WASHINGTON – Washington Nationals outfielder Juan Soto has won the last two National League Rookie of the Month awards and he is making a strong case for his third.
Soto turned in his second multi-hit performance of the day in the nightcap of Saturday’s doubleheader against the Cincinnati Reds, going 2-for-4 with a walk and three runs scored as Washington (56-54) earned a split with a 6-2 victory.
Cincinnati (49-62) won the day game 7-1. Soto went 2-for-4 in that contest.
The Nationals hope Soto continues to hit in the final contest of the four-game series against the Reds on Sunday.
“For me, it’s just come here and play,” Soto told mlb.com. “If I miss in the first one, I’m going to get them in the second one. I think like that, so I have two chances to get on base and help my team.”
Over his last 10 games, Soto is hitting .342 with three doubles, one triple, three home runs, six RBIs and 14 runs scored. His 19 multi-hit games this season are tied for third among National League rookies, and Soto has yet to go more than two consecutive games this season without getting a hit.
The Nationals may be without Bryce Harper for Sunday’s finale. He left in the seventh inning of the nightcap a half inning after he was hit just below the right kneecap with a Mason Williams curveball. The injury was described as a stinger, but Harper’s status for Sunday was uncertain.
Harper ran the bases in the sixth but was limping in the outfield in the seventh and was replaced by Adam Eaton.
“I was just in pain,” Harper told mlb.com. “There was no point in being out there.”
Ryan Madson hit Reds star Joey Votto on the knee with a fastball in the eighth. Votto was visibly upset as he made his way to first. He did not address reporters after the game.
“It appeared (intentional),” Reds manager Jim Riggleman told the Cincinnati Enquirer. “The only person who knows is the person who threw the pitch. It is what it is.”
For his part, Madson told reporters after the game that he did not intend to hit Votto.
Reds right-hander Luis Castillo (6-8, 4.98 ERA) opposes Tanner Roark (5-12, 4.37) on Sunday.
Castillo has been on a roll, allowing two earned runs or fewer in four of his last five starts. Last time out he threw seven shutout innings in a 4-0 win over the Phillies on July 29. He allowed four hits, struck out nine and walked one.
“He’s got a really, really special arm,” Reds catcher Curt Casali told the Enquirer about Castillo. “You can ask anyone in here, that’s probably the last guy I would want to face.
“He was really attacking today. I’m proud of him for it. Not that he ever shies away from contact, but he was fearless today.”
In his only start against Washington this season, Castillo was roughed up on March 31, allowing six runs on six hits over five innings. He is 0-2 with a 6.19 ERA in three career starts against the Nationals.
There’s one safe best Sunday: Roark won’t get the same run support he got last time out. He turned in his second straight strong start in Washington’s 25-4 demolition of the New York Mets on Tuesday. Roark allowed a run on four hits over seven innings and drove in three runs with a bases-loaded double.
Roark is 2-2 with 3.73 ERA in seven career starts against the Reds, but has not faced them this season.
