WASHINGTON D.C. - The Washington Nationals defeated the Detroit Tigers 11-7 and secured a series win against one of the best teams in Major League Baseball, and also the best team in the American League.

The Washington Nationals were down 3-0 early in the first inning; however, thanks to a five-inning comeback, the Nationals didn't look back and rode their way to a victory and series win over the Detroit Tigers.

After a shaky top of the first inning right right-handed Jake Irvin settled down and didn't give up a run until he left the game. Irvin went 6.0 innings, pitching a total of 107 with 68 strikes, giving up only three runs, on three hits, striking out four, and walking only three batters. Irvin now has a 7-3 record with an ERA of 4.71. After the first inning, Irvin allowed just two base runners from the final 18 batters he faced.

James Wood continues to be strong at the plate, as tonight he hit his 23rd home run of the 2025 season, which ties him for the fourth-most in the National League. Wood also set a career high with five hits, surpassing his previous high of four hits, which he had achieved three times, most recently on May 3, 2025, against the Cincinnati Reds. Wood finished the game tonight 5-for-5 with a homerun, two RBI, and scored three runs.

Wood has now had nine games this season with three or more hits, which is one shy of fellow Washington National CJ Abrams for the team lead. Lastly, over Wood’s last 22 games, Wood is hitting an impressive .361 and going 30-for-83 with three doubles, seven home runs, 22 RBI, 19 walks, two stolen bases, and scoring 20 runs.

Not to be outshone, fellow Nationals outfielder Alex Call went 3-for-5 with a double, three RBI, and two runs scored. Tonight was Call’s fifth career game with multiple extra-base hits, which was the first of the year.

With tonight's win, Washington Nationals Manager Dave Martinez earned his 500th career managerial win and became only the third manager in Nationals baseball history to reach his milestone.

Paul DeJong hit his first home run of the 2025 season, a three-run home run in the Nationals' five-run bottom of the first inning. In his three games since returning to the lineup from the injured list, DeJong has a home run, four RBI, two runs scored, and two walks, and finished tonight’s game 1-for-4.

Although the Tigers scored two runs off Cole Henry in the seventh and two off Brad Lord in the eighth, it wasn’t enough to overcome the large lead the Nats had built for themselves. Kyle Finnegan closed out the victory.

Up next, the Washington Nationals will kick off a three-game homestand against the Boston Red Sox starting tomorrow at 11:40 a.m. in their annual Independence Day game. The Nationals are scheduled to send RHP Michael Soroka, who has a 3-5 record and a 4.70 ERA.

The Boston Red Sox will counter with former Nationals draft pick Lucas Giolito (4-1, 3.99 ERA), who will be facing his original club for the first time in his career.