Candelario excels vs. former team, but that's not why he was so pumped

WASHINGTON – There was an exuberance on the basepaths when Jeimer Candelario bolted out of the batter’s box. Fist pumps and energetic claps demonstrated the third baseman’s excitement as he collected a home run and a double in the Nats’ 5-2 win over the Tigers that snapped a four-game losing streak on Saturday afternoon at Nationals Park.

His reaction was not about having success against his previous club, but rather for performing well in front of his home crowd.

“It’s always special to play my former team,” said Candelario, who was a member of the Tigers from 2017-22. “I liked the fans today. They supported us a lot today, there was a good atmosphere. That’s why we get pumped and we want to win ballgames for them.”

Candelario went 2-for-4 with a run scored, two RBIs, his 13th double and his sixth homer of the season. He is tied with Lane Thomas for most homers on the Nats and is the team leader in doubles.

“He started off hot [this season], and then he was still hitting the ball hard but it probably felt like he wasn’t just because they weren’t falling,” said Thomas. “He just stayed consistent, and it’s showing up now when it matters. He’s been great lately.”

This weekend is the first time Candelario has faced the Tigers since he was non-tendered last November. His tenure in Detroit fluctuated from co-leading the Majors with 42 doubles in 2021 to hitting .217 with 19 doubles in ‘22. This season, he has gotten back to his extra-base success.

“The biggest thing is getting out of his mind about trying to hit home runs every at-bat. Just stay on the ball,” said manager Dave Martinez. “He’s got enough power that when he hits the ball and gets it in the air, he’ll hit home runs. He’s trying to do that, he’s trying to stay in the middle of the field. He’s clipping some balls out front, and they’re going far. And that’s who he is.”

Martinez had worked with a young Candelario in 2016-17, when he was on the Cubs coaching staff. When Candelario became a free agent, Martinez was excited for the Nationals to sign him to be a veteran presence alongside a developing middle infield.

“I talked to him before the series started, just basically, ‘You be you. Remember, you’re a National now,’” Martinez said. “I love him being here. He’s doing well, he’s playing really well. And don’t forget about his defense; he made some pretty good plays out there today.”

Candelario delivered on both sides of the field. With two outs in the seventh inning and a runner on third, he made an impressive backhanded stop to nab Matt Vierling at first base and help reliever Carl Edwards Jr. preserve the lead established by Patrick Corbin, who improved to 3-5.

“His glove’s been amazing, especially for me when I throw the sliders, throw fastballs in to righties, you get a lot of ground balls,” said Corbin. “He’s got a lot of similarities to [Anthony] Rendon when he was here, just the way he goes about things, and his glove. Being able to watch him every day now, it’s been impressive.”

In focusing on winning in the present rather than where he played in the past, Candelario was able to continue in his path toward a turnaround season.

“I’m just trying to have quality ABs,” he said. “And trying to help my team win is going to take care of itself.”