Soto’s 2-run double carries Nationals past Orioles 4-2
WASHINGTON (AP) — Juan Soto hit a tiebreaking two-run double in the eighth inning, and the Washington Nationals beat the Baltimore Orioles 4-2 Thursday night in the deciding matchup of a three-game interleague series between neighboring rivals.
Anthony Rendon homered for the Nationals, who received seven strong innings from starter Max Scherzer and flawless work from their bullpen.
Bryce Harper led off the eighth with a double off Mychal Givens (0-4) and Trea Turner followed with a single.
After Rendon struck out, Soto hit a liner into the gap in left-center.
Soto, a 19-year-old rookie, is batting .326 with 16 RBIs in 28 games.
Newcomer Kelvin Herrera (1-0) pitched a 1-2-3 eighth inning and Sean Doolittle got three straight outs for his 20th save in 21 tries.
Seeking to end a rare run of two straight losses, Scherzer left a tied game after allowing two runs — both on solo homers — and striking out nine.
Activated from the 60day disabled list before the game, Colby Rasmus homered for the Orioles in his first at-bat since April 6. In addition, he made an outstanding throw from right field to the plate, nailing Wilmer Difo on a tag-up play in the seventh inning with the score tied.
Mark Trumbo also homered for Baltimore, his sixth of the season and third in four games.
Baltimore starter Kevin Gausman gave up two runs and four hits over six innings.
The right-hander was lifted with the score tied, leaving him winless in his last seven starts.
Rasmus put the Orioles up 1-0 in the second with his first home run since June 2017 with Tampa Bay.
Signed as a free agent in February, Rasmus played in eight games with Baltimore before being sidelined with a hip injury.
After Harper tied it with a third-inning sacrifice fly, Trumbo led off the fourth with a drive to right-center.
Rendon connected in the sixth to make it 2-2, and the Nationals took their first lead in the eighth.
Washington won the season series 5-1.