ATLANTA — The Atlanta Braves defeated the Washington Nationals 4-3 in a closely contested game at Truist Park on May 12, 2025, improving their record to 20-21 and maintaining third place in the National League East. The Nationals, now 17-25 and fourth in the division, rallied late but fell short after a critical error in the ninth inning.
The Braves struck first in the third inning when Marcell Ozuna’s single drove in Austin Riley, followed by Michael Harris II’s single that scored Matt Olson, giving Atlanta a 2-0 lead. The Nationals responded in the fourth when James Wood hit his 11th home run of the season off Braves starter Grant Holmes, cutting the deficit to 2-1. Atlanta extended their lead in the fifth with Ozuna’s sixth home run, a solo shot off Nationals starter Jake Irvin, making it 3-1.
Irvin pitched six innings for Washington, allowing three runs on seven hits with four strikeouts. Holmes went 6.1 innings for Atlanta, giving up one run on four hits while striking out four. Both starters kept the game tight, with the Nationals struggling to capitalize on scoring opportunities, leaving six runners on base and going 1-for-7 with runners in scoring position.
The game remained 3-1 until the ninth, when the Nationals mounted a comeback against Braves closer Raisel Iglesias. Keibert Ruiz and Luis García Jr. singled, and after Josh Bell grounded out, pinch-runner Nasim Nuñez replaced García. Dylan Crews then singled, scoring Ruiz, and a throwing error by Braves shortstop Nick Allen allowed Nuñez to score, tying the game at 3-3.
However, the Braves answered in the bottom of the ninth against Nationals reliever Jackson Rutledge. Eli White singled, and Alex Verdugo’s double drove him in for the walk-off 4-3 victory. Iglesias earned the win despite blowing the save, improving to 3-3, while Rutledge took the loss, falling to 0-1.
Ozuna led Atlanta with two hits, including a home run, and two RBIs. Harris and Verdugo each had two hits, with Verdugo delivering the game-winning double. For Washington, García and Ruiz each had two hits, and Crews drove in two runs with his ninth-inning single. Wood’s home run and stolen base highlighted his performance.
The game, attended by 32,696 fans, was played under cloudy skies with a temperature of 76 degrees. It lasted 2 hours and 21 minutes, with the first pitch at 7:15 p.m. The Braves’ victory capitalized on their 4-for-9 performance with runners in scoring position, compared to the Nationals’ struggles in similar situations.
The Nationals’ defense was solid, turning no double plays but committing no errors, while Atlanta’s Allen made the costly ninth-inning miscue. Washington’s bullpen, including Jose Ferrer, Jorge López, Rutledge, and Andrew Chafin, allowed one run over 2.1 innings, but it proved enough for Atlanta to secure the win.
This loss drops the Nationals further behind in the NL East, while the Braves gain ground in a competitive division. Both teams continue their series at Truist Park, with the next game set for May 13, 2025.
