Juan Soto breaks Nats’ walk record before launching two home runs

Soto surpassed Bryce Harper, who drew 130 walks in the 2018 season, his final with the Nationals.

After a two-out single in his second at-bat, Soto delivered fireworks, hitting two home runs to follow his record-setting walk.

The first blast, Soto battled back from a 0-2 count to get the count to 2-2 before lifting a sinker 368 feet opposite field for his 28th home run of the season. 

The homer extended Washington’s lead to 2-0 in the sixth. He didn’t wait long to hit No. 29. 

Soto again went opposite field, launching a full-count fastball.

The Nationals hung on for the 3-2 win. The win was the 64th of the season for the last-placed Nats. But, Soto has continued to state his case as the NL MVP. 

Soto reached base in all four of his plate appearances, finishing with two solo home runs, a single and a walk. He has now reached base at least four times in 24 games this season. Only, Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Ted Williams and Barry Bonds have had more such games in a season, according to Mark Zuckerman of MASN Sports.

His last 10 plate appearances have exemplified how great he has been down the stretch.

The 22-year old is on the heels of his second straight NL batting title, hitting .325 by night’s end with a .470 on-base percentage. In a season that went south for Washington, Soto continues to soar and rise above the sulk surrounding the rest of the team.