Springfield’s Eaton: Nationals ‘feeling the love’ from fans in NLCS

The Nationals routed the St. Louis Cardinals 8-1 at Nationals Park to take a 3-0 series lead. They are one victory away from their earning their first World Series berth. Game 4 starts at 8:05 p.m. Tuesday in Washington, D.C.

Monday’s game was the first NLCS home game in Nationals history.

“We’re feeling the love, and we love it,” Eaton told reporters after the game. “It truly makes a difference. All our guys feel it. In the ninth inning, everyone’s standing up, cheering. You can kind of feel the pulse of the area. We’re playing for them, and we appreciate them showing up.”

Eaton, a 2007 Kenton Ridge graduate who played three seasons for the Miami RedHawks, went 1-for-5. His two-out single scored Victor Robles. The next batter, Anthony Rendon, doubled, and Eaton scored all the way from first when the ball was misplayed in left field.

» EARLIER COVERAGE: Eaton starts winning rally in NLDS clincher

Eaton had key hits in each of the first two games. He tripled and scored in the seventh inning in Game 1, giving the Nationals a 2-0 lead. A day later in Game 2, his two-run double in the eighth gave the Nationals a 3-0 lead.

Eaton is hitting .182 in the playoffs (6-for-33) with five walks and a .289 on-base percentage