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Jacob Young takes lead as Nationals beat Reds 5-4 | News, Sports, Jobs

Jacob Young takes lead as Nationals beat Reds 5-4 | News, Sports, Jobs


Washington Nationals’ Ildemaro Vargas (R) reacts as he scores on a single by Jacob Young during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds, Saturday, July 20, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

By BEN NUCKOLS AP Sports Journalist

WASHINGTON (AP) — Jacob Young hit a game-tying RBI single in the eighth inning, Lane Thomas bolstered his trade value with a run-scoring double and the Washington Nationals beat the Cincinnati Reds 5-4 on Saturday night.

Derek Law (6-2) threw two scoreless innings on a standout night for the Nationals’ bullpen after MacKenzie Gore’s shortest start of the season. Washington (46-53) has won two in a row over Cincinnati (47-52), dashing the Reds’ hopes of remaining relevant in the NL playoff race.

“That’s a good team there. They’re in the race,” Law said. “It shows we need to be in the race.”

Ildemaro Vargas doubled in the eighth inning against Justin Wilson (1-2). With two outs, Young drove Wilson’s first pitch through the left side to score Vargas from third base.

“I call that a locker room victory, it brings the team a little bit closer together,” Law said. “Everybody celebrates a little bit extra here.”

In the seventh, Thomas hit a low-and-away fastball from Fernando Cruz and drove it to right field to drive in Young and tie the game at 4-all. Young finished 2-for-3 with two stolen bases.

Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo had said a day earlier that he would listen to trade offers for Thomas, a solid defensive outfielder who had a stellar 2023 season with 28 home runs.

All-Star Kyle Finnegan, another potential trade target, made his 27th save in 31 chances in the ninth inning.

Tyler Stephenson hit his fifth home run in eight games, a 426-foot shot into the left-center stands in the third inning to give Cincinnati a 4-2 lead. By then, the Reds had knocked Gore out of the game.

Gore started by throwing seven straight balls. He needed 19 pitches to get one out, 40 to get two and 48 to retire the side. The Reds scored twice on three walks, a single and a sacrifice fly.

“I’ve got to get better. I understand what I’m doing wrong. I think we all do,” Gore said. “But I just have to find a solution because this is enough. I can’t keep doing this.”

After throwing 19 more pitches in the second inning and giving up Elly De La Cruz’s go-ahead RBI double, Gore was gone and replaced by Jordan Weems to start the third inning. Gore’s totals: three runs, two hits, four walks, 37 strikes and 30 balls.

“I wouldn’t send him back,” Nationals manager Dave Martinez said.

Nick Lodolo got off to a great start for Cincinnati, working his way into the seventh inning and leaving with a 4-3 lead.

“We’ve got to get that one. It starts with me too. We got two (runs) early and I gave them right back,” Lodolo said.

Harold Ramírez hit a 430-foot home run into the left-center stands in the first inning to tie the game at 2-2.

Washington’s Juan Yepez extended his 12-game winning streak with a single in the third inning.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Reds: OF TJ Friedl (hamstring) will begin a rehab assignment on Sunday with the goal of returning for the series at Tampa Bay that begins Friday. … INF Matt McLain (left shoulder surgery) will join the team in Atlanta on Monday, and the team is eyeing Aug. 12 as the start date of his rehab assignment.

Nationals: RHP Cade Cavalli (Tommy John surgery) felt a dead arm after his last minor league rehab start on June 21, then came down with the flu. He hasn’t pitched since, but is expected to be back on the flat soon.

NEXT ONE

Washington hopes for a three-game winning streak on Sunday, with right-handed pitcher Jake Irvin (7-8, 3.49 ERA) taking on left-handed pitcher Andrew Abbott (9-6, 3.39) of the Reds.

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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb



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