WASHINGTON — Nationals manager Dave Martinez had seen encouraging signs from Nelson Cruz, who was signed in the offseason to provide veteran muscle behind Juan Soto but has struggled thus far. Soto said Cruz's consistently positive attitude has buoyed the team during its difficult start.
Both were thrilled to see what Cruz did on Wednesday night, a no-doubt three-run blast to left-center field as the Nationals jumped on Tylor Megill and the first-place New York Mets in an 8-3 victory.
"It was a long way," Soto said of Cruz's homer, which traveled an estimated 436 feet.