Soto Emerges as World Series Game One Star For The Nationals

Juan Soto (Hunter Martin, Getty Images)

The Washington Nationals continued their hot streak in the 2019 Major League Baseball postseason. On Tuesday at Minute Maid Park, Washington won their seventh straight game as they defeated the American League champion Houston Astros 5-4 in game one of the World Series.

The Nationals were led offensively by left fielder Juan Soto of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. The 20 year old phenom had two extra base hits off of Astros starting pitcher Gerrit Cole. He recorded a 417 foot home run to left center field to lead off the fourth inning to tie the game at two runs apiece and then had a key two-run RBI double with two out in the fourth inning which scored Anthony Rendon and Victor Robles. The double put the Nationals up 5-2.

Soto then collected his third hit of the game with a single off of Astros relief pitcher Will Harris with one out in the eighth inning. Then later in the eighth, Soto showed off his speed as stole second base.

Soto was one of two Nationals players to have a home run and one of two Nationals players to have a stolen base. Trea Turner stole second base after getting on base thanks to an infield single in the first inning and first baseman Ryan Zimmerman hit a home run for Washington in the second inning.

The Nationals and Astros meet again on Wednesday for game two of the World Series. It will be challenging for Houston to stop Washington’s momentum at the moment. On the mound, the Nationals will go with Stephen Strasburg, and the Astros will counter with Justin Verlander.