WASHINGTON -- The juxtaposition between the Nationals’ past and future was on display Friday night, eight months after a blockbuster trade that overhauled their roster and shifted the direction of the organization.
In a highly anticipated early-season matchup, right-hander Josiah Gray and catcher Keibert Ruiz worked together against the Mets, who were anchored by three-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer in his first start at Nationals Park since being dealt to the Dodgers last July. Gray, 24, and Ruiz, 23, headlined Washington’s prospect-heavy acquisitions in a move that ushered in emerging talents in exchange for All-Star veterans Scherzer, 37, and Trea Turner, 28.
“We’ve got two young guys that are out there today facing a guy that’s probably going to be in the Hall of Fame,” manager Dave Martinez said Friday before the Nats’ 7-3 loss to the Mets. “It’s going to be fun.”
Scherzer’s return had been a hot topic of conversation since Spring Training, when it became apparent he would likely make his Mets debut against his former team of six-plus seasons. Erick Fedde, who had spent his entire career on the same pitching staff as Scherzer, expected, “It’ll definitely be weird.” Slugger Juan Soto, meanwhile, predicted highly-competitive at-bats.
“When at first we saw him go out there and warm up as he typically always did when he was with us, seeing him wearing the other uniform was kind of emotional,” Martinez said. “The memories that we’ve had together were amazing, and it’s something that I’ll never forget and I’ll cherish.”
The Nationals welcomed Scherzer back on Thursday with an emotional tribute video during Opening Day ceremonies. The following evening, it was time to battle against him as the opposing pitcher, with the tandem of Gray and Ruiz going to work and trying to stifle New York’s lineup.
“He’s a big part of our past, and I’ve got a long history with them and I love him -- one of the great Nationals of all time,” general manager Mike Rizzo said Friday afternoon. “But tonight he’s a Met, and we’re going to try to beat him.”
Both starters exited at the 80-pitch mark. Gray departed after only four-plus innings, allowing eight hits (one home run), four runs, two walks and five strikeouts as Martinez noted some fatigue. Scherzer allowed three runs off three hits (including a dinger) and one walk while striking out six.
“I thought about it a little bit, but tried not to take away from the focus of going out there and pitching,” Gray said of the matchup. “Obviously, Max is as good as they get, so I just wanted to go out there and try to match his zeros and keep the team in the game and put us in a position to win.”
The mega-trade was about more than pitching -- it also centered around Ruiz, who is revered for his offensive power potential. Ruiz continued the momentum he established in Spring Training by going 2-for-4 at the plate on Friday night. Meanwhile, Yadiel Hernandez (sacrifice fly) and Josh Bell (two-run homer) each plated runs against former teammate Scherzer.
As Scherzer departed the field with his new Mets teammates, Gray re-entered the Nats’ clubhouse, where he and Ruiz sit just feet away from each other, representing a close pairing the Nats hope will lead the team for years to come.
“I think as he learns, I learn,” Gray said. “I think this year’s going to be really exciting for the both of us and we’re going to make a lot of leaps forward in the way we game plan, in the way we attack hitters, execute third time through, just rattle off things, and it’s only going to get better.”