Washington Nationals Defeat Orioles 13-3 to Reach .500 Record
The Washington Nationals achieved a significant milestone by defeating the Baltimore Orioles 13-3, reaching a .500 record for the first time since 2024. Catcher Keibert Ruiz led the offensive surge with five RBIs, while pitcher Cade Cavalli delivered a strong performance with eight strikeouts. The victory ended a frustrating streak of losses in potential even-record games for Washington. Conversely, the Orioles suffered a bullpen collapse and continue to struggle offensively, dropping their record to 20-26. The win positions the Nationals to potentially sweep the home series.
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Gunnar Henderson Hits 10th HR as Orioles Defeat Nationals 7-3
The Baltimore Orioles avoided a series sweep by defeating the Washington Nationals 7-3 on Sunday, May 17, 2026, driven by a standout performance from shortstop Gunnar Henderson. Henderson hit his 10th home run of the season into the third deck in right field off opener Richard Lovelady, giving Baltimore an early 1-0 lead. He finished the game 4-for-5 with two RBIs, marking his fifth career four-hit game. The Orioles' offense remained active throughout, with Coby Mayo adding a two-run homer in the second inning and Colton Cowser breaking a 111-plate-appearance hitless streak with a two-run shot in the fourth. Anthony Nunez secured the win in relief, striking out key batters after starter Brandon Young allowed two runs over 3 2/3 innings. For the Nationals, Jacob Young hit his fifth home run of the season, but it was insufficient to overcome Baltimore's offensive surge. This victory marked the first time this season the Orioles scored in four consecutive innings to start a game, signaling a turnaround after being shut out in previous losses.
yahoo sportsGunnar Henderson Leads Orioles Past Nationals 7-3 to Avoid Sweep
The Baltimore Orioles defeated the Washington Nationals 7-3 in Washington on Sunday, May 17, 2026, preventing a three-game series sweep. Gunnar Henderson was the standout performer for Baltimore, recording four hits, including a solo home run, a double, and two singles. His offensive surge helped the Orioles overcome a recent slump where they had scored three runs or fewer in eight of their previous nine games. Coby Mayo and Colton Cowser also contributed with home runs for Baltimore. Anthony Nunez earned the win after pitching 1 1/3 scoreless innings in relief, striking out Luis Garcia Jr. to end a threatening fourth inning for the Nationals. For Washington, Jacob Young hit a solo home run, and James Wood added two hits and a walk. Despite loading the bases in the fourth and scoring additional runs in the seventh, the Nationals could not close the gap. The victory improved the Orioles' momentum, while the Nationals missed their chance to secure their first home series sweep of the season.
Deadspin > Sports News Without Fear, Favor or CompromiseOrioles Defeat Nationals 7-3 Behind Early Offensive Surge
The Baltimore Orioles secured a 7-3 victory over the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on May 17, 2026, avoiding a series sweep with a dominant early offensive performance. Baltimore scored in each of the first four innings, establishing an insurmountable lead. Gunnar Henderson initiated the scoring with a solo home run in the first inning, followed by Coby Mayo's two-run homer in the second. Colton Cowser also contributed with a home run, while Pete Alonso added a sacrifice fly in the third inning. Starting pitcher Brandon Young delivered a crucial performance, limiting damage after allowing a solo home run to Jacob Young in the bottom of the second. The Orioles' bullpen effectively closed out the game after Young's short outing. This win marked a departure from the team's recent trend of playing from behind, showcasing their ability to control the game tempo from the start. Key contributors included Henderson, Mayo, and Cowser, whose power hitting defined the matchup. The victory highlighted Baltimore's resilience and offensive depth against their division rivals in the nation's capital.
yahoo sportsWashington Nationals Reach .500 Record After Defeating Baltimore Orioles
The Washington Nationals achieved a significant milestone by reaching a .500 win-loss record (23-23) after defeating their regional rivals, the Baltimore Orioles, with a decisive 13-3 victory at Nationals Park on May 16, 2026. The game was initially tense, with the Nationals holding a narrow lead until the seventh inning. Although pitcher Cade Cavalli struggled in the seventh, allowing back-to-back home runs, the team managed to limit the damage and secure the win. The standout performer was catcher Keibert Ruiz, who hit a crucial three-run home run in the second inning. Ruiz has shown remarkable improvement this season, boasting a .471 slugging percentage despite a lower on-base percentage. Manager Blake Butera praised Ruiz's dedication and willingness to adapt, highlighting his positive impact on the team. This victory marks the end of a streak of fifteen failed attempts to reach the .500 mark, signaling a positive turn for the franchise under its new management regime. The win provides a morale boost and demonstrates the immediate impact of the current coaching staff.
yahoo sportsWashington Nationals Reach .500 Record with Dominant Win Over Orioles
The Washington Nationals achieved a significant milestone in the 2026 MLB season by reaching a .500 win-loss record following a decisive 13-3 victory over the Baltimore Orioles at Nationals Park. This achievement serves as early-season vindication for the team, which had been widely projected by major outlets to win no fewer than 70 games and was initially tabbed as one of the league's weakest teams. The Nationals had previously failed fifteen times to break past the .500 threshold, including five attempts under manager Blake Butera. Key performances included catcher Keibert Ruiz, who recorded a career-high five RBIs with a three-run homer, and Brady House, who contributed crucial runs via a double and a home run after entering as a pinch hitter. The win, part of a home series victory, marks the first time the team has been at .500 since May 2024. Manager Butera highlighted the renewed energy and excitement among the 79,400 fans in attendance, noting the positive atmosphere in the Navy Yard area. The team now aims for their first home series sweep of the season in the upcoming final game.
