The Washington Nationals scored 13 runs off 13 hits to get back to .500, take the three game series against the Baltimore Orioles
For the first time since April 1, the Washington Nationals are finally back at .500 overall.
The Washington Nationals took game two against the Baltimore Orioles, 13-3, to get back to even in the regular season. While Washington moves to 8-13 at Nationals Park in 2026, the win also secures the Nationals' second consecutive home series win.
Keibert Ruiz finished a triple shy of hitting for the cycle, going 3-for-4 with five RBIs in the win.
Cade Cavalli allowed a pair of home runs and eight hits to go with eight strikeouts in 6.1 innings in the win.
Keibert Ruiz would be the one to give the Nationals juice early in the second inning. After CJ Abrams opened with a leadoff double into right followed by Nasim Nunez drawing a five pitch walk, Ruiz's 366 foot blast into the right field bleachers gave the Nationals an early 3-0 lead.
Washington would add to the lead the following inning with Abrams involved once again, yet it would be James Wood who notched a leadoff double into center field to keep the offense alive. Yet after Luis Garcia Jr fouled out by third and Jose Tena grounded out, a double from Abrams was enough to bring in Wood for the fourth run of the game.
Yet the game would not come without drama, which materialized in the seventh inning.
Cavalli allowed back-to-back solo home runs, first a 376 foot shot to right field then 402 foot shot to left field, before getting some luck to avoid a tie game. The Orioles barely missed out on the game-tying home run in the seventh inning after Coby Mayo's near two run home run went just left of the foul pole down the left field line, a call that would have to be confirmed after a crew chief review.
After PJ Poulin replaced Cade Cavalli on the mound for the next at bat, a near home run would require Jacob Young to make the snag to keep it a 4-2 game. A two out single made it a 4-3 game, but the Nationals would get its breathing room back in the bottom of the inning.
After James Wood drew a leadoff walk, a Brady House double made it a 5-3 game before CJ Abrams added to it with a single, pushing House to the corner. An infield single by Daylen Lile was enough to get House to cross the plate in a play that was challenged by Baltimore and upheld, pushing Washington's lead back to three in a 6-3 contest. Keibert Ruiz's two RBI single pushed the lead to 8-3 before Jacob Young cleared the bases with a three-run home run.
Brady House added to it after notching a two-run home run in the bottom of the eighth, making it a 13-3 finish while becoming the fifth player in Nationals history to record two or more extra base hits off the bench.
Washington will now look to pick up its first series sweep at Nationals Park when the two teams meet on Sunday for a 1:35 PM first pitch.
Nationals Roundtable also offers a fan community. We’d love to have you join us to talk all things Nationals. Click the “Join” button at the top of the page to join our free community and follow for all of our coverage, analysis and more!