CINCINNATI – The Washington Nationals secured a 4-1 victory over the Cincinnati Reds on May 4, 2025, at Great American Ball Park, improving their record to 16-19 in the NL East. The Nationals, third in their division, outplayed the Reds (18-17), second in the NL Central, with timely hitting and dominant pitching before 23,494 fans in a game delayed 21 minutes by rain.
The Nationals took the lead in the second inning when Luis García Jr. hit a sacrifice fly to score Nathaniel Lowe, who had doubled. The Reds responded in the bottom of the second with a solo home run by Tyler Stephenson off Washington starter MacKenzie Gore, tying the game at 1-1. The score remained knotted until the seventh, when García Jr.’s solo homer off Reds pitcher Graham Ashcraft, who took the loss (2-3), gave Washington a 2-1 lead. Later in the inning, CJ Abrams doubled to drive in Alex Call and Jacob Young, pushing the Nationals’ lead to 4-1.
Jorge López earned the win for Washington, improving to 4-0, with two scoreless innings and two strikeouts. Gore pitched five innings, allowing one run on four hits with nine strikeouts, while Jose A. Ferrer and Kyle Finnegan combined for two shutout innings, with Finnegan securing his 11th save. Ashcraft struggled for Cincinnati, surrendering three runs on three hits in just 0.2 innings. The Nationals outhit the Reds 9-5, capitalizing on three-for-eight chances with runners in scoring position.
Call led Washington, going 2-for-3 with a run scored, while Keibert Ruiz also went 2-for-4. García Jr.’s homer and two RBIs proved pivotal, and Abrams drove in two with his double. For the Reds, Stephenson’s homer accounted for their lone run, and Matt McLain stole a base. Cincinnati’s lone error, by Santiago Espinal, contributed to Washington’s seventh-inning rally.
Both teams showcased strong pitching, with Washington’s staff striking out 13 and Cincinnati’s striking out eight. The Nationals’ bullpen was particularly effective, allowing just one hit after Gore’s exit. Cincinnati left seven runners on base, including three in scoring position, while Washington stranded seven. Stolen bases by Dylan Crews and Young highlighted the Nationals’ aggressive baserunning.
The game, played under overcast skies with a temperature of 59 degrees, lasted 2 hours and 41 minutes. Washington’s defense was flawless, while Cincinnati’s error proved costly. The Nationals’ ability to deliver in clutch moments, particularly in the seventh, underscored their resilience in a tightly contested matchup.
This victory provides momentum for Washington as they continue their road trip, while the Reds aim to rebound in their next series. The game highlighted the Nationals’ balanced attack, with contributions from veterans like Ruiz and young talents like García Jr. and Crews. Cincinnati’s strong pitching, led by Nick Martinez’s six innings, was not enough to overcome their offensive struggles in key situations.
