Orioles vs Nats Recap: 13-3 rout fuels Washington surge

The Washington Nationals hosted the Baltimore Orioles on Saturday at home, and the Nationals came out swinging. Baltimore's Chris Bassitt took the mound for the Orioles, while Cade Cavalli started for Washington. After a quiet first inning, the Nationals exploded in the second. Ruiz crushed a fastball 366 feet to right field, sending Abrams and Nuñez across home plate. That three-run blast gave Washington an early 3-0 lead. One inning later, Abrams doubled to right, scoring Wood and extending the Nationals' advantage to 4-0. The Orioles' pitching struggled early, and Baltimore found themselves chasing the game from the start. Washington's young hitters showed why they could become dangerous, demonstrating their power and resilience despite the team's rebuilding season.

Baltimore stayed quiet through six innings, but the Orioles refused to give up. In the seventh inning, they finally broke through against the Nationals' pitching. Basallo stepped up and launched a sweeper 376 feet over the right field wall for a solo home run. O'Neill followed with an even more impressive blast, crushing a fastball 402 feet to left field. Ward then singled to left, scoring Taveras and making it 3-4. The Orioles had scored three runs and suddenly had momentum on their side. However, Washington answered right back with seven runs in their half of the seventh. The Nationals' bats came alive, with multiple hits and smart baserunning extending their lead significantly. Baltimore's brief comeback was overshadowed by Washington's devastating response.

The Nationals put on an offensive clinic in the seventh and eighth innings. In the seventh, House doubled to left, scoring Wood. Then Daylen Lile reached on a fielder's choice, and Brady House scored. Ruiz singled to left, bringing home both Abrams and Lile. Young followed with a three-run home run over the left field wall, traveling 391 feet and putting two more runners across. By the end of the seventh, Washington led 11-3. The Nationals weren't finished. In the eighth inning, House homered to left, a 369-foot blast that scored Mead. Washington's final score reached 13-3, an impressive offensive display that showcased the Nationals' young talent and power. Baltimore's pitching struggled throughout, unable to contain the onslaught of hits and home runs.