Now, we know the Washington Nationals mean business. Indeed, they took it to Gerrit Cole and the Houston Astros. After hanging five runs on Cole, they hung on for a stunning 5-4 upset that represents the first World Series win in franchise history.
Equally important, Juan Soto led the act with a home run and three hits; just as we drew it up. In case you missed it, here’s a video of his home run that tied the game off Cole.
Alexa, play "C'mon N' Ride It" by Quad City DJs.
Because Juan Soto just hit baseball onto the train tracks.#ChildishBambino // #STAYINTHEFIGHT pic.twitter.com/Kn4qaBiHa7
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) October 23, 2019
Before that, Ryan Zimmerman proved ageless and broke up Cole’s shutout. Furthermore, he might have proven that Cole is human. Then, the score was 2-1. From there, the Nationals added four more unanswered.
Obviously this included Soto’s blast which went to the opposite field and over the train tracks at Minute Maid Park. Here’s what he had to say about it after the game.
“After the first at-bat, I just said, ‘It’s another baseball game,'” Soto said. “In the first at-bat, I’m not going to lie, I was a little bit shaking in my legs. When I hit it, I knew it was gone and it was going far.”
Now, not many home runs could land in a spot which could shake the momentum of the opposition. However, a 20-year old kid blasting one off a pitcher who hasn’t lost since May in Cole probably provided a small shot in the arm for the Nationals.
Interestingly, Max Scherzer opened as the second biggest underdog of his career as the starting pitcher for Washington.
On Wednesday night, Stephen Strasburg opposes Justin Verlander in a do-or-die game for the Astros. Finally, the question can be asked. Is a major sports upset brewing, or are the Nationals going to fizzle out?