The 31 runs scored ranks tied for the second-most runs scored to open the 2026 regular season and most through four games in franchise history since 1974
Don't look now, but the Washington Nationals' offense is hot to open the 2026 season.
Through four games, the Nationals have scored 31 runs, the most in franchise history since the team tallied 34 back in 1974. The team has now registered at least ten runs in two of their first four games coming off a 13-2 win on Monday night.
The 31 runs ranks tied for with the Milwaukee Brewers to lead all of baseball, while Washington also ranks top five in hits (43), home runs (5), RBIs (29) and batting average (.299).
Monday's win also featured the first for Foster Griffin in his regular season debut with the Nationals, tossing five strikeouts and allowing a pair of earned runs and five hits in five innings.
But the surprising catalyst to the offense has been outfielder Joey Wiemer, who continued making MLB history on Monday night. One day after tying the longest streak to reach base in consecutive at bats to start a tenure with a team, Wiemer continued his hot start after reaching base in his first two at bats. That pushed him into a tie with Carlos Delgado for the most consecutive plate appearances reaching safely to open a season since 1951. The streak would end at ten, though, after opening the fifth inning with a grounder to the pitcher followed by a fly out to right field to open the seventh before walking in his final at bat to become part of a four-run ninth inning.
It's been an unexpected, yet welcomed development for Washington after Dylan Crews was sent to Triple A to open the regular season while James Wood's solo home run in Sunday's win helps to mask his nine strikeouts through four games. But it hasn't been only Wiemer who has stepped up.
The Nationals would blow the game open early with a four run first inning kicked off by a James Wood walk followed by a Luis Garcia Jr double, setting up Daylen Lile with the sacrifice RBI on a fielders choice. CJ Abrams and Jose Tena followed it up with singles into left field in consecutive at bats, putting Washington up 3-0, before Jorbit Vivas brought CJ Abrams home on a sac fly to centerfield.
Joey Wiemer kept his hot streak alive after reaching first on an infield single for his first hit of the night, followed up by a single into center field in the third inning to take sole possession of the MLB record after reaching base in his first ten consecutive at bats with the Nationals.
Drew Millas added another run in the second inning before a pair of grounders into fielder's choices pushed it to a 7-0 game.
The four runs in the ninth inning were added insurance runs, but maybe the most impressive play of the early season came to close the top of the sixth inning and Jorbit Vivas baited the Phillies with runners on the corners, leading to the attempted force out at second to allow Jose Tena to cross the plate, making it 9-2 to extend a disappointing start for Philadelphia. Butera ball at its finest.
Washington will look to stay hot when PJ Poulin takes the mound for a 6:40 PM opening pitch in game two against the Phillies on Tuesday with Friday's home opener against the Los Angeles Dodgers looming.