WASHINGTON (AP) — Juan Soto hit a three-run homer and the Washington Nationals beat the Philadelphia Phillies 9-3 Sunday to avoid a five-game sweep.
Washington ended an eight-game skid and snapped Philadelphia’s seven-game road winning streak.
The Phillies haven’t swept a five-game series since pummeling the Marlins in 2001 at home.
Nats starter Jackson Tetreault (1-1) earned his first major league victory in his second appearance. The 26-year-old right-hander gave up three unearned runs over seven innings, with two walks, six hits and two strikeouts.
“He threw a gem (Sunday),” Nationals manager Dave Martinez said.
Tetreault was hit on the inside of his lower left shin by a 105.7 mph comebacker by Matt Vierling in the seventh. Athletic trainer Paul Lessard and Martinez checked on Tetreault, who remained in the game after an extended delay. He finished the inning before walking to the dugout with a slight limp.
A black wrap covered his lower shin postgame. The pain did not deter his joy from his first win, which came with his father and family in the stands on Father’s Day.
“It’s awesome,” Tetreault said. “Hopefully many more to come.”
A few baseballs from the outing will go home with his parents.
Soto’s first-pitch, three-run homer in the second ran counter to his problems with runners in scoring position this season. He entered Saturday’s game with a .476 OPS with men on second or third. Only one of his previous 13 homers was hit with runners in scoring position.
“It’s like a flush,” Soto said of the homer after struggling. “You flush your mind, your body, everything. You feel amazing. Your work’s coming through.”
Maikel Franco’s sixth homer of the season put Washington up 8-3 in the fifth. Washington shortstop Luis…
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