Toronto Blue Jays at Washington Nationals

WASHINGTON – The Nationals took an early lead by being patient at the plate. Then, they put the game out of reach with two powerful swings of the bat. The Nats combined for eight walks and two home runs to beat the Blue Jays, 8-6, on Tuesday at Nationals Park. “Sometimes it doesn’t take a big hit,” said Dylan Crews. “Sometimes it just takes some good walks here and there.” Washington opened the game by drawing six walks against Toronto starter Shane Bieber in the first inning. The Nationals scored four runs in that frame, including three bases-loaded walks from Keibert Ruiz, Daylen Lile and Jacob Young. The Nats got to the Blue Jays’ bullpen after just two-thirds of an inning. “They were really patient and waited for a really good pitch to hit, and they weren’t trying to do too much – especially when we got bases loaded,” said manager Blake Butera. “They stayed stubborn and did a really good job of seeing pitches and seeing strikes and working the at-bats. Obviously getting the pitch count up to where we got it to and getting him out of the game in the first was big.” The Nationals set a team record (2005-present) for the most walks drawn in a single inning in team history. They had drawn five free bases three times, but not in seven years: June 10, 2005 vs. Mariners (eighth inning); May 5, 2009 vs. Astros (sixth inning); April 7, 2019 vs. Mets (fifth inning). "You could kind of tell that he was having a hard time in the zone a little bit,” said Crews. “Even if he throws something in the zone, don't get too excited because you just want to keyhole him as much as you can. We all know he's a great pitcher. It just wasn't his day today. So it was a good inning for us."