With a three-run blast off Miami Marlins’ starter Robert Dugger in the fourth inning of last night’s game, Washington Nationals’ second baseman Asdrúbal Cabrera drove in his 31st, 32nd, and 33rd runs in 30 games since he joined the Nats after getting released by Texas back on August 3rd.
Cabrera’s 2 for 3 night left him 32 for 104 (.308 AVG) in those 30 games (and 26 starts) for the Nationals.
“Unbelievable,” Trea Turner said when asked about his double play partner’s contributions since joining the team.
“I don’t know the stats, but I’m pretty sure the RBIs are off the charts, and it just seems like every time there’s a clutch at bat that we need he comes through, and just a professional. I feel like the veterans we have on this team are just professionals, and sometimes I don’t know if they get enough credit because now the thing is to be young and do all sorts of stuff, but just the at bats that him, Howie [Kendrick], even [Ryan Zimmerman] that last at bat, [Tayron Guerrero] throwing 100 and coming into the game and putting a good swing on the ball, I think that’s just what we’re all about.”
Turner homered twice in the game, connecting for his 15th and 16th home runs of the year, both solo shots, and Victor Robles brought in a run with a single before getting thrown out trying to take an extra base on the play.
With the three home runs on the night, the 2019 Nationals have 218 on the season, setting a new franchise (Montreal/Washington) mark for home runs in a season with Turner’s first of the night topping the previous high of 215 HRs hit by the 2017 Nationals.
“We had a couple big home runs,” Manager Davey Martinez told reporters after the win.
“Cabby with the big homer, three-run homer, the bats came alive there and scored just enough runs to win.”
“It’s always good when you score more than the other team,” Martinez added when asked about winning one with long balls, but also stringing together hits at some points.
“Cabby had big at bats all night,” he continued, “... swung the bat well again, Trea, two big home runs, and [Robles], you know, just puts the ball in play right there, and we get a big run out of that too, so I mean, just a good night.”
HERE’S THE NATS’ LINEUP FOR TONIGHT’S GAME WITH THE MARLINS:
Stephen Strasburg in 4 starts against Miami:
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) September 21, 2019
30.1 IP
4-0
1.19 ERA
0.560 WHIP
43 Ks#Strasmas // #STAYINTHEFIGHT pic.twitter.com/n1YDG4jnE0