yahoo sportsNationals Reach .500, Aim for Series Sweep Against Orioles
The Washington Nationals defeated the Baltimore Orioles 13-3 on Saturday, reaching a .500 record (23-23) for the first time since May 2024. This milestone ends a streak of 15 losses in games that could have brought them to even standings. The Nationals now aim for their first home series sweep of the season in the final game against Baltimore. Key performers for Washington included Keibert Ruiz, who drove in five runs, and Jacob Young, who hit a crucial three-run homer in a seven-run seventh inning. Manager Blake Butera praised the team's momentum despite acknowledging the desire for a better record. Conversely, the Orioles have struggled offensively, scoring three or fewer runs in eight of their last nine games. Sunday's matchup features Orioles pitcher Brandon Young, who has a strong 4-1 record in his starts, against Nationals right-hander Miles Mikolas. While Mikolas has a high season ERA, he has shown recent improvement. The Orioles' manager Craig Albernaz emphasized the need for urgency as they attempt to avoid the sweep and halt their recent losing trend.
Deadspin > Sports News Without Fear, Favor or CompromiseOrioles Collapse Late in 13-3 Defeat to Nationals
The Baltimore Orioles suffered a decisive 13-3 loss to the Washington Nationals, dropping their record to 20-26 and matching a season-low six games under .500. Despite falling into an early deficit, Baltimore mounted a comeback attempt in the seventh inning, scoring three runs on back-to-back home runs by Samuel Basallo and Tyler O’Neill, along with an RBI single by Taylor Ward. This surge pulled them within one run and chased Nationals starter Cade Cavalli. However, the Orioles' bullpen collapsed immediately after. Keegan Akin and Andrew Kittredge allowed a seven-run rally for Washington, highlighted by a two-run single from Keibert Ruiz and a three-run homer by Jacob Young. Ruiz finished with five RBIs, including a earlier three-run shot off Orioles starter Chris Bassitt. Bassitt took the loss after yielding four runs over five innings. Cavalli secured the win with eight strikeouts over 6 1/3 innings. The Nationals added two more runs in the eighth via a Brady House homer. This defeat marked the second-highest run allowance for Baltimore this season, continuing a offensive slump where they have scored three or fewer runs in eight of their last nine games.
yahoo sportsNationals Defeat Orioles 13-3 to Reach .500 Record
The Washington Nationals secured a decisive 13-3 victory over the Baltimore Orioles on Saturday, May 16, 2026, at Nationals Park, allowing them to reach a .500 win-loss record for the first time since 2024. Catcher Keibert Ruiz led the offensive charge with three hits, including a three-run home run, and five runs batted in. Pitcher Cade Cavalli delivered a strong performance, throwing 6 1/3 innings, allowing three runs on eight hits, and striking out eight batters without issuing a walk. Other key contributors for Washington included Jacob Young and Brady House, who each hit home runs, and CJ Abrams, who recorded three hits. The Orioles struggled offensively, managing only three runs despite home runs from Samuel Basallo and Tyler O'Neill. Starting pitcher Chris Bassitt took the loss for Baltimore, surrendering four runs in five innings. This win marks a significant turnaround for the Nationals, who had previously lost 15 games when they had the opportunity to reach the .500 milestone. The Orioles have now scored three runs or fewer in eight of their last nine games, highlighting their recent offensive struggles.
Deadspin > Sports News Without Fear, Favor or CompromiseNationals Reach .500 With 13-3 Win Over Orioles Behind Cavalli's Pitching and Ruiz's Five RBIs
The Washington Nationals achieved a significant milestone by reaching a .500 record for the first time in two years, defeating the Baltimore Orioles 13-3 in a Beltway Series matchup on Saturday. Right-hander Cade Cavalli delivered a strong performance, pitching six scoreless innings and carrying a shutout into the seventh before allowing two solo home runs. He finished with eight strikeouts over 6 1/3 innings. Offensively, catcher Keibert Ruiz was the standout player, hitting a three-run homer and driving in a career-high five runs, falling just short of hitting for the cycle. Additional power came from Jacob Young and Brady House, who both hit home runs to help break open a close game in the seventh inning. The Nationals scored seven runs in the seventh to secure the blowout victory. This win ends a frustrating streak where the team had previously lost 15 games when one win away from an even record. The Orioles' starter, Chris Bassitt, struggled, allowing four runs over five innings. The series concludes Sunday with starts by Brandon Young and Miles Mikolas.
yahoo sportsWashington Nationals Hit .500, Dominate Orioles in Home Series Win
The Washington Nationals defeated the Baltimore Orioles 13-3 in a dominant home performance, securing their second consecutive home series win and returning to a .500 record for the first time since April 1, 2026. The victory improved Washington's home record to 8-13 at Nationals Park. Catcher Keibert Ruiz was instrumental in the offensive surge, finishing 3-for-4 with five RBIs, narrowly missing a cycle. Starting pitcher Cade Cavalli contributed significantly on the mound, recording eight strikeouts over 6.1 innings despite allowing two solo home runs in the seventh inning. The game featured dramatic moments, including a reviewed foul pole call that denied the Orioles a potential game-tying hit. The Nationals extended their lead in the bottom of the seventh with key contributions from James Wood, CJ Abrams, and a three-run homer by Jacob Young. Brady House added a two-run home run in the eighth, becoming the fifth player in franchise history to record multiple extra-base hits off the bench. The team now aims for a series sweep in the final matchup against Baltimore.
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