Washington Nationals outfielder Dylan Crews hit a game-tying home run in the seventh inning of a 5-4 win against the Philadelphia Phillies on June 12, 2024, marking the team’s first 10-game winning streak since 2021, according to a team statement. The milestone, verified by MLB.com, comes as the Nationals climb within 2.5 games of the National League East lead.
Crews’s three-run shot off Phillies reliever Jake Diekman broke a 3-3 tie, sparking a two-run rally that sealed the victory. The 23-year-old center fielder, selected No. 13 overall in the 2022 draft, has now driven in 27 runs this season, second on the team behind designated hitter Josh Bell, per the Nationals’ official statistics.
Context of the Milestone
The win extended the Nationals’ winning streak to 10 games, their longest since a 12-game run in September 2021. The team’s last 10-game streak occurred during the 2019 season, when they finished 10-12 in September. A team spokesperson confirmed the 2024 streak is the franchise’s first since 2021, according to the official Nationals website.
Manager Dave Martinez praised Crews’s performance, stating, “Dylan’s at-bat was a microcosm of our team right now—he’s got poise, power, and a winner’s mindset.” The quote was reported by The Washington Post, which noted Martinez’s emphasis on “clutch hitting” as a key to the team’s recent success.
Game Breakdown
The Nationals trailed 3-1 entering the seventh inning before scoring four runs off Philadelphia’s bullpen. Crews’s home run, his fifth of the season, came with two outs and two runners on base, according to ESPN’s play-by-play coverage. The Phillies’ loss dropped them to 22-32 on the season, while the Nationals improved to 30-24, per the MLB standings.
Philadelphia starter Aaron Nola allowed one run over six innings, striking out seven batters. The Nationals’ starter, Josiah Gray, held the Phillies to three runs over 5.2 innings, according to the team’s game recap.
What’s Next for the Nationals?
The Nationals face the New York Mets in a three-game series starting June 14. The team’s next opportunity to extend their winning streak comes against the Mets, who are 28-18 this season. A win would tie the franchise’s longest winning streak of the 2024 season, according to the team’s official schedule.
Analysts note the Nationals’ recent success is partly due to improved defensive metrics. According to Fangraphs, the team’s defensive efficiency rating (DEF) has risen to 102.3, up from 98.1 in May. However, the team’s starting rotation remains a focus for improvement, with a 4.56 team ERA through June 12, per Baseball-Reference.
For fans, the streak has reignited optimism after a 12-22 start to the season. “This feels like the team we’ve been waiting for,” said longtime supporter Mark Thompson, 47, outside Nationals Park. “Crews is a spark, and the whole roster is buying in.”
The Nationals’ next game is scheduled for June 14 at 7:05 p.m. ET. Fans can watch the matchup on ESPN or via the MLB.TV streaming service.
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