CJ Abrams hit a decisive two-run home run in the ninth inning for the Washington Nationals, securing a 6-5 win over the NL Central-leading Milwaukee Brewers on Saturday. It marked the Nationals’ first consecutive wins since July 4.
Left-hander Mitchell Parker struggled early, lasting only two outs in the first inning and allowing the Brewers to build a 5-0 lead.
However, Washington’s bullpen stepped up, holding the Brewers scoreless for the remaining eight innings, yielding just three hits and striking out 10.
“It was an incredible win,” said Nationals manager Dave Martinez. “The team stayed resilient and fought back. Our bullpen was outstanding today, they were the heroes. Coming back from a 5-0 deficit is never easy.”
The Nationals’ offense contributed with three runs in the fourth inning, sparked by five consecutive hits that forced Milwaukee starter Dallas Keuchel out of the game early.
“We just couldn’t get things going on the ground today,” Keuchel remarked.
Luis Garcia added a pinch-hit home run in the sixth to narrow the gap to 5-4, and then helped set up the go-ahead runs with a two-out hit in the eighth inning.
Brewers manager Pat Murphy turned to closer Trevor Megill (0-2) to stop the Nationals’ rally, and although Megill struck out pinch-hitter Jesse Winker, he faced challenges in the ninth inning.
Megill allowed a leadoff single to Garcia, who advanced to second on Jacob Young’s sacrifice bunt. Abrams then stepped up and crushed a 1-0 pitch 416 feet to center field for his 15th home run of the season.
“We fell behind early, but we showed our resilience,” said Abrams, who will represent Washington in the upcoming All-Star Game. “Our bullpen was outstanding, and we came through with our bats.”
Derek Law (5-2) earned the win for Washington, while Kyle Finnegan closed the game with a scoreless ninth inning to secure his 25th save of the season.
