Solarte homers twice to lift the Jays over the Nats

Game Recap | Box Score

While he isn’t 2015 Josh Donaldson, Yangervis Solarte’s infectious attitude — not to mention two home runs — helped lift the Blue Jays over the Nationals in this first of a three-game series. On the Nationals side, Anthony Rendon went 3 for 4, while Daniel Murphy and Adam Eaton — both recently back from months-long injuries — are trying to get into a groove.

The biggest mystery right now is the extended slump that Bryce Harper is in. While still a fearful power hitter, he is not hitting like the type of player that won an MVP in 2015, putting up one of the best seasons of the past twenty years. The 2018 version of Bryce Harper is swinging at pitches way out of the zone and is more like Dave Kingman than Mike Trout.

While it’s important to acknowledge that Randal Grichuk, Devon Travis and Kendrys Morales are hitting much better than they were for the first part of the season, you have to question trotting out a starting lineup with so many hitters under .200. They may have won today’s game with this bunch, but they are a problem.

With their fifth win in a row at home, the Blue Jays should be satisfied with themselves — for now — until the selling starts right before the trade deadline.