WASHINGTON — The Washington Nationals defeated the Atlanta Braves 5-3 on May 20, 2025, at Nationals Park, improving their record to 22-27. The Braves, now 24-24, fell to third in the National League East. Key performances from Nationals’ Dylan Crews and Keibert Ruiz, alongside Mitchell Parker’s pitching, secured the win in a game that saw early scoring and a late push by Washington.
The Nationals struck first in the opening inning, scoring three runs off Braves starter Spencer Strider. James Wood singled, followed by Nathaniel Lowe’s single, and Ruiz’s double drove in Wood. Lowe scored on Luis García Jr.’s single, and a wild pitch by Strider allowed Ruiz to cross the plate, giving Washington a 3-0 lead. The Braves responded in the second inning, tying the game at 3-3. Matt Olson hit a solo home run, his 10th of the season, followed by doubles from Ozzie Albies and Eli White, with Michael Harris II’s double driving in White.
Washington regained the lead in the bottom of the second when Crews hit a solo home run, his seventh, making it 4-3. The score held until the seventh inning, when José Tena scored on Lowe’s sacrifice fly, extending the Nationals’ lead to 5-3. Kyle Finnegan closed the game with a perfect ninth, earning his 15th save. Parker earned the win, pitching 5.1 innings, allowing three runs on six hits with four strikeouts. Strider took the loss, giving up four runs over 4.1 innings.
“They came out swinging early, but we settled in and got the job done,” a Nationals spokesperson said, summarizing the team’s effort. The Braves struggled with runners in scoring position, going 2-for-5, and left three runners on base. Washington capitalized on their opportunities, going 2-for-4 with runners in scoring position, and benefited from two Braves errors, including a pickoff miscue by Strider.
The game, attended by 26,517 fans, began at 6:46 p.m. under cloudy skies with a temperature of 68 degrees. The Nationals’ bullpen, including Cole Henry, Jose A. Ferrer, Jorge López, and Finnegan, held the Braves scoreless after the second inning. Braves relievers Aaron Bummer, Dylan Lee, and Rafael Montero limited further damage, but Washington’s timely hitting proved decisive.
Olson’s home run and Harris II’s RBI double were bright spots for Atlanta, but the team hit into two double plays, stifling potential rallies. For Washington, Wood went 2-for-3, scoring a run, while Crews and Ruiz each drove in key runs. The Nationals’ defense was flawless, turning two double plays and committing no errors, while the Braves’ lone error and a balk by Lee added to their challenges.
The game lasted 2 hours and 25 minutes, with umpires Marvin Hudson, Tripp Gibson, Ryan Blakney, and Derek Thomas officiating. Detailed box scores and highlights are available on MLB’s official site. The loss keeps the Braves in a tight NL East race, while the Nationals, fourth in the division, gained ground.
This matchup highlighted both teams’ reliance on young talent and bullpen depth. Washington’s ability to score early and hold the lead late showcased their resilience, while Atlanta’s missed opportunities underscored the fine margins in divisional play. As the season progresses, both teams will look to build on their performances in this closely contested game.
