Nationals vs Orioles Recap: Garcia Jr. stars with 2 HR, 5 RBI

The Washington Nationals came into Camden Yards looking to keep their winning streak alive. After beating the Orioles 4-3 the night before, they had momentum on their side. Baltimore needed a win to climb back in the race. But from the very first inning, this game belonged to one man: Luis Garcia Jr.

Pete Alonso launched the first punch for the Orioles in the bottom of the first. The powerful slugger crushed a 437-foot blast that rocketed over the center field wall. Adley Rutschman scored ahead of him. The Orioles led 2-0 and the crowd at Camden Yards roared.

Then came the top of the third inning. Garcia Jr. stepped up against Kyle Bradish and smashed a double to center field. Both James Wood and Keibert Ruiz raced home. The score was tied 2-2. But the Nationals weren't done. Curtis Mead reached on an error, and Garcia Jr. sprinted home. Washington took the lead 3-2. Garcia Jr. was just getting started.

Garcia Jr. kept attacking. In the top of the fifth inning, he faced Tyler Wells. The Nationals slugger saw a changeup and didn't miss. The ball rocketed over right-center field—a 401-foot bomb. James Wood crossed the plate ahead of him. The Nationals extended their lead to 5-2.

But Garcia Jr. wasn't finished yet. Two innings later, Albert Suarez took the mound in the seventh. Garcia Jr. crushed his third home run of the day—another blast to right-center, this one traveling 377 feet. The umpires reviewed the play and confirmed it was good. Washington led 6-2 and Garcia Jr. had five RBIs.

Baltimore refused to fade quietly. Jackson Holliday smashed a two-run homer to right-center field in the bottom of the seventh, scoring Colton Cowser. The Orioles cut the lead to 6-4. The game was tightening up, but Washington's bats had already done the heavy lifting.

The Nationals' bullpen slammed the door shut when it mattered most. Zack Littell earned the win after pitching five strong innings, giving up just three hits and striking out three. He allowed two runs but kept the Orioles from exploding. PJ Poulin came in for the save, working two innings without giving up any hits.

The Orioles got close but couldn't complete the comeback. They stayed alive with their early scoring, but Garcia Jr. was simply unstoppable. Washington's lineup found just enough offense to pull away. The final score read Washington 6, Baltimore 4.

With this victory, the Nationals improved to 44-42 on the season and stayed hot with their second straight win. They proved they could win on the road against a tough Baltimore team. The Orioles fell to 39-46, dropping their second straight game. Washington's young pitching staff came through when needed, and Garcia Jr.'s hot bat proved to be the difference in this matchup.