Gore takes the mound in rubber match vs. Blue Jays

Toronto Blue Jays (16–18) vs. Washington Nationals (16–17)

RHP Alek Manoah (0–0, -. — ) | LHP MacKenzie Gore (2–3, 3.19)

Sunday, May 5, 2024 | 1:35 p.m. ET | Game #34 / Home #15

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

SERIES BUSINESS

The Washington Nationals and Toronto Blue Jays close out this three-game weekend set with a rubber match on Sunday afternoon…The Nationals fell to the Blue Jays, 6–3, on Saturday.

• The Nationals are 14–11 (.560) and with a win on Sunday, would record their fifth series win in their last eight series since April 7.
• After a day off on Monday, the Nationals will host the Baltimore Orioles for a two-game series starting Tuesday.

LUIS! LUIS!

Luis García Jr. has reached base safely in 13 straight games…It is tied for the fourth-longest active on-base streak in Major League Baseball…He has hit safely in 12 of the 13.

• He is hitting .326/.404/.413 with a double, homer, seven RBI, six walks, four stolen bases and two runs scored during the current streak.
• Garcia Jr.’s best streak is a 20-game run from Aug. 8-Sept. 17, 2022.

COMEBACKS AND SHUTOUTS

The Nationals have 11 comeback victories this season, tied for the most in Major League Baseball…Four of their last six wins have been in come-from-behind fashion.

• On the other hand, Washington has three shutout wins so far this season, matching its total from all of 2023 and one short of the four shutouts in 2022.

START ME UP

During this 25-game stretch since April 7, Washington’s starting rotation ranks fourth in the National League with a 3.33 ERA…The starting five boasts a 2.88 ERA in 16 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).

STARTS AT THE TOP

CJ Abrams has reached safely in 19 of his last 20 games and has hit safely in 18 of the 20…He is hitting .296/.370/.593 with six doubles, three triples, four homers, 11 RBI, eight walks, two hit by pitch, five stolen bases and 17 runs scored during this stretch.

• Among NL shortstops, Abrams leads in triples, is second in homers and slugging, third in OPS and tied for third in stolen bases.
• 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.