Nationals Cruise Past Reds 7-1 to Complete Three-Game Sweep

By Brian Hradsky | Maryland Sports Blog

The Washington Nationals defeated the Cincinnati Reds 7-1 Sunday afternoon at Nationals Park, completing a three-game sweep and continuing an impressive turnaround following a difficult stretch.

Washington received contributions throughout the lineup while a bullpen-day pitching plan worked nearly perfectly. Four Nationals pitchers combined to hold Cincinnati to just four hits as Washington won its third straight game and fourth in its past five after previously dropping seven consecutive contests.

The sweep was Washington’s second of the season, and the Nationals outscored Cincinnati 20-6 over the three games.

Reds Score First, Nationals Answer Immediately

Cincinnati struck first against Nationals opener Brad Lord in the second inning.

Tyler Stephenson opened the rally with a single before Eugenio Suárez was hit by a pitch. Hector Rodriguez advanced both runners with a groundout, and Dane Myers followed with a sacrifice fly to right that scored Stephenson and gave the Reds a 1-0 lead.

Washington’s response came immediately.

Dylan Crews and Jorbit Vivas opened the bottom half of the inning with consecutive singles. After the Nationals recorded their first out, Keibert Ruiz singled home Crews to tie the game.

Jacob Young then lifted a sacrifice fly that brought Vivas home and put Washington ahead 2-1.

The Nationals never trailed again.

Ortiz Goes Deep

Abimelec Ortiz extended Washington’s advantage in the third inning with one of the biggest swings of the afternoon.

Ortiz led off against Reds starter Brady Singer and drove an opposite-field home run to give Washington a 3-1 lead.

It was Ortiz’s second Major League home run and his second homer in eight games since being recalled from Triple-A Rochester.

The 24-year-old finished the afternoon with two hits as he continues trying to establish himself as part of Washington’s future.

Will Dion Impresses in Nationals Debut Stretch

Washington’s pitching staff made the three-run lead feel much larger.

Lord worked 2 2/3 innings as the opener, allowing Cincinnati’s lone run on two hits before turning things over to recently acquired left-hander Will Dion.

Dion was outstanding.

The left-hander retired the first nine batters he faced before eventually surrendering a hit. Dion finished with three scoreless innings and earned the victory, improving to 1-0.

Washington acquired Dion from the Cleveland Guardians as part of the Aug. 3 trade that sent All-Star pitcher Foster Griffin to Cleveland. Dion was one of four players Washington received in the deal.

Performances like Sunday’s will make that trade considerably more interesting for Nationals fans moving forward.

Trevor Williams followed Dion and continued his strong return from elbow surgery. Williams tossed another 2 1/3 scoreless innings and maintained a 0.00 ERA since returning to the Nationals on July 29.

Jake Bird then pitched a hitless ninth inning to finish Washington’s four-hit effort.

Nationals Add Insurance

Washington remained ahead 3-1 until the seventh inning.

CJ Abrams opened the inning with a single, stole second and advanced to third when Cincinnati committed an error on a pickoff attempt.

Daylen Lile then delivered a ground-ball single into right field, scoring Abrams and stretching Washington’s lead to 4-1.

The Nationals put the game away one inning later.

Vivas opened the eighth with an infield single before Andrew Pinckney entered as a pinch runner and stole second. Nasim Nuñez followed with another single, and Cincinnati intentionally walked Ruiz to load the bases.

Young brought home Washington’s fifth run on a fielder’s choice.

Andrés Chaparro then delivered the final blow, ripping a two-run double that scored two more runners and increased the Nationals’ lead to 7-1.

Chaparro and Young each finished with two RBIs.

Ruiz Leads Balanced Nationals Offense

Ruiz led Washington with three hits as the Nationals repeatedly created traffic against Cincinnati pitching.

Ortiz added two hits, while Washington collected eight hits against Singer alone.

Singer fell to 5-11 after allowing three runs on eight hits over six innings. He walked one and struck out three.

Washington’s ability to tack on four additional runs after Singer exited turned what had been a competitive game into a comfortable victory.

A Much-Needed Sweep

The Nationals entered the Cincinnati series searching for momentum.

They found plenty of it.

Washington had recently endured a seven-game losing streak but has now won four of five, including three straight against Cincinnati.

Perhaps even more encouraging was how Washington won Sunday.

The Nationals received production from young players such as Ortiz, Crews, Lile and Vivas. Ruiz produced three hits. Abrams created a run with his speed. Young drove in two runs without needing an extra-base hit, while Chaparro supplied the late knockout punch.

On the mound, Washington successfully pieced together nine innings despite entering the afternoon without a traditional starter expected to work deep into the game.

Dion’s performance could be the most significant development of all. The Nationals gave up a valuable veteran in Griffin at the trade deadline, making every prospect acquired in return worth monitoring closely.

Dion’s first major contribution was an impressive one.

MSB Take

The 2026 Nationals have gone through enough frustrating stretches that one three-game series will not suddenly change the entire season.

But this was exactly what Washington needed.

A sweep.

Strong pitching.

Young players producing.

And perhaps most importantly, some momentum.

Washington outscored Cincinnati 20-6 over the weekend and finished the series Sunday by allowing only four hits.

The Nationals have spent much of the season trying to determine which players belong in their long-term plans. Games like this provide useful information.

Ortiz continues making an impression. Dion looked excellent in his first opportunity following the Griffin trade. Lile delivered another important hit, while Washington received contributions throughout the lineup.

For a rebuilding club, those developments can matter nearly as much as the final score.

Sunday offered both.

Final: Washington Nationals 7, Cincinnati Reds 1

Washington completes the three-game sweep at Nationals Park and has now won four of its past five games.