García homers as the Nationals beat the Reds 4-1
Washington Nationals pitcher Kyle Finnegan, left, catcher Keibert Ruiz, right, celebrate after winning a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds, Sunday, May 4, 2025, in Cincinnati. Credit: AP/Carolyn Kaster
CINCINNATI — Luis García Jr. homered during Washington's three-run seventh inning, and the Nationals beat the Cincinnati Reds 4-1 on Sunday.
García gave Washington a 2-1 lead with his one-out solo drive off Graham Ashcraft (2-3). CJ Abrams tacked on a two-run double against Taylor Rogers.
Jorge López (4-0) pitched two scoreless innings for the win, and Kyle Finnegan handled the ninth for his 11th save.
Washington took two of three in the weekend series at Cincinnati.
Nationals left-hander MacKenzie Gore struck out nine in five innings. He allowed four hits and walked four.
The Reds wasted a sharp performance by Nick Martinez, who struck out six while working six innings of one-run ball.
García put Washington in front with a sacrifice fly in the second. But Tyler Stephenson hit a leadoff drive in the bottom half for Cincinnati.
Washington Nationals pitcher Kyle Finnegan throws in the during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds, Sunday, May 4, 2025, in Cincinnati. Credit: AP/Carolyn Kaster
It was Stephenson’s first homer in his third game since he missed the start of the season with a left oblique strain.
Key moment
With two outs, a runner aboard and rain falling in the fifth, Elly De La Cruz hit a shot down the left-field line for Cincinnati that was initially ruled a home run before the umpires gathered and changed the call to a foul ball.
Key stat
Gore leads the majors with 68 strikeouts in just 46 innings.
Up next
The Nationals begin a six-game homestand on Monday night against the Cleveland Guardians.
Washington Nationals' Luis García Jr. watches his solo home run during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds, Sunday, May 4, 2025, in Cincinnati. Credit: AP/Carolyn Kaster
The Reds open a seven-game trip on Monday with the first of four against the Braves. Brady Singer (4-1, 3.24 ERA) starts for the Reds against AJ Smith-Shawver (1-2, 4.26 ERA).
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