Stone Garrett homers in return to majors as Nationals rout Phillies, 9-1

WASHINGTON (AP) — Stone Garrett homered in his first major league plate appearance in more than a year in a three-hit, three-RBI effort and the Washington Nationals ended a four-game losing streak with a 9-1 win over the Philadelphia Phillies on Friday night.

Luis García Jr., Juan Yepez and Jacob Young each had three hits and Keibert Ruiz drove in three for Washington, which beat Philadelphia for only the third time in 11 meetings this season. It was the most runs the Nationals have scored in a game since scoring nine at Baltimore on Aug. 13.

Washington’s Trevor Williams (6-1) struck out five in five shutout innings and allowed three hits and two walks as he lowered his ERA to 2.03 over 13 starts.

Ranger Suárez (12-8) closed his regular season by allowing six runs in two innings for Philadelphia, which has already clinched the NL East and a playoff bye.

“He wasn’t the only one who was rough tonight,” Philadelphia manager Rob Thomson said. “It wasn’t vintage Phillie baseball, that’s for sure.”

The Phillies fell two games the behind the Los Angeles Dodgers for the top seed in the National League. The Dodgers beat Colorado 11-4 on Friday night.

The 28-year-old Garrett hadn’t played in the majors since breaking his left leg while trying to rob the New York Yankees’ DJ LeMahieu of a home run on Aug. 23, 2023. He was recalled from Triple-A Rochester on Tuesday and didn’t play in three games against Kansas City before serving as the designated hitter against the left-handed Suárez.

With Washington already up 1-0 on Yepez’s RBI single, Garrett ripped a 72 mph curveball 431 feet into the left-field seats that brought in Yepez. Garrett yelled as he approached first base as part of a gleeful trip around the bases.

“It was all released before I touched first base,” Garrett said. “I don’t even know the word to describe it, but rounding the bases, I blacked out. You’re rehabbing, trying to get back to where I was before I got injured, just being able to compete at the level I knew I could compete at. It was pent-up emotions.”

Suárez also gave up Young’s RBI single while throwing 42 pitches in the first inning. Ruiz added a two-run single in the second.

Suárez, who earned his first All-Star appearance this year, is 2-3 with a 5.74 ERA in seven starts since returning from a back injury Aug. 24.

“I’m not concerned about his health, but the stuff was down tonight,” Thomson said. “I think everyone saw that. I think the last two years, the final start of his season wasn’t very good, kind of similar to this. Maybe he needs a little bit of time off, which he’ll get, and then pick it up with adrenaline in the playoffs.”

Garrett made it 7-0 with a run-scoring single off Tyler Gilbert in the fourth. He also doubled off José Ruiz to lead off the seventh.

“I’m so happy for him,” Washington manager Dave Martinez said. “He worked really hard to get back. For him to go out there and do what he did today was amazing.”

Philadelphia’s Austin Hays homered off Tanner Rainey in the eighth.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Nationals: Washington recalled RHP Jackson Rutledge from and optioned LHP DJ Herz to the team’s Florida Complex League affiliate.

UP NEXT

Philadelphia RHP Zack Wheeler (16-7, 2.56 ERA), who is 2-0 with a 2.03 ERA in two starts against Washington this season, faces Nationals LHP MacKenzie Gore (10-12, 4.04) on Saturday.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB

Chicago White Sox's Garrett Crochet pitches against the Detroit Tigers during the second inning of a baseball game Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

Chicago White Sox's Garrett Crochet pitches against the Detroit Tigers during the second inning of a baseball game Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

Washington Nationals' Stone Garrett gestures after hitting a double and sliding into second base while avoiding the tag from Philadelphia Phillies second baseman Bryson Stott during the seventh inning of a baseball game, Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)

Philadelphia Phillies' Austin Hays (9) is tagged out by Washington Nationals catcher Keibert Ruiz while attempting to steal home during the third inning of a baseball game, Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)

Washington Nationals' Dylan Crews slides into second base after hitting a double against Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Ranger Suárez and avoids the tag from second base Bryson Stott during the first inning of a baseball game, Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)

Washington Nationals' Nasim Nuñez steals second base and avoids the tag from Philadelphia Phillies second baseman Bryson Stott during the third inning of a baseball game, Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)

Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Trea Turner throws to first base for an out on a ball hit by Washington Nationals' Jacob Young during the third inning of a baseball game, Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)

Washington Nationals' Dylan Crews runs to score on a single hit by Juan Yepez off Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Ranger Suárez during the first inning of a baseball game, Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)

