WASHINGTON – Juan Soto had several achievements to brag about. He is the youngest batting champion in National League history, captured a World Series, was runner-up to Rookie of the Year and garnered strong support for the Most Valuable Player of 2021 award.
But he had never hit a hit at the end of the game. He did it Tuesday, the day the Nationals finally started their season, five days later than planned, following a coronavirus outbreak involving 11 players.
Soto was leading with a single in the ninth and the Nationals, still decimated by COVID-19, rallied to beat the Atlanta Braves 6-5.
Lefthanded reliever Will Smith took the mound in the bottom of the ninth and immediately gave up a single to Victor Robles, who now acts as leadoff.
Smith then hit Trea Turner with a pitch. Soto, the 2020 National League batting champion, came next after a 4-0 score.
He saw three balls pass in a row.
“I would have been very upset if he had missed a 3-0 strike,” said Puerto Rican Nationals manager Dave Martinez.
Soto not. Instead, he hit a line to the center of the field.
He threw down his helmet before being congratulated by his teammates, who ran out of the cave and found him in the middle hugging him and throwing water at him.
The 4,801 fans also celebrated. Since Game 5 of the 2019 World Series, there has been no audience in the stands of Nationals Park.
The Braves were frustrated instead.
“We hate to see him in that situation,” said Braves manager Brian Snitker, whose Braves is 0-4, of Soto. “That boy is special.”
For the Braves, Venezuelan Ronald Acuña Jr. 5-2 with two runs scored and three RBI’s. The Dominican Marcell Ozuna 3-1. Sunday Cristian Pache 4-1.
For the Nationals, Dominicans were Víctor Robles 3-1 with two runs scored, Soto 5-1 with an RBI, Starlin Castro 4-1. Venezuelan Hernán Pérez 3-1 with one goal scored. The Cuban Yadiel Hernández 1-0.