James Wood looks to continue his strong start to 2026 when the Washington Nationals host the Atlanta Braves in the third contest of their four-game series on Wednesday night.
In Tuesday’s 11-4 win, Wood smacked a solo homer, walked four times and scored three runs as Washington collected 10 hits and 12 walks.
“I feel like one through nine, everyone was having good at-bats,” Wood said. “Pitching staff did great. [Starter] Foster [Griffin] was great today.”
Wood leads the National League with 21 walks, is tied for the lead with eight home runs and is second with 23 runs scored.
Atlanta sends veteran left-hander Martin Perez (1-1, 2.21 ERA) against veteran right-hander Zack Littell (0-2, 7.11) on Wednesday.
Perez has allowed one earned run or less in three of his four starts. Last time out he tossed six scoreless innings and allowed four hits in a 9-0 win against the Philadelphia Phillies. The 35-year-old Perez retired 11 of the final 13 batters he faced.
“He’s a pro, and he’s still really good,” Braves manager Walt Weiss said. “He can still really pitch. He pitched really well last year, and he’s off to a great start this year.”
Perez is 1-2 with a 6.23 ERA in five games, four starts versus Washington.
Littell has not enjoyed similar success of late. He lasted just four innings in his last start — a loss to the San Francisco Giants, allowing eight runs on 11 hits.
He is 1-1 with a 9.00 ERA in 10 games (one start) against the Braves.
Luis Garcia Jr. had a four-hit night, his first of the season, for the Nationals on Tuesday. He finished 4-for-5 with a double, a run scored and three RBIs.
After scoring three runs against Reynaldo Lopez in the first inning Tuesday, the Nationals have scored 25 first-inning runs, the most in the majors.
“Obviously, Lopez is a really good pitcher,” Nationals manager Blake Butera said. “I know he didn’t have it tonight necessarily, but I think our hitters did a really good job of making him come to them and laying off some pitches outside of the zone.”
Drake Baldwin and Eli White homered, and Mauricio Dubon had two hits for Atlanta, which had won six straight. The Braves have only lost consecutive games once this season, a three-game skid April 4-6.
Baldwin has reached base safely in 23 of 24 games this season. He is tied for third in the majors with 22 RBIs.
Ronald Acuna Jr. played and went 1-for-5 one day after being hit by a pitch twice, including once on the left hand.
The Braves placed closer Raisel Iglesias on the 15-day injured list with right shoulder inflammation. The move was retroactive to Monday.
“I’m not sure how long this is going to be,” Weiss said. “You just never know. But we’re certainly optimistic it’s going to be shorter than a long absence. All things are positive right now.”
In the meantime, Robert Suarez will serve as Atlanta’s closer. He led the N.L. with 40 saves last season for San Diego.
-Field Level Media
