The Washington Nationals pick up the first series win at home after beating the Minnesota Twins, 7-5, on Thursday afternoon
Two lead changes and 12 combined runs later, the Washington Nationals have won the first series at home during the 2026 regular season.
PJ Poulin was credited with the win, moving to 3-0 this season, while Jake Irvin allowed four earned runs and eight hits while tossing a pair of strikeouts in 92 pitches across five innings.
Keibert Ruiz led the way after finishing 3-for-4 with four RBIs in the win while seven different batters reached base in the win.
Minnesota opened up the scoring after an RBI single into left field drove in two early runs, but the Nationals would get it back in the third inning. Jacob Young opened with a leadoff single before Keibert Ruiz reached third base on a blast into right field, good enough for Nasim Nunez to drive him home in the next at bat on a sac fly, tying the game at 2-2.
Minnesota took the lead back in the fifth inning after an infield single drove in the leadoff double to push Washington back into a one run deficit, but the Nationals would take the lead back briefly in the bottom of the inning, thanks to Keibert Ruiz.
After Jose Tena drew a leadoff walk and Jacob Young was hit by a pitch, Ruiz's double into right field pushed Washington ahead, 4-3, before a sac bunt by Nasim Nunez forced a pitching change. Yet the next two batters would draw walks to put Curtis Mead in a scoring opportunity with his grounder driving in Ruiz with James Wood still on third.
Jake Irvin's final batter of the day blasted a 432 foot home run to open the sixth inning, leading manager Blake Butera to turn to Richard Lovelady to take over where a pair of strikeouts ended a Minnesota scoring threat.
Orlando Ribalta would step in to start the seventh before a double surrendered brought out PJ Poulin, whose double given up tied the game at five, before Washington took the lead back again with a two-run seventh inning.
A solo home run from Keibert Ruiz proceeded an RBI single from Curtis Mead, cementing the Nationals' 7-5 win at home.
With the win, Washington moves to 18-20 overall and 6-13 at Nationals Park this season.
Washington ends the home stand 3-3 as they now prepare to hit the road to face the Miami Marlins for a three game series beginning Friday evening.