After thrilling come-from-behind win, Nationals look to secure the series vs. Blue Jays

Toronto Blue Jays (15–18) vs. Washington Nationals (16–16)

RHP Kevin Gausman (1–3, 4.50) | RHP Jake Irvin (2–2, 4.28)

Saturday, May 4, 2024 l 4:05 p.m. ET l Game #33 / Home #14

Nationals Park | Washington, D.C.

TV: MASN | Radio: 106.7 FM / DC 87.7 FM & La Pantera 100.7 FM (Spanish)

@Nationals — @NationalsComms — @Nats_PlayerDev — Nationals.com — NationalsPressBox.com

PINCH ME!

Trailing 3–1 heading into the bottom of the seventh inning, the Nationals put two batters on before Luis García Jr. crushed his first career pinch-hit home run to put the Nationals ahead, 4–3…Washington went on to add four runs in the eighth to claim the 9–3 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays.

• Including his homer and walk on Friday, García Jr. has reached base safely in 12 straight games and has hit safely in 11 of the 12 (.310/.383/.405).
• The Nationals are 14–10 (.583) and with a win on Saturday or Sunday, would record their fifth series win in their last eight series since April 7.
• After the three-game series, the Nationals will host the Baltimore Orioles for a two-game series starting Tuesday.

START ME UP

During this 24-game stretch since April 7, Washington’s starting rotation ranks sixth in the National League with a 3.46 ERA…The starting five boasts a 3.06 ERA in 15 games since April 17.

• On the season, Nationals starters have allowed just 11 home runs, tied for the fewest in Major League Baseball with the New York Mets and ahead of the Boston Red Sox (12).

WHAT A RELIEF

Washington’s bullpen boasts several relievers atop the leaderboards:

• Kyle Finnegan is tied for second in Major League lead with 10 saves and is sixth among National League relievers with a .136 opponents’ average…He has allowed just one baserunner (0-for-22, BB) over his last eight outings (8.0 IP), a win and six converted saves.
• Hunter Harvey is tied for first in Major League Baseball with 11 holds, while his 22 strikeouts are third among National League relievers.
• Dylan Floro ranks third in the National League with a .167 opponents’ slugging percentage and third with a 0.57 ERA.
• Derek Law’s 20 strikeouts are tied for fifth among National League relievers.

STARTS AT THE TOP

CJ Abrams has reached safely in 18 of his last 19 games and has hit safely in 17 of the 19…He is hitting .286/.368/.597 with six doubles, three triples, four homers, 10 RBI, eight walks, two hit by pitch, four stolen bases and 17 runs scored during this stretch.

• Among NL shortstops, Abrams leads in triples, is second in homers and third in slugging and OPS.
• Abrams is fourth in Major League Baseball (1st among left-handed batters) with a .707 slugging percentage (2 2B, 2 3B, 3 HR) against left-handed pitching.