So by Friday afternoon, when the Washington Nationals’ clubhouse reopened, it didn’t take long for everything to return to a breakneck pace. What proved to be a hectic day ended with an 8-5 victory over the Cincinnati Reds to open a six-game homestand.
The Nationals (45-53) scored seven of their runs over the fourth and fifth innings, providing more than enough support for Patrick Corbin, who allowed one run on three hits over six innings. The Reds (47-51) scored four runs in the ninth against Jose A. Ferrer and Derek Law, but Kyle Finnegan earned the final out.
“Corbin was really good, pitched really well tonight,” Manager Dave Martinez said. “That’s what we needed after four days off. And our offense showed up. We were patient, got a couple of home runs.”
Well before the game, the clubhouse was filled with boxes. First-time all-star CJ Abrams was at his locker unpacking his new gear, including a bag with the All-Star Game logo on the side. His teammates pulled out new bats as they caught up with one another.
Then there was the pregame move: Washington reinstated Ferrer from the 60-day injured list after he missed the first half of the season with a left shoulder strain. To clear space, the team optioned reliever Amos Willingham — who made one appearance last weekend in Milwaukee — to Class AAA Rochester. Ferrer, paired with Robert Garcia, gives Martinez two left-handed options out of the bullpen — a rarity for the team the past few seasons.
There were the injury updates, mostly positive. First baseman Joey Gallo could start running next week as he rehabs a left hamstring sprain. Starter Cade Cavalli will head to West Palm Beach, Fla., soon to continue his rehab after Tommy John surgery. Trevor Williams, out with a right flexor strain, is throwing up to 75 feet now. But there was one major negative: Josiah Gray has a partial tear of his ulnar collateral ligament, meaning the right-hander will miss the rest of the 2024 season and a significant chunk of the 2025 campaign. He will have surgery Wednesday.
And there was a rare, hour-long post-all-star-break workout featuring two guests: Shortstop Seaver King and catcher Kevin Bazzell, whom the Nationals drafted in the first and third rounds, signed their contracts Friday.
“There’s a lot going on. We got a game today,” Martinez joked. “It’s pretty cool to see those young kids. I don’t know if I’m getting older or they’re getting younger. But I’m excited to see them and excited to see where our organization is going.”
King and Bazzell took batting practice in the team’s final group; Bazzell, who is from Texas, said he grew up watching Gallo, and they were in the same group Friday. Then King and Bazzell had their first news conference, joined by Washington’s new scouting director, Danny Haas, and General Manager Mike Rizzo — who spoke to the media ahead of the team’s second half.
Rizzo said the team will be aggressive ahead of the trade deadline, with the Nationals expected to be sellers. But he will have to get the right price, especially for Lane Thomas — whom Rizzo views as an everyday player, not a platoon player — and Finnegan, the team’s all-star closer who has performed so well that Rizzo said, “We’re not going to get rid of him easy.”
And after all the pregame madness, there was a baseball game.
Cincinnati grabbed a 1-0 lead in the third inning when Jonathan India singled to drive in Stuart Fairchild. But that was all Corbin would allow, striking out six by keeping the Reds off balance with his cutter and slider. Corbin threw his slider at two different speeds Friday, with some as low as 71 mph; he came in averaging 79.9.
In the fourth, James Wood hit a two-run single that drove in Jesse Winker and Juan Yepez. Reds right fielder Rece Hinds tried to throw Yepez out at home but accidentally drilled Wood in the back as he rounded first. Two batters later, catcher Keibert Ruiz clubbed a two-run homer to put Washington ahead 4-1. And in the fifth, Yepez hit a three-run shot to push the Nationals firmly in front. Jacob Young scored on a wild pitch in the seventh.
“When we get it going, it’s very fun,” Yepez said. “This team has a lot of talent, and we’re looking good.”
Cincinnati clawed all the way back to bring Elly De La Cruz to the plate in the ninth as the tying run, but Finnegan got him to ground out to second.
