Turning Point
James Wood provided the decisive blow in a high-scoring affair, launching a four-run home run in the fifth inning to give the Washington Nationals a lead they would not relinquish. The blast helped Washington secure a 12-11 victory over the Houston Astros at Nationals Park on Monday, July 6, 2026.
Game Action
The contest was a back-and-forth offensive showcase from the opening frame. The Astros struck first in the top of the first inning when Walker doubled to center field, driving in Paredes for a 1-0 advantage. Washington responded immediately in the bottom of the frame, with Mead doubling to center to score Wood, tying the game at 1-1.
Houston regained the lead in the second inning when Altuve homered to left field, a 372-foot shot that also brought Shewmake and Matthews home to make it 4-1. The Nationals answered in the third, with Diaz homering to left (389 feet) to score Smith, cutting the deficit to 4-1 before the inning continued. However, Houston extended their lead to 6-1 later in the third when García Jr. doubled and Nuñez scored, followed by Mead singling to left to bring Wood home, making it 6-2. Washington then exploded for three runs in the bottom of the third when Abrams homered to right (392 feet), scoring García Jr. and Mead to tie the game at 6-6.
The momentum shifted again in the fifth inning. Houston took an 8-6 lead when Millas hit a sacrifice fly to left to score Abrams. But Washington’s offense erupted immediately after. Wood homered to center (446 feet) in the same inning, driving in Crews, Young, and Nuñez to put the Nationals ahead 12-6.
Houston mounted a late rally. Shewmake grounded into a double play in the sixth but scored on the play to make it 12-7. In the eighth, Shewmake doubled to right, scoring Wade Jr. to bring the score to 12-8. Matthews then homered to left (363 feet), scoring Diaz and Shewmake, making the final score 12-11.
