Springfield’s Eaton stays hot in Game 2 of World Series

Washington beat two of the game’s best pitchers, Gerrit Cole and Justin Verlander, on the road to take a 2-0 series lead. Game 3 is Friday at Nationals Park in Washington.

“We knew we were going to get their best,” Eaton told Ken Rosenthal, of Fox Sports, after the game. “I think we just kind of did what we’ve done all year and that’s try to manufacture runs to the best of our capabilities.”

» FAMILY STORY: Eaton’s parents ‘blessed’ to see him in World Series

Eaton singled and scored in the first inning. In the seventh, he laid down a a sacrifice bunt to advance two runners in a six-run inning.

Then in the eighth, with the Nationals leading 8-2, Eaton hit a two-run home run to left, pointing to the stands, likely at his wife Katie and parents Robin and Glenn, as he crossed home plate. It was his first postseason home run. He earned a lot of attention on social media with his dugout celebration with teammate Howie Kendrick.

Eaton also went 2-for-4 in Game 1. Through two games, he's hitting .500 and is tied for the team lead with three RBIs and four runs scored. He has at least one hit in the last six postseason games and has driven in at least one run in four of the last five games.

Eaton told Rosenthal it was stressful playing in the World Series.

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“It’s not like it’s scary, but there’s an anxiousness to it,” Eaton said. “Especially on defense. It’s really out of my control. You’re just out there rooting on for your guys. And you only hit 1 out of 9 times. There’s a lot out of your hands. It’s high emotions. A lot of momentum. It’s been extremely loud here. Every single pitch matters. You play in some games like that in the regular season like that but nothing quite like this. I’m enjoying it. I’m trying to enjoy it, but by the same token, my heart is trying to leap out of my chest every inning.”