Max Scherzer may have proved that the Washington Nationals' pitching was a real deal Saturday, but the club's bats refused to be overshadowed Sunday against the Pittsburgh Pirates. The team set a new franchise record, scoring nine runs in the first inning.
Charlie Morton started the inning strong, picking up a lineout against leadoff hitter Denard Span for the first out of the game. After that, things started going downhill.
Yunel Escobar kicked off the Nationals' run with a single. Bryce Harper, as he's done all season, followed that up with a two-run blast to right field. It was Harper's 24th home run of the season.
Clint Robinson would start a new rally, doubling against Morton. Danny Espinosa struck out, putting Morton just one out away from ending the frame.
He couldn't do it. Jose Lobaton singled in Robinson during the next at-bat. Ian Desmond would follow that up with a single of his own, putting two men on base. Michael Taylor made it three in a row, singling home a run.
That brought up Gio Gonzalez. With men on first and third, Gonzalez managed to help his own cause. The pitcher doubled to right field, plating both runs. That would bring up Span once again.
This time, Span reached on a walk. Escobar then followed that up with a three-run homer to left. That hit would signal the end of the day for Morton.
In just 2/3 of an inning, Morton allowed nine runs on eight hits. He struck out one and walked one during the outing. Morton also allowed two home runs.
Vance Worley would enter the game to face Harper. Worley would come out on top, picking up the strikeout to finally end the inning.
When the dust had settled, the Nationals had put up nine runs in the first inning, setting a new franchise record. The performance ties the club's record for runs scored in any inning.
Surprisingly, the Nationals would not score again. Not surprisingly, nine runs was more than enough for the victory. The team came away with the 9-2 win, all of it due to their first inning rally.
With the win, the team is now 37-33, and leads the National League East. Between the offensive breakout and Scherzer's performance Saturday, the Nationals had themselves quite the weekend.
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