Nationals 8, Astros 2
The Washington Nationals defeated the Houston Astros, 8–2, Wednesday night at Nationals Park. Back-to-back multi-run innings were the key to this win.
Luis García Jr. belted a three-run home run, CJ Abrams added a solo homer and a sacrifice fly, and Foster Griffin carried the Nationals through seven innings. Brice Matthews drove in the Astros’ first run, and Nick Allen added another RBI later in the game, but the Astros could not recover after falling behind 5–0 early.
Astros – Nationals Game Summary
The Astros and Nationals battled through two scoreless innings as Spencer Arrighetti and Griffin matched each other early. Arrighetti pitched around traffic in the first two innings. He struck out Curtis Mead and José Tena during key moments to keep the game tied. Griffin retired the Astros in order in the first inning and limited them to one hit through the opening three frames.
The Nationals broke through in the third inning. James Wood drew a walk and stole second base before scoring on Abrams’ sacrifice fly. García also reached with a walk and stole second before Daylen Lile lined an RBI double into left field. That hit gave the Nationals a 2–0 lead.
The Astros created a scoring chance in the fourth inning when Isaac Paredes doubled into center field. Griffin escaped the inning by inducing consecutive groundouts, leaving Paredes stranded in scoring position.
The Nationals responded in the bottom half with a bigger offensive push capped by García launching a three-run home run to right-center field. The blast extended the lead to five runs.
In the fifth inning, the Astros scored their first run. Yainer Diaz doubled and moved to third on a wild pitch before Matthews delivered an RBI single into center field. The Nationals answered immediately in the bottom half. Abrams opened the inning with a solo home run. Lile and Dylan Crews followed with hits, and a walk loaded the bases. Tena added an RBI groundout before Ruiz lifted a sacrifice fly to push the lead to 8–1.
The Astros added their final run in the eighth inning. Zach Dezenzo singled and advanced on a wild pitch before Nick Allen reached on an infield single. A throwing error from Abrams allowed Dezenzo to score.
Christian Walker doubled to begin the ninth inning and ultimately reached third base, but Nationals reliever Justin Lawrence induced three straight groundouts to secure the 8–2 victory.
What Went Right for the Astros
Scoreless Relief
After Arrighetti exited in the fifth inning, the Astros received effective relief from Alimber Santa, Nate Pearson, and Cristian Javier. The trio combined to hold the Nationals scoreless over the final three innings despite allowing several baserunners.
Pearson stranded a leadoff walk during the seventh inning, and Javier escaped a bases-loaded situation in the eighth by retiring Abrams, Lile, and Jorbit Vivas without allowing a run.
Some Offensive Firepower
Brice Matthews accounted for the Astros first run with an RBI single in the fifth after Yainer Diaz doubled and advanced to third on a wild pitch.
Paredes reached base twice with a double and a single, Dezenzo collected two hits and scored in the eighth, and Walker added a leadoff double in the ninth inning.
What Went Wrong for the Astros
Nationals Capitalized
The Nationals turned walks and stolen bases into early offense. Wood reached base three times via walk, stole second in the third inning, and scored the game’s first run. García followed with a three-run homer in the fourth after another pair of free passes put runners on base.
The fifth inning added even more separation. Abrams opened with a solo home run before consecutive baserunners led to an RBI groundout from Tena and a sacrifice fly from Ruiz.
No Offensive Momentum
Griffin controlled the Astros’ lineup throughout his outing. The Astros managed only one hit through the first three innings and struck out repeatedly during key situations. The Astros finished with two runs despite collecting several late hits, and Walker’s ninth-inning double also went unused after the final rally came up short.
What’s Next
The Astros continue their road trip on Friday, July 10, when they open a new series against the Rangers at Globe Life Field.
The Astros are expected to start Hunter Brown (1-0, 3.38 ERA, 35 strikeouts). The Rangers had not announced their starting pitcher as of press time.
First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. Central.
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