CINCINNATI — The Cincinnati Reds defeated the Washington Nationals 6-1 on May 2, 2025, at Great American Ball Park, led by Hunter Greene’s dominant performance and timely hitting from Tyler Stephenson and Santiago Espinal. The win improved the Reds’ record to 18-15, solidifying their second-place standing in the NL Central, while the Nationals fell to 14-19, fourth in the NL East.
Greene, earning the win to improve to 4-2 with a 2.53 ERA, struck out 12 batters over six innings, allowing just two hits and two walks. “Hunter Greene strikes out Luis García Jr.” in the second inning was among his highlights, as he threw 83 strikes among 114 pitches, averaging 99 mph with his fastball. The Reds’ pitching staff set a season high with 17 strikeouts, matching the Nationals’ season-high for strikeouts in a game.
The Reds jumped ahead in the first inning when Espinal’s two-run double scored Matt McLain and Elly De La Cruz, giving Cincinnati a 2-0 lead. “Santiago Espinal’s two-run double” set the tone early. In the second, McLain’s forceout drove in Stephenson, and in the third, Stephenson’s two-run double brought home Espinal and Spencer Steer, extending the lead to 5-0. TJ Friedl’s sacrifice fly in the sixth scored Stephenson, finalizing the Reds’ scoring at 6-1.
Nationals starter Mitchell Parker took the loss, dropping to 3-2 with a 3.48 ERA. He allowed five runs on four hits and four walks over four innings, striking out one. Relievers Lucas Sims, Eduardo Salazar, Cole Henry, and Jackson Rutledge limited further damage, with Rutledge striking out three in a scoreless eighth. The Nationals’ lone run came in the fifth when Josh Bell hit his fifth home run of the season off Kline. “Josh Bell’s solo home run” briefly cut the deficit to 5-1.
Cincinnati’s offense totaled seven hits, with Stephenson going 2-for-3, including two doubles and two RBIs. Espinal also drove in two runs, while Friedl and McLain each added an RBI. The Nationals managed four hits, with James Wood stealing his fourth base and scoring opportunities limited, going 0-for-1 with runners in scoring position.
The game, delayed 1 hour and 51 minutes due to inclement weather, was played before 19,509 fans under overcast skies with 67-degree temperatures. The first pitch was thrown at 8:01 p.m. EDT, and the game lasted 2 hours and 44 minutes. Umpires included John Libka (home plate), Sean Barber (first base), James Hoye (second base), and D.J. Reyburn (third base).
Both teams executed defensively, with no errors recorded. The Reds left eight runners on base, while the Nationals stranded six, including a caught stealing by CJ Abrams in the eighth, upheld after a challenge. The Reds’ victory followed their strong performance on May 2, continuing their push in the competitive NL Central.
