WASHINGTON, D.C., July 3, 2025 — The Washington Nationals and Detroit Tigers split a doubleheader at Nationals Park on July 2, 2025, with the Tigers winning Game 1, 11-2, and the Nationals staging a comeback to take Game 2, 9-4. The games, rescheduled after a July 1 postponement due to inclement weather, showcased offensive firepower from both teams, with Detroit’s Riley Greene and Washington’s Nathaniel Lowe delivering standout performances.
In Game 1, the Tigers (54-32, 1st AL Central) erupted for 11 runs, powered by Greene’s two home runs and six RBIs. Jake Rogers added a three-run homer, and Spencer Torkelson contributed a solo shot. Detroit’s 15 hits overwhelmed Nationals starter Trevor Williams, who allowed seven earned runs in three innings, dropping to 3-10 with a 6.21 ERA. Dylan Smith earned the win in relief, pitching 3.1 scoreless innings. The Nationals (35-50, 5th NL East) managed two runs, with Josh Bell and James Wood driving in one each, but left 13 runners on base.
Game 2 saw the Nationals rally for a 6-run eighth inning to secure a 9-4 victory. Lowe’s bases-clearing triple and Bell’s two-run double off Tigers reliever Tommy Kahnle proved decisive, flipping a 4-3 deficit. Jahmari Jones led Detroit with two RBIs, and Torkelson added one, but the Tigers stranded seven runners. Tanner Henry earned the win for Washington, while Kahnle took the loss, his ERA rising to 3.03. MacKenzie Gore started for the Nationals, allowing two earned runs over 5.1 innings. The sports card above provides complete Game 2 stats.
The doubleheader, played before crowds of 13,994 and 16,095, highlighted the teams’ contrasting seasons. Detroit, with a 54-33 record, leads the AL Central and boasts a .256 batting average, fourth-best in MLB. Washington, at 36-50, struggles with a 5.03 team ERA, 28th in the majors. The Nationals’ 6-run rally in Game 2, as noted in posts on X, underscored their resilience despite a challenging season.
Detroit’s Game 1 dominance stemmed from a six-run first inning, with Greene’s three-run homer setting the tone. Zach McKinstry went 4-for-5, and Colt Keith added three hits. Washington’s pitching faltered, with relievers Jackson Rutledge and Eduardo Salazar also conceding runs. In Game 2, Washington’s offense clicked late, with Lowe and Bell combining for seven RBIs. The Nationals’ defense, including an outfield assist by Jacob Young, helped limit Detroit’s scoring chances.
The Tigers’ pitching in Game 1 featured strong relief from Smith, who inherited three runners and allowed none to score. Jack Flaherty started Game 2 but struggled, allowing three earned runs. Washington’s bullpen, despite a blown save by Jose Ferrer, sealed the win with Kyle Finnegan’s scoreless ninth. Both games, lasting 2 hours and 49 minutes and 2 hours and 55 minutes, respectively, were played under partly cloudy skies with temperatures in the low 80s.
Nationals Park, opened in 2008, remains a vibrant venue for D.C. baseball, hosting 36,050 fans across the doubleheader. The Tigers, who hold a 12-10 edge in the interleague matchup, face a 6-5 deficit in games at Nationals Park []. The series concludes on July 3, with both teams aiming to build momentum heading into the holiday weekend.
The split doubleheader sets the stage for a competitive series finale as both teams vie for supremacy in this interleague clash.
