The game was decided in the first inning. Washington scored three times before Atlanta recorded an out, building an early cushion that proved insurmountable in an 11-4 victory at Nationals Park.
James Wood sparked the offensive outburst, drawing four walks and scoring three runs while adding a solo homer in the second inning. Wood went 1-for-2 with one RBI, reaching base in all five plate appearances. Curtis Mead delivered the decisive blow with a three-run homer in the eighth inning, finishing 1-for-2 with three RBIs and two runs scored.
The Nationals struck immediately against Reynaldo Lopez. Young singled to center to score Wood, then Lile walked to bring García Jr. home, and Nuñez singled to center to score Young. Wood's homer in the second extended the lead to 4-1, and García Jr.'s two-run double in the seventh put the game away at 7-3 before Mead's blast sealed the rout.
Lopez lasted just one inning, allowing five hits and four earned runs while walking three batters in 58 pitches. Foster Griffin earned the victory for Washington, working six innings and allowing three earned runs on five hits with three strikeouts. His ERA stands at 3.38.
Washington improved to 10-13, snapping a one-game losing streak. Atlanta fell to 16-7, ending their six-game winning streak. Austin Riley is one RBI away from 500 career RBIs.