The Washington Nationals waited an extra five days to start their season but they certainly made it count.
Playing in front of their home fans for the first time since winning the 2019 World Series, the Nationals appeared to reignite some of that magic against a division rival.
Juan Soto, a potential MVP candidate this season, won the game for the Nationals in the bottom of the ninth by ripping an RBI single into center field to bring home Victor Robles for a 6-5 win over the Atlanta Braves.
It was the Natioanls’ first Opening Day walk-off win since 2008 when Ryan Zimmerman provided the heroics.
Prior to the game, the Nationals re-raised their 2019 World Series banner because they missed the chance to do it in front of fans last year.
But things took a turn from there, as Ronald Acuna blasted the first pitch of the game from Max Scherzer for a home run and Freddie Freeman did the same two pitches later.
Scherzer struggled, allowing four solo home runs – two to Acuna – but still gave Washington six innings and struck out nine.
With the game tied at 5 in the ninth, Soto worked a 3-0 count but was in no mood taking a pitch.
“Oh hell no,” he said. “I’m swinging the whole time. I’m swinging. If you throw it right there I’m gonna swing.”
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