Mariners vs Nationals Recap: Nats Roll to 8-3 Win

The Mariners rolled into Washington hot. They'd just demolished the Nationals 10-2 the night before, their bats on fire. But today was a brand-new game. Luis Castillo took the mound for Seattle, looking to shut down the home team. The Nationals had other plans. In the first inning, things exploded fast. CJ Abrams ripped a single to left field that brought in Luis Garcia Jr. Daylen Lile followed with a triple to right that scored Abrams. Dylan Crews singled next, driving in Lile. Just like that—three runs before Seattle recorded an out. The Nationals grabbed an early 3-0 lead and the crowd at their stadium was roaring. The Mariners needed an answer, and they needed it quick.

The Mariners fought back in the fifth inning. Mitch Garver singled to center, scoring Miles Mastrobuoni to make it 3-1. Colt Emerson stepped up next and crushed a fastball that sailed 386 feet over the right field wall. His two-run homer tied the game at 3-3. But the Nationals wouldn't stay quiet. Luis Garcia Jr. blasted a 408-foot bomb to right-center field that scored James Wood and put Washington back on top 5-3. The teams traded blows like prizefighters in a ring. The Mariners had clawed back, but the Nationals had an answer waiting. Castillo's command was slipping, and Washington's hitters smelled blood in the water.

The seventh inning was where the Nationals put the game away for good. After a rough pitching change, things fell apart for Seattle. CJ Abrams singled to left, driving in Andres Chaparro to make it 6-3. Then a pickoff error by Eduard Bazardo allowed Abrams to score. Jose Tena came through with a clutch single to center, scoring Dylan Crews and making it 8-3. The Nationals were unstoppable now. Every batter seemed ready to strike. Washington's young lineup—led by the power of Abrams, Wood, and Garcia Jr.—had turned this game into a blowout. The Mariners couldn't recover. Final score: Nationals 8, Mariners 3. Washington improved to 35-35, while Seattle fell to 37-35.