Early surge, Candelario's hustle guide Nats to lopsided win

NEW YORK -- Between Thursday and Friday, the Nationals scored a total of two runs against the Mets. They needed only the first inning to double that in Saturday night’s 11-6 victory at Citi Field.

A night of solid hitting followed a 1-hour, 20-minute rain delay, boosting the Nats to 6-3 over their last nine games and 31-11 on the season when plating five or more runs.

Here are four things that stood out from the Nationals' victory over their NL East opponent.

Breakout first frame
The Nationals' first at-bat of the night was a preview of New York’s defensive miscues that would impact the game. CJ Abrams reached first base on a throwing error by third baseman Mark Vientos. Then Washington proved how valuable small ball can be.

Jeimer Candelario, Joey Meneses, Luis García and Dominic Smith connected on four consecutive singles to give the Nats a quick 3-0 lead. With Stone Garrett adding on another run off a sacrifice fly, the Nats scored four or more runs in the first frame for the fifth time this season.

“Making good hard contact, that’s what we talk about a lot,” said Nationals manager Dave Martinez. “Don’t force any issues -- just get ready to hit and try to hit the ball hard, try to stay in the middle of the field. We hit the ball really well today.”

No slowing down Candelario
An injury scare on Friday didn’t slow Candelario down from hustling on Saturday. The veteran third baseman, who grabbed his left shoulder after sliding into second base on Friday, went 2-for-3 with his 30th double of the season, two runs, an RBI and a walk.

Candelario didn’t let up with a lead, either. In the ninth, he was hit by a pitch. In the next at-bat, he scored from first base on a Meneses single into center field.

“He leads by example,” said Martinez. “... If you’re a young guy and I’m watching that guy, I’m going to do the same thing. This guy’s been in the league a long time, this is the way you play baseball -- and I love that he’s doing that. He’s showing these young kids how to play the game.”

A leader in the clubhouse, Candelario also is a top trade candidate to watch before Tuesday’s 6 p.m. ET Deadline. He is on an expiring $5 million contract, and he has shown how he can impact a team during a turnaround season.

Adams more than a backup
Technically, Riley Adams is the Nationals' backup catcher to Keibert Ruiz. But he has been performing like an everyday player this season, including an all-around showing on Saturday. Adams was 2-for-5 with a pair of doubles, one run scored and three RBIs.

Adams is batting .304 with a .919 OPS, eight doubles and four homers in his 26 games played. Efficient when in the lineup, Adams also has contributed two three-RBI performances. MLB.com’s Joe Trezza recently noted Adams as a sleeper pick for a trade candidate.

“He’s doing everything you can ask for for a backup catcher,” said starter Patrick Corbin. “I guess we have two starting catchers, it seems like to me when he’s out there. He’s putting competitive at-bats and can call a game and handle the pitching staff.”

Weems trusting, thriving
Right-hander Jordan Weems is feeling more confident on the mound, and it is translating into his numbers. He pitched 1 1/3 scoreless frames in relief of Corbin, highlighted by striking out the side in the seventh.

“Trusting all my pitches and just going after guys,” Weems said of his success. “When I’m trusting all my stuff and when you have command of it, it helps getting ahead or just staying even in those counts and putting those hitters on the defensive.”

Weems, who was called up from Triple-A Rochester on June 6, has become a reliable go-to arm amid injuries to the bullpen. Following Saturday’s outing, his ERA dropped to 3.14 and his WHIP to 1.05. Opponents are hitting just .153 against him.

“He’s been electric all season,” said Corbin. “His stuff is elite. I think when he’s in the right situations and comes in, he’s a guy you want out there. He’s going to throw strikes and come after you and compete. It’s awesome to have a guy like that at the end.”