Philadelphia Phillies second baseman Bryson Stott attempts to turn a double play as Washington Nationals' Keibert Ruiz slides into second base on a ball hit by Stone Garrett during the second inning of a baseball game, Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)

Washington Nationals pitcher Trevor Williams throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)

Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Ranger Suárez throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)

Washington Nationals' Stone Garrett hits a home run against Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Ranger Suárez during the first inning of a baseball game, Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)

Washington Nationals' Stone Garrett, left, is doused by teammates after defeating the Philadelphia Phillies in a baseball game, Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)

DENVER (AP) — Shohei Ohtani hit his 54th homer of the season, a towering three-run shot, after stealing his 57th base earlier in the game and the NL West-champion Los Angeles Dodgers powered past the Colorado Rockies 11-4 on Friday night.

The Dodgers designated hitter finished 4 of 5, which also included a pair of singles and a double, and drove in four runs. He now has 24 hits over his last 34 at-bats.

Ohtani is making a serious charge at a Triple Crown, leading the NL in homers (54) and RBIs (130). He raised his average to .309 to trail only Luis Arráez (.312 entering Friday) in the batting-title race.

With his swipe of second base in the second inning, Ohtani passed Ichiro Suzuki for the most stolen bases in a single season by a Japanese-born player. Ohtani was wearing spikes featuring a picture of his dog, Decoy.

Ohtani's three-run blast in the sixth inning landed in the second deck at Coors Field. It was a no-doubter at the crack of the bat, with the sellout crowd instantly erupting, an early show before the fireworks display that awaited after the game.

His 408 total bases this season are second-most in franchise history. Babe Herman set the record of 416 in 1930.

Teoscar Hernández got things started for Los Angeles with a two-run homer in the first. Andy Pages also homered for the Dodgers, who arrived in town fresh off clinching their third straight division title Thursday. The Dodgers moved two games up on the Philadelphia Phillies for the top seed in the NL.

Ben Casparius (2-0) picked up the win for Los Angeles, going 4 1/3 innings, in a game where the Dodgers started reliever Ryan Brasier.

Cal Quantrill (8-11) struggled against the Dodgers' potent lineup, allowing six runs and two homers over 3 1/3 innings.

The Rockies have now dropped 99 games this season. At 61-99, they need to win their final two games to avoid back-to-back 100-loss seasons.

It was a fortunate coincidence the second-base bag needed to be replaced as Charlie Blackmon stepped up to the plate in the first inning. The switch allowed his walk-up song “Your Love” by The Outfield to play a little bit longer. The designated hitter/outfielder known for his bushy beard announced Monday he's retiring after 14 seasons — all with the Rockies.

The organization will honor him before Sunday's season finale. Blackmon had a single and two walks Friday.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Dodgers: 1B Freddie Freeman didn’t make the trip to Colorado so he could rest a sore ankle. Freeman was on crutches and in a walking boot after leaving Thursday's game. The Dodgers also left SS Miguel Rojas at home due to a torn adductor.

UP NEXT

The Dodgers will send righty Yoshinobu Yamamoto (6-2, 2.96 ERA) to the mound Saturday night. The Rockies counter with righty Antonio Senzatela (0-0, 3.38).

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB

Colorado Rockies' Charlie Blackmon scores on a triple hit by Ezequiel Tovar off Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Ryan Brasier in the first inning of a baseball game, Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani stretches before the first inning of a baseball game against the Colorado Rockies Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Los Angeles Dodgers' Gavin Lux, left, congratulates Teoscar Hernández as he crosses home plate after hitting a two-run home run off Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Cal Quantrill in the first inning of a baseball game, Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Los Angeles Dodgers' Teoscar Hernández gestures to the bullpen as he circles the bases after hitting a two-run home run off Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Cal Quantrill in the first inning of a baseball game Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani, left, gestures as he circles the bases after hitting a three-run home run off Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Anthony Molina in the sixth inning of a baseball game, Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani heads up the first base line after hitting a three-run home run off Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Anthony Molina in the sixth inning of a baseball game Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani steals second base in the second inning of a baseball game against the Colorado Rockies, Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Decoy, the dog of Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani, adorns the spike of Ohtani as he steps on first base after hitting an RBI single off Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Cal Quantrill in the second inning of a baseball game, Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani steals second base in the second inning of a baseball game against the Colorado Rockies, Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani singles off Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Anthony Molina in the fourth inning of a baseball game Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani tosses his bat as he heads up the first base line after hitting a three-run home urn off Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Anthony Molina in the sixth inning of a baseball game Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani gestures to the bullpen as he circles the bases after hitting a three-run home run off Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Anthony Molina in the sixth inning of a baseball game Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)