By Jenny Masters
Trea Turner singled in the first inning and scored on Josh Bell’s three-run homer that put the Nats ahead to stay, but their shortstop was then pulled from the game because of a positive COVID-19 test and never played defense in a 6-4 win.
Juan Soto hit another three-run homer for the Nationals in the second.
After Turner got his one-out hit, he moved to third on a single by Soto before Bell hit his 16th homer. Turner then went back to the dugout, and directly down the tunnel toward the clubhouse, never taking the field in the bottom of the inning.
“I found out right after he scored,” manager Dave Martinez said. “I had to pull him right out of the game. He’s got to get isolated right away. Now, he’ll get tested and from there we’ll see what happens.”
Josh Harrison doubled and had two hits for the Nationals, who snapped a five-game losing streak but still have won only twice in their past 15 games.
While Turner will miss time because of MLB’s COVID-19 protocols, the Nationals will be without right-hander Stephen Strasburg the rest of the season. Martinez said before the game that the pitcher would have season-ending neck surgery on Wednesday.
“With all the things we’ve gone through, I’m proud of these guys,” Martinez said. “They don’t quit.”
Be the first to comment