Juan Soto, Nelson Cruz pound Mets' Tylor Megill early, Nationals win

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Nationals manager Dave Martinez had seen encouraging signs from Nelson Cruz, who was signed in the offseason to provide veteran muscle behind Juan Soto but has struggled thus far. Soto said Cruz's consistently positive attitude has buoyed the team during its difficult start.

Both were thrilled to see what Cruz did on Wednesday night, a no-doubt three-run blast to left-center field as the Nationals jumped on Tylor Megill and the first-place New York Mets in an 8-3 victory.

"It was a long way," Soto said of Cruz's homer, which traveled an estimated 436 feet. "It's great to see him hitting the ball like that."

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Washington Nationals' Juan Soto hits a two-run homer during the first inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets at Nationals Park, Wednesday, May 11, 2022, in Washington.  (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Soto hit a two-run homer in the Nationals' five-run first inning as Washington sent Megill to the earliest exit of his career.

"He's got a pretty good fastball. I know he's going to throw it," Soto said. "He threw me four in a row, and I won't let him throw me five in a row by me."

Cruz, who came in batting .170 with three homers, followed in the second with his 453rd career longball, passing Carl Yastrzemski for 39th all-time.

Megill (4-2) walked the next batter and his night was over. He recorded four outs while allowing eight runs on eight hits with a walk and a hit batter, losing his second straight start as his ERA swelled from 2.43 to 4.41. The second-year right-hander's previous shortest outing came Sept. 15, when he allowed six runs in three innings in a loss to St. Louis.

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