Washington seized control early and never let go, defeating Seattle 8-3 at Nationals Park. The Nationals scored three runs in the first inning and added five more in the fifth and seventh to overcome a brief tie.
Cade Cavalli earned the win with 5 innings of work, allowing 3 runs on 4 hits while striking out 5. His ERA: 3.98. Luis Garcia provided the offensive spark with a 2-run homer in the fifth inning, going 1-for-3 with 2 RBI.
The Nationals struck immediately in the first. Cal Abrams singled to left, scoring García Jr., then came around on Daylen Lile's triple to right. Dylan Crews followed with an RBI single to make it 3-0. Seattle answered in the fifth when Mitch Garver singled home Miles Mastrobuoni, then Colt Emerson homered to right to tie the game 3-3. Garcia's 2-run homer in the bottom half restored Washington's lead at 5-3.
Luis Castillo took the loss for Seattle, allowing 5 runs in 5.2 innings. He struck out 4 but surrendered 7 hits and walked 2. Castillo fell to 2-6 with a 5.00 ERA.
Washington snapped a 2-game losing streak to improve to 35-35. Seattle, despite the loss, maintained first place in their division at 37-34.