CJ Abrams’ 3-run homer sets the tone for Nationals in win over Mets

CJ Abrams heard the sound off the bat.

He didn’t even feign a light jog out of the batter’s box. He just stared toward his bench before tossing his bat to the ground and starting his trot around the bases. No words were necessary.

“I usually look in there [to] see the reactions and get lit with them,” Abrams said after Wednesday’s 8-4 win over the Mets.

It’s fitting that he didn’t utter a word because manager Blake Butera said Abrams’ “quieter” approach at the plate has been a big reason for his success.

Abrams’ homer set the tone, continuing his strong offensive start. He went 2-for-4 with three RBIs.

Lost in the valid critiques of his subpar defense and whether the team should trade him or extend his contract is that Abrams is having a stellar season at the plate. He has 10 homers and leads shortstops in RBIs (42) while batting .300.

Abrams’ simple, compact approach is a reason he’s seeing the ball better than in years past. Eliminating the unnecessary movement has allowed him to have a more repeatable approach.

“Everything seems free and easy for him right now,” Butera said.

Against a Mets team with the sport’s highest payroll that had begun to turn things around after a poor start, the Nationals continued to show the hallmarks of an offense that will give them a shot in most games.

In the second inning, after Nasim Nuñez drew a walk and stole second base — advancing to third on a throwing error by Hayden Senger — Keibert Ruiz delivered an RBI single.

While their teammates have taken time to get going, James Wood and Abrams have remained steady and are producing at an All-Star level. Abrams is merging his plus bat-to-ball skills with power. He’s also shown improved patience, nearly doubling his walk rate this season.

“It’s been special,” Jacob Young said of Abrams’ performance. “The whole year he’s been our steady guy. He hasn’t really gone too low at any point. It just looks really free this year. I think you know he’s pulling the ball really well in the air ... which is definitely helping a lot of the power numbers, but just looks free, swinging at a lot better pitches. He’s a lot more patient, I think, which is kind of leading to a lot of these good results.”

Despite not posting gaudy exit velocities, Abrams has improved his contact quality and is mashing fastballs. His improved patience has allowed him to get more balls in the heart of the strike zone.

The Nationals didn’t require any comebacks because the pitching staff largely quieted the Mets’ lineup.

Starter Zack Littell threw five innings, allowing two runs on five hits, with three strikeouts and no walks. Limiting the walks was crucial because he didn’t induce any ground balls.

The runs Littell allowed came on a single by Brett Baty in the second inning and a solo homer by Juan Soto in the third.

Left-hander Andrew Alvarez entered in the sixth and threw four innings. He allowed two runs on another Soto homer in the eighth. Alvarez largely held the Mets in check, recording five strikeouts.

“He’s been unbelievable,” Littell said of Alvarez. “To watch him go out there and do what he does to lineups, he’s only going to get better.”

The Nationals continued pouring in runs, which has become commonplace at Nationals Park. In the sixth, after back-to-back singles by Abrams and Dylan Crews, Daylen Lile extended the lead to 5-2 on a sacrifice fly.

Butera likes having Alvarez as a bulk option out of the bullpen. The team optioned left-hander PJ Poulin to Triple-A Rochester, a sign that Alvarez will remain in the majors as long he keeps turning in performances like Wednesday’s.

But Abrams and the offense set the tone and got the Mets on their back foot, early.

Butera lauded Abrams’ commitment to his body and said he’s putting himself in a position to “have success every day.” Abrams said that a commitment to the gym and trying to consume as many calories as he can handle to gain weight have been key.

Abrams becoming a dependable presence in the lineup is a game changer for the Nationals this season and beyond. At 25, he can still become a pillar for the organization.

Avoiding another second-half slump will require Abrams maintaining his diligence in his work before and after games. His approach might have quieted down, but the production is loud.

“You got to be able to put the work in,” Abrams said. “You got to love the process, and the results are what they are. You can’t control [it]. But what you can control is the work you put in every day, and the results will come.”

This article has been updated.