Max Scherzer strikes out Vladimir Guerrero Jr. almost exactly 10 years after striking out his dad

The Nationals’ first encounter with the new extra innings rule was a favorable one.

Washington started the inning with Emilio Bonifacio on second base under the new format. The Nats’ leadoff hitter in the inning, Carter Kieboom, drew a walk in an impressive at-bat. Andrew Stevenson also walked, loading the bases with no outs.

However, quickly, Nationals went from bases loaded with no outs, to bases loaded with two outs after Victor Robles and Trea Turner turned in back-to-back strikeouts. With Washington down to their final out, Adam Eaton slapped a grounder up the middle, which led to a controversial play at second base.

Toronto second baseman Cavan Biggio fielded the ball, quickly spun and dove at the second base bag, hoping to beat Stevenson to the base for the final out. Yet, by just a hair, Stevenson got there first and Washington was on the board.

Next, Nats infielder Asdrubal Cabrera stepped to the plate with the potential to blow the game open. He did just that.

Cabrera ripped a bases-clearing triple down the first baseline, and all of a sudden, Washington held a 4-0 lead.

The Nats would not score again after that, but the four-spot in the ninth was more than enough of a cushion for Washington reliever Tanner Rainey. The Blue Jays would not score in the bottom half of the inning as Washington would go on to earn a much-needed victory.

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