The Washington Nationals go for their first series sweep since May when they host the Cincinnati Reds on Wednesday afternoon.
Washington’s last three-game series sweep took place May 16-18 in Baltimore. The Nationals have won the first two games against the Reds by scores of 10-8 and 6-1.
It is the Nationals’ third series win in their last 14.
“It’s always fun to win a series before the series is over, that’s for sure,” center fielder Jacob Young said. “The chance to sweep is awesome. But it feels great to win a series early like that and have a chance to sweep tomorrow and kind of get the second half going.”
Meanwhile, Cincinnati has not been swept in a three-game series yet this season. They have now dropped three straight and have lost four in a row on three occasions, but no team has swept three from the Reds, who remain in the thick of the National League wild-card race.
Cincinnati will send left-hander Nick Lodolo (7-6, 3.33 ERA) against right-hander Michael Soroka (3-7, 5.10) in the finale.
Lodolo has allowed two earned runs or less in five of his past six starts. Against the New York Mets on July 18, he gave up two runs on four hits over seven innings to earn the win.
He is 0-2 with a 6.67 ERA in three starts versus Washington.
Soroka is 0-4 since his last win, on June 6, and the Nationals have lost his last seven starts. That said, Soroka has been solid of late. Last time out, he gave up a run on three hits in five innings of a no-decision against the San Diego Padres.
He is 1-1 with a 5.23 ERA in two starts against the Reds.
Tuesday night, Josh Bell homered for the second straight game and Riley Adams had a bases-loaded single for the Nationals. Bell is batting .346 (18-for-52) with two home runs, five doubles, six RBIs and six runs scored over his last 15 games.
Washington’s Brad Lord, in his first start since early May, held the Reds to one run over four innings and Konnor Pilkington, in his first major league game since 2023, tossed two scoreless innings for the win.
“We got hits, we just didn’t string them together,” Reds manager Terry Francona said. “We knew their starter probably wouldn’t go real deep by design and Pilkington came in and gave them two really good innings.”
The Nationals also got scoreless innings from Luis Garcia, Andrew Chafin and Andry Lara, who worked the ninth in a non-save situation.
“Everyone’s got to contribute,” interim manager Miguel Cairo said. “We cannot be using the same guy all the time, because I don’t want to break their arms. Everyone is doing the little things. And when you’re given the chance to be put in the best situation to succeed, that’s what happens.”
Gavin Lux went 4-for-4 for the Reds, who are 1-4 versus the Nationals this season.
It was Lux’s third game of the year with at least three hits, and he is 11-for-24 with a double, three RBIs and a run scored over his last six games.
“He’s a great kid,” Francona said. “He’s done a really good job and we’re thrilled he’s here. That’s kind of the understatement.”
–Field Level Media
