WASHINGTON – The Nationals took the term “team sport” to a new level when five – yes, five – players were involved in a collaborative putout at home plate in their 7-5 win over the Twins on Thursday.
Let’s set the scene.
With Jake Irvin on the mound and Austin Martin on first base, Ryan Jeffers doubled into right field. Martin took off as the line drive bounced toward the warning track.
James Wood gathered the ball and fired it down the line to Nasim Nuñez, who was covering from second base. Nuñez caught it on one hop, then rocketed the ball across the infield to third baseman Brady House.
By then, Martin had rounded third. But the Nationals’ relay caught up to him.
House ran down the third-base line and threw the ball to catcher Keibert Ruiz. Martin recognized the defensive action and pivoted to get back to the bag.
Shortstop CJ Abrams had shifted over to cover third base, though Ruiz ran the ball back up the baseline and threw the ball to Abrams. He then chased Martin back down the line and applied the tag.
Score it 9-4-5-2-6.
The impressive defensive play shifted the momentum for the Nationals. They scored a game-tying pair of runs in the bottom of the inning, including an RBI double from Ruiz. The catcher has been struggling offensively this season, but he collected two doubles and homered in the game.