Soto homers twice, boosts average to .325, Nats beat Reds

CINCINNATI (AP) — National League batting leader Juan Soto homered in consecutive innings, and the Washington Nationals pushed the Cincinnati Reds further from playoff contention with a 3-2 win Thursday night in the opener of a four-game series.

Seeking his second straight NL batting title, Soto raised his average to .325 with a three-hit night and is four points ahead of the Los Angeles' Dodgers Trea Turner. Soto's former Nationals teammate had a three-hit game at Colorado.

Soto led off the sixth against Luis Castillo with an opposite-field drive to left that bounced off the top of the wall and into the stands. He homered to the opposite field again in the seventh for his 29th homer and third in two nights.

“I always enjoy matchups with hitters like Soto," Castillo said through an interpreter. "It is part of the game. I always enjoy it.”

Soto, who turns 23 on Oct. 25, has 11 multihomer games, one behind Eddie Mathews for the most before a player's 23rd birthday.

“He doesn’t give at-bats away," manager Dave Martinez said. "He works counts and stays on the ball. He comes ready to play. I definitely think he should be considered for MVP. The numbers he’s putting up are incredible.”

“He’s showing his teammates that he comes every day to win baseball games. He wants to do that. It’s fun to watch him.”

Patrick Corbin (9-15) allowed four hits in 6 2/3 shutout innings with seven strikeouts and four walks as last-place Washington won for the fourth time in five games.

“I worked on a couple of things in my bullpen and when I was throwing every day, like throwing over my leg more and throwing quality strikes," Corbin said. "It was just a good step. Hopefully, I can finish the season with another good one and take it into the offseason.”

Mason Thompson finished the seventh,...

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/Soto-homers-twice-boosts-average-to-325-Nats-16483635.php