PHILADELPHIA -- Seven Washington batters had at least two hits, including Joey Wiemer, who tied a major league record for most consecutive plate appearances to reach base to start a season as the Nationals defeated the Philadelphia Phillies 13-2 on Monday night.
Wiemer legged out an infield single in the first inning and had a base hit up the middle in the fourth, becoming the second player in the Live Ball Era (since 1920) to reach base 10 consecutive times to start the season. Toronto's Carlos Delgado also reached 10 straight times in 2002.
"That's what makes me, me," Wiemer said, according to MLB.com. "Regardless of the score, situation, I'm going to play hard."
Wiemer's first hit was originally called out by first base umpire Marvin Hudson but was overturned after a challenge by the Nationals. Phillies manager Rob Thomson was ejected by Hudson after the video review for arguing that the play should have still ended the inning because even though Hudson called Wiemer out, the Phillies continued the play and threw the ball home where catcher Rafael Marchán tagged Drew Millas, who was trying to score from second on the play.
Wiemer's streak ended in the fifth inning when he grounded out.
