Bats go quiet as Nationals fail to sweep Guardians, drop back to 1 game above .500

The Nationals entered the game 2 games over .500 and had a chance to sweep the American League Central-leading Cleveland Guardians. They fell short in a 3-2 loss despite reaching a late scoring opportunity. In the ninth inning, CJ Abrams stole second base and the tying run moved into scoring position, but Jorbit Vivas took a pitch down the middle and ended the game after being caught off guard. The offense produced only five hits and two walks, though the pitching staff limited Cleveland to one earned run. CJ Abrams had two hits, while Drew Millas, James Wood, and Curtis Mead contributed key baserunners and hits. PJ Poulin started and allowed no runs before Miles Mikolas gave up two unearned runs over 3.2 innings. Orlando Ribalta, Clayton Beeter, and Gus Varland followed with scoreless innings as the Nationals returned to Washington.

"Coming into the contest 2 games over .500, the Nationals were staring a series sweep of the Cleveland Guardians in the face, but ultimately came up a bit short. In fact, the tying run in the 9th inning got into scoring position after CJ Abrams stole second base, but Jorbit Vivas took one right down the middle to end the game after clearly being caught off guard. Although the game itself was a loss, to come that close to sweeping the team currently leading the American League Central, the Nationals have to hold their heads high going back to Washington."

"The offense, which became the first team to exceed 300 runs scored in 2026 on Tuesday afternoon, mostly fell flat, as the team managed just 5 hits and only 2 walks, yet narrowly lost by a score of 3-2. CJ Abrams had 2 of the team's 5 hits, and the pitching staff only allowed 1 earned run. Elsewhere throughout the lineup, Drew Millas added a knock, James Wood added a double and a walk, and Curtis Mead added a base hit in the 9th to help start the final rally that came up just a bit short."

"PJ Poulin opened the game and did not allow a run before giving way to Miles Mikolas for 3.2 innings, although he allowed just 2 unearned runs in that time. He struck out only 1 batter before giving way to Richard Lovelady, who was surprisingly roughed up for one of the first times this season. The remainder of the game was handled by righties Orlando Ribalta, Clayton Beeter, and Gus Varland, in that order, who all managed to put up zeroes in their respective innings."

Read at District on Deck