The incredible story of Washington Nationals outfielder Joey Meneses continues. The 30-year-old rookie delivered on Thursday with a walk-off, three-run homer to lift the Nationals over the Oakland Athletics in 10 innings.
The Nationals were down to their last out, trailing 5-4 with two runners on base. That’s when Meneses blasted an 86 mph slider from Athletics reliever Norge Ruiz over the scoreboard in right center for the Nationals’ first walk-off of the season.
CABAJOEY WALK-OFF pic.twitter.com/sDRr8cYMr4
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) September 2, 2022
If you’re not familiar with the story of Joey Meneses, here’s a tidbit. Meneses spent 10 years playing between minor league baseball, Mexico and Japan before the Nationals called him up on Aug. 2 following the Juan Soto trade.
He homered in his first game and has never looked back. Meneses had four hits in six at-bats on Thursday against the A's. That walk-off blast was his 35th through 25 games. He now holds the Nationals’ record for most hits in the first 25 games of a career.
Nationals catcher Trea Barrera serenaded Meneses with a Gatorade bath after the game.
MENESES MADNESS pic.twitter.com/U03NS9g762
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) September 2, 2022
Meneses is hitting .354/.385/.626 with seven home runs and 15 RBI.
He’s become the Nationals’ main attraction in the wake of Soto being traded to the San Diego Padres last month.
If I told you at 4 p.m. on Aug. 2 that the Nationals’ everyday right fielder would have a .354 batting average and 1.011 OPS one month later …
— Mark Zuckerman (@MarkZuckerman) September 2, 2022
Meneses has taken full advantage of his first opportunity in the majors. His start is historic.
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