Nationals Stun Tigers with Electrifying Late-Inning Comeback
The Washington Nationals gave their fans a game to remember, rallying in spectacular fashion to secure a thrilling 9-4 win over the American League-leading Detroit Tigers. With the score close and tension high, the Nationals delivered a six-run explosion in the bottom of the eighth inning to split the doubleheader and snap Detroit’s winning momentum.
The Tigers entered the game riding high, having dominated the Nationals in Game 1 of the day’s doubleheader with an 11-2 blowout behind Riley Greene’s two-homer, six-RBI performance. They carried that confidence into Game 2 and were leading 4-3 heading into the eighth inning. At that point, the Tigers were a perfect 47-0 when leading after seven innings this season. But baseball has a way of humbling even the hottest of streaks.
That’s when the Nationals' veterans stepped up. Newly acquired slugger Nathaniel Lowe blasted a bases-loaded triple that cleared the bags, turning a one-run deficit into a two-run lead. His hit drove in CJ Abrams, James Wood, and Luis GarcÃa Jr., sending Nationals Park into a frenzy. Moments later, Josh Bell roped a double to left-center to bring Lowe home. Paul DeJong followed with an RBI single, making the score 8-4. Jacob Young capped off the rally by reaching on a fielder’s choice that scored another run.
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The eighth inning was a disaster for Tigers reliever Tommy Kahnle, who had been excellent all season until this outing. He was tagged for five runs and couldn’t retire a batter before being pulled. Detroit’s bullpen, which had been a reliable unit, simply didn’t have an answer for the Nationals' sudden surge of energy and clutch hitting.
Washington starter MacKenzie Gore pitched 5 1/3 innings, giving up two runs while striking out only two—a season low. He was solid but unspectacular, and it was the bullpen and timely offense that stole the show. Cole Henry picked up his first MLB win with a scoreless eighth inning, keeping things close before the offensive explosion.
One of the most memorable moments of the night came on defense, when Jacob Young robbed Riley Greene of what could’ve been a momentum-shifting home run in the ninth inning. His leaping catch at the wall sealed the Nationals’ victory and crushed any hope of a late Detroit rally.
While the Tigers had fought back earlier in the game and even held a lead after a two-run double by Jahmai Jones in the seventh, their bullpen’s collapse and missed opportunities in key moments proved costly. Spencer Torkelson and Colt Keith added RBIs earlier in the game, but Detroit couldn’t hold on.
Jack Flaherty, the Tigers' starter in Game 2, overcame a rocky first inning where he allowed four straight singles and threw 41 pitches, settling in to strike out nine over five innings. His gritty performance was overshadowed by the bullpen breakdown, but it gave the Tigers a chance to win.
Ultimately, this game was a shining example of why baseball is never over until the final out. With clutch performances from seasoned veterans and a jaw-dropping defensive play, the Nationals reminded everyone that they’re a team worth watching—especially when the lights shine brightest.
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