Nationals Beat Tigers 4-2 as Yohandy Morales Homers Again in Detroit
Yohandy Morales hit a two-run homer for the second time in three games and Washington beat Detroit 4-2 at Comerica Park on Wednesday.
A Scoreless Game Breaks Open in the Sixth
Nobody scored for five innings at Comerica Park. Then the Nationals put together three straight singles to start the sixth. Andres Chaparro and Brady House got on to start first and second, and CJ Abrams lined one to right to make it 1-0.
Tigers manager pulled Framber Valdez for Tyler Kinley, and Kinley walked into a two-run homer off the bat of Yohandy Morales that put Washington up 3-0. It was Morales' second homer in three games. Valdez took the loss, charged with two runs over 5 1/3 innings.
Detroit answered right away. Ben Malgeri led off the bottom of the sixth with his fifth homer of the year, a solo shot off Dion, and the Tigers were back within two, 3-1.
Nunez Breaks a Nationals Record on the Bases
Washington tacked on in the seventh. Nasim Nunez blooped a single to second, then stole both second and third before scoring on a James Wood groundout to make it 4-1.
Those two steals gave Nunez 49 for the season, breaking CJ Abrams' Nationals single-season record of 47, set in 2023. The franchise record still belongs to Ron LeFlore, who stole 97 back in 1980.
Malgeri got one more shot in, an RBI single with two outs in the ninth that made it 4-2. Yovanny Cruz came on to finish it, getting the final four outs and retiring Riley Greene to end the game for his first career save. Dion picked up the win despite allowing three hits and a run over two innings of relief.
Where Both Teams Stand
Washington has won eight of its last 11 games and sits at 75-84. Detroit has dropped six of its last eight and is 74-85.
Detroit is without Kerry Carpenter (10-day IL, foot), Jack Flaherty (15-day IL, forearm) and Justin Verlander (60-day IL, hamstring). Washington is missing Orlando Ribalta (15-day IL, forearm), PJ Poulin (60-day IL, forearm) and Connelly Early (60-day IL, elbow).
What's Next
Both teams are off Thursday. The Nationals close the season with a three-game set against the Mets, with Andrew Alvarez (2-6, 3.17 ERA) slated to start the opener.
The Tigers finish their season at home against the Pirates, with Jackson Jobe (2-3) starting the opener for Detroit.
Facts per ESPN box score. Opinion is the taproom's.