Washington Nationals Defeat Cincinnati Reds 6-1

WASHINGTON, D.C. - JULY 22 - The Washington Nationals won yet again on Tuesday night with a dominant performance against the Cincinnati Reds. Brad Lord gave Washington a short-but-sweet start in his return to the rotation, while the bullpen and lineup backed him up en route to the team’s third win since the All-Star break.

Lord took the mound as a starter for the first time since May 6 with little pressure, as he was not expected to go too deep into the game to avoid taxing his arm. He faced the minimum in the first inning, allowing a single but getting a quick double play to finish the frame having thrown just seven pitches. After an 18-pitch second inning, the defense had his back in the third. Despite a leadoff single and a sac-bunt, CJ Abrams made a heads up play to get the lead runner out at third before Riley Adams caught a runner stealing to end the inning. In the fourth frame, Lord surrendered a leadoff double to Elly De La Cruz before Gavin Lux brought him in with a single. He finished the inning and called it a night, departing after four innings and 50 pitches, allowing one run on six hits with one strikeout.

The bullpen showed up for Lord tonight in the back half of the game. Konnor Pilkington (who was just brought up to Washington from Rochester today) threw two perfect frames in his first big league outing since 2023, striking out three. Luis García, Andrew Chafin, and Andry Lara each pitched scoreless frames in low pressure situations to close out the night, earning Washington a series win.

Offensively, the Nationals exploded in the middle innings to propel the team to the win. After striking out seven times through three and 1/3 innings, Josh Bell caught a slider and propelled it above Washington’s bullpen for a solo home run to tie the game. In the fifth, Brady House made his way over to third after singling, and Jacob Young drove him in with a double. Abrams then doubled as well, making it a 3-1 ballgame.

The sixth inning got even wilder, as it opened with a Bell walk, which was followed by a Nathaniel Lowe double. Luis García Jr. walked to load the bases, and it seemed like a perfect opportunity to put the game out of reach with no outs. However, two outs were made with no runners across, and all signs pointed to a wasted opportunity. However, Riley Adams singled to bring in two, and an added throwing error allowed House to score, giving the Nationals a 6-1 lead as they chased the Reds’ starter. Ultimately, that would wrap up the scoring, with the only runs coming smack dab in the middle of the ballgame.

The Nationals will wrap up the series with the Reds tomorrow at 12:05 PM, sending Michael Soroka to the mound. The Reds have not been swept at all this season, an impressive streak that the Nationals will look to end tomorrow afternoon.