Washington Nationals: Trea Turner Fuels Team To Much Needed Series Sweep

Trea Turner made MLB history!

Through the first two months of the season, when a Nationals starter allows five or more earn runs, they usually lose. But this no longer seems to be the case. Jon Lester allowed five earned runs through five innings, but the offense led by Trea Turner bailed him out. On a blistering hot day (95 degrees), the offense was even hotter, torching Tampa for 15 runs in a blowout win.

Trea Turner was a man possessed.

On his 28th birthday, Trea Turner was a man on a mission. In the bottom of the first inning down 2-0, Turner got the team started with a one-out single. Juan Soto walked and Josh Bell was able to tie the game with a two-RBI single.

In the third inning down 4-2, he once again helped spark the offense with a one-out double. Like clockwork, Turner would score on a Josh Bell single, cutting Tampa’s lead to one. Washington would end the third inning, with a 6-4 lead and would never fall behind for the rest of the game.

Turner’s third at-bat saw him launch his 14th homer of the season, a solo shot to right-center, putting the Nationals up 7-5. Through three at-bats, Turner was on cycle watch, an accomplishment he hadn’t achieved since 2019.

In the bottom of the sixth inning, Turner launched a deep fly ball that would bounce off the rightfield wall. With his goal in reach, the speedster turned on the jets and was able to leg out a triple, just beating the throw.

At only 28, Turner tied the MLB records for most cycles in a career with three. Turner is now tied with John Reilley, Bob Meusel, Babe Herman, and Adrian Beltre. Something to keep an eye on is Turner jammed his finger diving into third and later left the game.

D.C. was witness to a hit parade!

With Kyle Schwarber having an off night (0-4, 3Ks, HBP, BB) it wasn’t just Trea Turner that stepped up. Against a very dangerous Tampa team, it was all hands on deck and the lineup answered the call. Here is how the rest of the starting lineup responded.

Juan Soto: 3-5. 2 RBIs. 1 BB

Josh Bell: 2-3. 3 RBIs. 2 BBs.

Yan Gomes: 2-4. 1 RBI. 1 BB

Starlin Castro: 2-4. 1 HR. 4 RBIs. 1 BB

Gerardo Parra: 1-5

Jody Mercer: 2-5. 1 HR. 1 RBI.

Note: Josh Harrison entered in the seventh inning and went 2-2, with two RBIs.

Three games into a brutal stretch and the Nationals have outscored their opponents 27-13. This is a promising start with the Dodgers coming into town for a pivotal four-game series.