Adams announces presence early (Nats win 4-2)

By Byron Kerr

Nationals

June 05, 2018, 3:59pm

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Matt Adams fouled a ball off the top of his foot over the weekend in Atlanta. It was a play that looked eerily similar to the injury that kept Anthony Rendon out of the lineup for 14 games, there some worried that the big first baseman would be out for a while himself.

Adams announced to anyone who cared that he is just fine, thank you, by getting hold of a second-inning offering from Rays starter Nathan Eovaldi and sending it over the right field wall. Adams' 13th homer of the season came on a 3-2 pitch.

Juan Soto and Michael A. Taylor singled to put runners on the corners. A Wilmer Difo fielder's choice scored Soto, who slid under the tag of former Nats catcher Wilson Ramos.

Nats right-hander Max Scherzer has allowed one hit and struck out four in three scoreless frames.

After three innings, the Nats lead 2-0.

Update: Soto walked to begin the bottom of the fourth. He scored on a one-out triple by Difo. Difo came home on an Eovaldi wild pitch. Soto has a base hit, a walk and two runs. Difo has two RBIs.

After four innings, the Nats lead 4-0.

Update II: In the eighth, pinch-hitter Brad Miller delivered a two-run double. Scherzer struck out the side.

Mid-eighth, the Nats lead the Rays 4-2.

Update III: Scherzer struck out 13 over eight innings, allowing two runs on five hits with no walks. He threw 99 pitches, 81 for strikes. Sean Doolittle retired the side in the ninth for his 15th save.

Final score: The Nats 4, the Rays 2.