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Arraez's Two RBIs Fuel 5-0 Win After Historic Trade

8/6/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Luis Arraez drove in two runs in a 5-0 win over Washington on August 4, 2026.
The trade made history as Arraez, the NL’s .324 batting leader, became the first league-leading hitter traded mid-season.
Arraez debuted as cleanup hitter, went 2-for-4 with a single and a double, raising his average to .325.

History

Historical Context

Today's Nationals trade for league-leading hitter Luis Arraez echoes the shift that began when the 1879 reserve clause was struck down by the 1975 Seitz decision—after Curt Flood’s 1972 lawsuit and Marvin Miller’s push—granting players like Andy Messersmith a $1.5 million free-agent contract. That ruling turned perpetual team control into modern player autonomy.

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Story summary

Luis Arraez drove in two runs in a 5-0 win over Washington on August 4, 2026.
The trade made history as Arraez, the NL’s .324 batting leader, became the first league-leading hitter traded mid-season.
Arraez debuted as cleanup hitter, went 2-for-4 with a single and a double, raising his average to .325.

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