Soto gives Nationals win in virus-delayed opener
Juan Soto drove in the winning run with a single on a 3-0 pitch in the bottom of the ninth inning Tuesday, lifting the coronavirus-depleted Washington Nationals to a 6-5 comeback victory over the Atlanta Braves after waiting five days to start their season.
Lefty reliever Will Smith (01) entered for the ninth and promptly gave up a single to new leadoff hitter Victor Robles, and then hit Trea Turner with a pitch. That brought up Soto, the 2020 NL batting champion, and he delivered a line drive to center field.
Turner hit a two-run shot for the Nationals. Daniel Hudson (1-0) got the win.
Because of a COVID-19 outbreak — four players tested positive; seven were forced into quarantine after potentially being exposed — Washington’s first four scheduled games were scrapped.
Akil Baddoo added another big hit in this charmed start to his big league career, lining an RBI single in the 10th inning for Detroit.
YANKEES 7, ORIOLES 2 >> Gerrit Cole struck out 13 and walked none over seven scoreless innings in his most dominant start since joining the Yankees.
REDS 14, PIRATES 1 >> Tyler Naquin homered twice and drove in a career-high seven runs, leading Cincinnati to its fourth straight victory.
The Reds set a franchise record with 46 runs in their first five games. The 1895 and 1976 teams scored 44 runs through five games.
RANGERS TRADE ODOR TO THE YANKEES >> Infielder Rougned Odor was traded Tuesday from the Texas Rangers to the New York Yankees for minor league outfielders Antonio Cabello and Josh Stowers. The 27-year-old Odor did not make the Rangers’ opening day roster and was designated for assignment on April 1.