get.’ So just to see the way he's going about his business every day has been awesome.”