​The Nationals couldn’t avoid being swept at home as the Yankees clinched a third win in the three-game series after a 5-3 defeat on Sunday afternoon. Cade Cavalli returned to the mound following a five-game suspension. In his 20th start of the season, Cavalli entered the game with a 5-4 record, a 3.88 ERA, 31 walks, and 105 strikeouts.
Meanwhile, James Wood continued to show why he has earned the leadoff role, getting the Nationals on the board first with a home run off a 94 mph four-seam fastball that carried 434 feet to center for his third homer of the year and his second straight leadoff homer in two games during the series. Wood now has 28 home runs on the season, ten of which have come on leadoff hits, setting a new franchise record before the All-Star break.
The Nationals’ lineup featured a new face in Abimelec Ortiz, who spent six seasons in the minors and compiled 124 home runs and a .478 slugging percentage there. The left-handed designated hitter was acquired in the Mackenzie Gore trade package. Ortiz was batting third in today’s lineup and, although he grounded into a double play, he’s one to watch when he’s in the lineup. In his first major league hit later in the fourth inning, Ortiz doubled to center off a four-seam fastball. CJ Abrams added to the cheer as he singled to right, Ortiz advanced to third, and the Nationals finally had runners on the corners with no outs. Unfortunately, Ortiz didn’t score as Dylan Crews struck out and Daylen Lile lined into a double play to end the inning.
The lead didn’t last long, though, as the Yankees tied it at 1-1 with Cody Bellinger’s double to left and Jazz Chisholm Jr.’s single that brought Bellinger home. Cavalli looked to finish the fifth inning with two outs, but the frame didn’t end there. A wild pitch allowed Chisholm to advance to second, and Austin Wells then singled to right, driving in Chisholm to put New York ahead 2-1.
Curtis Mead answered for the Yankees in the sixth with an 88 mph sinker that traveled 409 feet to center for his second homer of the series and 17th of the season. In the seventh, the Nationals needed a spark with two outs to swing the momentum back in their favor. Tena singled to right, and Nasim Nuñez ran for him. Nuñez stole second, continuing the offensive pressure. Keibert Ruiz reached first on a fielder’s choice, but a Chisholm throwing error at first allowed Ruiz to reach second and Nuñez to score, keeping the game within reach for Washington.
The Yankees, however, held firm and extended their advantage, ultimately sealing the win as they avoided the sweep at the Nationals’ home park. The game highlighted Wood’s continued impact at the top of Washington’s lineup, Ortiz’s potential as a breakout contributor, and Cavalli’s return to action after his suspension, offering a glimpse of the grind the Nationals face in this tough stretch.