Nats overcome odds, put up 15 vs. Orioles
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No Starlin? No Strasburg? No problem.
Despite losing second baseman Starlin Castro to a broken right wrist earlier in the day and watching Stephen Strasburg leave Friday night’s game in the first inning, the Nationals slugged their way past the Orioles, 15-3, at Camden Yards.
Earlier in the day, the Orioles finished off a 6-2 victory over the Nationals in the resumption of last Sunday’s suspended game.
Strasburg departed Friday night with two outs in the first inning, apparently dealing with the same nerve issue in his right hand that hampered him earlier this season.
“It was very difficult,” manager Dave Martinez said. “We lost our starting second baseman in half a game, then Stephen goes down. It ended up really good; we got a victory.”
Although Strasburg’s quick exit was unwelcome news for the Nationals, it didn’t impact them on the field Friday night. Erick Fedde took over and held the Orioles to two hits over 5 1/3 scoreless innings.
“I knew today Stras might not be feeling his best, so it’s a little easier going in mentally prepared for it,” Fedde said. “When you get that opportunity, I’m trying to be efficient, help the guys out in the bullpen and get as far down as I could.”
Rookie second baseman Luis García, the club’s No. 2 prospect according to MLB Pipeline, made his Major League debut after being added to the roster from the taxi squad. Prior to the game, Juan Soto and Victor Robles did their best to prepare their 20-year-old teammate for what he was about to experience.
“They basically were asking me if I was nervous at all, and I was telling them, ‘To be honest, I'm really not that nervous,’” García said through a translator. “They said, ‘Oh, you're just lying. You’ve got to be nervous to be out here with these big leaguers.’ They kept telling me, ‘Just remember, it's the same game as down in the Minor Leagues; the only difference is there's big league players and a big league ballfield. Relax, enjoy yourself, have fun and enjoy this moment.’”
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García appeared to handle the moment just fine, going 2-for-5 with a two-run double in his debut.
“I was very excited,” García said. “After I got the [first] base hit, I relaxed even more. ... I was very excited to be able to help the team win today.”
“He’s got a good glove,” Martinez said. “He’s a kid with a lot of energy, he loves to play. He looked really good out there.”
Six different players drove in multiple runs for Washington in the win, while all nine members of the starting lineup scored at least one run to help the Nationals snap their two-game losing streak.
“We’ll come back tomorrow and do it again,” Martinez said.
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