PHOENIX — The Washington Nationals exploded for a massive 10-run first inning, anchored by Luis García Jr.’s double and three RBIs, leading them to an 11-7 victory against the struggling Arizona Diamondbacks on Saturday night.
Washington is currently enjoying a hot streak, winning 11 out of their last 15 games, and they have impressively scored at least nine runs in their last four consecutive matches. Meanwhile, Arizona is having a tough time, losing nine of their last ten games.
In an extraordinary start, the Nationals had their first 11 batters reach base, scoring nine runs before the Arizona D-backs managed to secure their first out. This performance stands as the second-highest run total achieved before a team’s pitcher has recorded an out since 1961. The record in this category is held by the Boston Red Sox, who managed to score ten runs against the Florida Marlins in June 2003 before an out was registered.
The Diamondbacks’ starter, Brandon Pfaadt, faced an early exit, enduring only eight batters while conceding eight earned runs off six hits, and hitting two batters. The Nationals achieved a remarkable feat, sending a total of 16 players to bat in the first inning, taking the D-backs half an hour to finally get three outs.
Despite the tough start, the Diamondbacks managed a spirited comeback, scoring a pair of runs in the fourth inning and adding five more in the sixth. Randal Grichuk’s two-run home run helped narrow the gap to 11-7, finishing off a commendable effort with three hits overall.
Michael Soroka, the starting pitcher for Washington, displayed a solid initial performance, retiring the first 11 batters before Geraldo Perdomo managed a single to right field in the fourth inning. Arizona capitalized on the momentum with Josh Naylor hitting a two-run homer off Soroka, who allowed four runs on six hits and a walk in his 5 1/3 innings of pitch, striking out three.
C.J. Abrams of the Nationals faced a rough game, being hit by pitches three times. Meanwhile, James Wood, Robert Hassell III, Keibert Ruiz, and Daylen Lile each contributed with two hits.
The turning point of the game came when Pfaadt had Abrams at two strikes but hit him on the foot, sparking the Nationals’ early surge.
As a result of the game, Pfaadt’s ERA inflated dramatically from 3.90 to 5.05, and collectively, Arizona’s pitchers hit five Nationals’ players with pitches.
In their upcoming matchup, Arizona will have Corbin Burnes take the mound, holding a record of 3-2 and a 2.72 ERA, while the Nationals will pitch Mitchell Parker, who comes in with a 4-4 record and a 4.65 ERA.