Nationals Power Past Astros with Dual 20‑HR Game

CJ Abrams and Luis García Jr. both launched their 20th home runs of the season, fueling an 8‑2 victory over the Houston Astros on Wednesday night. Washington’s pitching stayed stellar as Foster Griffin (10‑2) worked seven innings, allowing just one run while striking out a career‑high nine batters. The win pushed the Nationals two games above the .500 mark after taking two of three from Houston.

García’s three‑run shot to right‑center in the fourth gave Washington a crucial cushion, marking his 11th homer in just 18 games since June 19. Abrams added a leadoff blast in the fifth to extend the lead to 6‑1, and the Nationals later loaded the bases before José Tena’s ground‑out and Keibert Ruiz’s sac‑fly closed the scoring. Brice Matthews accounted for Houston’s lone RBI on a fifth‑inning single.

Key Performances

Griffin’s dominance was highlighted by a career‑tied nine strikeouts and no walks, his seventh straight start with only one earned run. The 30‑year‑old left‑hander posted a 4‑0 record with a 1.25 ERA during that stretch, matching the most wins by a Nationals rookie since the franchise moved from Montreal before the 2005 campaign. He had been tied with John Lannan’s 2008 total before surpassing it.

Luis García Jr.’s 20th homer came on a three‑run drive that highlighted a productive offensive night for the Nationals. Abrams, who also hit his 20th, added a sacrifice fly early that plated James Wood, setting up the doubles by Daylen Lile that drove in García.

Houston’s starter Spencer Arrighetti (7‑5) struggled, surrendering eight runs on seven hits and a season‑high six walks across four plus innings. The Astros’ offense was limited to Brice Matthews’ single, leaving them to look for a turnaround against the Texas Rangers on Friday.

Up Next

Hunter Brown (1‑0, 3.38 ERA) will toe the mound for the Astros on Friday as they face the Texas Rangers. For Washington, righty Zack Littell (7‑6, 5.02) is slated to start against the New York Yankees at home in the series finale.