Nats capitalize on miscues, extend Jays' struggles

Field Level Media|published: Fri 3rd May, 21:54 2024

May 3, 2024; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (27) watches the ball after a hit against the Washington Nationals during the first inning at Nationals Park. credits: Rafael Suanes-USA TODAY Sports

Pinch hitter Luis Garcia Jr. hit a three-run home run in a four-run seventh and the Washington Nationals defeated the visiting Toronto Blue Jays 9-3 Friday night.

Beginning a five-game homestand, the Nationals overcame a 3-0 deficit to take the opener of a three-game series.

The Blue Jays, who began a five-game road trip, have lost three games in a row and eight of their last 10.

Toronto left-hander Yusei Kikuchi allowed one run, six hits and one walk with seven strikeouts in six innings.

Washington left-hander Patrick Corbin gave up three runs, six hits and two walks with three strikeouts in six innings.

Toronto scored three runs in the second.

Danny Jansen led off with a walk and moved to third on Davis Schneider's double, and both scored on Daulton Varsho's double to right. Varsho held second on a single to right by Isiah Kiner-Falefa. After Ernie Clement sacrificed the runners to second and third, George Springer hit a sacrifice fly.

Washington, which has won six of its last eight games, scored once in the third. Jacob Young led off with a double and scored on a single to right by CJ Abrams.

Jacob Barnes (2-0) replaced Corbin and pitched around an error in the seventh.

Erik Swanson (0-2) replaced Kikuchi in the seventh. He allowed a leadoff walk to Ildemar Vargas and a single to Riley Adams followed by Garcia's second homer of the season, a blast to center.

Tim Mayza replaced Swanson and gave up a single to Jesse Winker and uncorked a wild pitch. Nick Senzel hit a one-out RBI double to left.

Washington's Hunter Harvey pitched around Jansen's double in the eighth.

Genesis Cabrera walked Alex Call to lead off the bottom of the eighth. Call moved to third on a wild pitch and a sacrifice. Adams was walked intentionally and Garcia walked to load the bases. Two runs scored on second baseman Kiner-Falefa's throwing error to first in an attempt to double up the runner after he snared Winker's line drive.

Another run scored on Clement's error on a grounder to third by Abrams. Senzel and Joey Meneses hit singles to add another run.

—Field Level Media

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