First year manager Blake Butera reacts to the deflating 13-6 loss against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 2026 home opener
With the first full week of the MLB season underway, the Washington Nationals returned home for opening day. After a dull Friday morning start, the sun finally peaked through to light up Nationals Park. The crisp air and 70 degree weather made for the perfect home opener.
However, the Nationals failed to add to that perfect day feeling after falling 13-6 to the reigning World Series champions the Los Angeles Dodgers. And it was how it happened that may have been most deflating.
Manager Blake Butera opened his press conference statement thanking the fans that came out for opening day. With a sold out attendance recorded at 41,161 fans, the ballpark energy in the nation's capital was electric.
“First off, just want to say the crowd today, the fan attendance, the noise they were making, how into the game they were. Just really appreciate that. It was cool to see. Every seat was full and the guys were pretty fired up to be back home playing in front of an awesome crowd,” said Butera.
However, Butera followed up his statement with an apology to the fans. “Apologize, it was lopsided pretty early there.”
That’s because the first inning looked like a promising start for the home team. Left fielder James Wood doubled to center shortly followed by third baseman Brady House and a walk to first.
With shortstop CJ Abrams now at the plate, it only took five pitches before Abrams found the ball, drilling it 387 feet, giving a three-run homerun to the Nationals in the first inning. From there, the Nationals never seemed to find their rhythm again.
Abrams hits a three-run homer in first inning putting the Nationals up 3-0 over the DodgersButera addressed a comment, noting that there would be changes to the lineup but could not give in detail what those exact changes would be right away.
With a deep lineup for the Dodgers, Butera credited starting pitcher Miles Mikolas.
Butera said, “I thought Miles set the tone pretty well early but then just wasn’t able to execute some pitches and they took advantage of it.”
Mikolas went on to allow a career-high and franchise record 11 earned runs in the loss, leaving the mound after just 4.1 innings while allowing 11 hits in the process.
At 33-years-old, Butera became the youngest active manager in the MLB when the Nationals signed him this offseason.
The Nationals will look to recover from yesterday's loss as they continue the three-game series today at 4:05 p.m. against the Dodgers where the Nationals will wrap up the series Sunday afternoon.