Washington Nationals pitcher Kyle Finnegan, left, catcher Keibert Ruiz, right, celebrate after winning a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds, Sunday, May 4, 2025, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Washington Nationals pitcher Kyle Finnegan throws in the during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds, Sunday, May 4, 2025, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Washington Nationals’ Luis GarcÃa Jr. watches his solo home run during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds, Sunday, May 4, 2025, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Fans sit in the rain as Cincinnati Reds pitcher Nick Martinez throws during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Sunday, May 4, 2025, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Washington Nationals’ Luis GarcÃa Jr. watches his solo home run during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds, Sunday, May 4, 2025, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz jogs to first base in the rain on a hit that would be judged foul after official review during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Sunday, May 4, 2025, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Washington Nationals pitcher Kyle Finnegan, left, catcher Keibert Ruiz, right, celebrate after winning a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds, Sunday, May 4, 2025, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
CINCINNATI (AP) — Luis GarcÃa Jr. homered during Washington’s three-run seventh inning, and the Nationals beat the Cincinnati Reds 4-1 on Sunday.
GarcÃa gave Washington a 2-1 lead with his one-out solo drive off Graham Ashcraft (2-3). CJ Abrams tacked on a two-run double against Taylor Rogers.
Jorge López (4-0) pitched two scoreless innings for the win, and Kyle Finnegan handled the ninth for his 11th save.
ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW
Washington took two of three in the weekend series at Cincinnati.
Nationals left-hander MacKenzie Gore struck out nine in five innings. He allowed four hits and walked four.
The Reds wasted a sharp performance by Nick Martinez, who struck out six while working six innings of one-run ball.
GarcÃa put Washington in front with a sacrifice fly in the second. But Tyler Stephenson hit a leadoff drive in the bottom half for Cincinnati.
It was Stephenson’s first homer in his third game since he missed the start of the season with a left oblique strain.
Key moment
With two outs, a runner aboard and rain falling in the fifth, Elly De La Cruz hit a shot down the left-field line for Cincinnati that was initially ruled a home run before the umpires gathered and changed the call to a foul ball.
Key stat
Gore leads the majors with 68 strikeouts in just 46 innings.
Up next
The Nationals begin a six-game homestand on Monday night against the Cleveland Guardians.
ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW
ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW
The Reds open a seven-game trip on Monday with the first of four against the Braves. Brady Singer (4-1, 3.24 ERA) starts for the Reds against AJ Smith-Shawver (1-2, 4.26 ERA).
To join the conversation set a first and last name in your user profile.
Sign in or register for free to join the Conversation