WASHINGTON, D.C. — Curtis Mead smashed a tiebreaking three-run home run in the bottom of the seventh inning to power the Washington Nationals to a 6-4 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Tuesday night.
The victory positions the Nationals for a three-game series sweep on Wednesday, while handing the sliding Royals their sixth loss in seven games. With the defeat, Kansas City drops to a season-high 16 games under .500.
Nuñez Sparks the Offense
While Mead provided the definitive blast, second baseman Nasim Nuñez was the catalyst all night for Washington. Nuñez tripled twice, scored three times, and drove in a run.
He opened the scoring in the third inning with an RBI triple, later crossing the plate on a James Wood sacrifice fly. After Kansas City’s Bobby Witt Jr. drove in a run with a single in the fifth, Nuñez immediately responded in the bottom half of the frame with his second triple of the night, scoring once again on a Wood single. Nuñez also flashed the leather early, making a spectacular diving catch to rob Tyler Tolbert of a hit in the second inning.
Late-Inning Drama
Washington starter Foster Griffin, a former first-round pick of the Royals a dozen years ago, turning in a strong performance. Griffin allowed just one run on six hits across six innings, striking out six. It marked his fourth outing in his last five starts allowing one run or fewer.
However, the Royals fought back against Washington’s bullpen in the seventh. Isaac Collins delivered a clutch, two-out, two-run single to knot the game at 3-3.
The tie didn’t last long. In the bottom of the seventh, Nuñez drew a leadoff walk and manufactured a crucial hustle play, beating a double-play turn from shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. on a grounder by James Wood. After Nuñez stole third base, pinch-hitter Andrés Chaparro drew a walk, setting the stage for Mead. Mead launched an 11th-hour drive to left-center field for his 11th home run of the year, putting Washington ahead 6-3.
Closing It Out
Paxton Schultz (1-2) earned the relief win despite the blown lead, while Daniel Lynch IV (2-1) took the loss for Kansas City.
Gus Varland came on to pitch the ninth to secure his sixth save. Varland surrendered a solo home run to former National Lane Thomas, but shut the door from there to seal the 6-4 win.
The loss highlighted a persistent trend for the Royals, who fell to a major league-worst 3-17 against left-handed starting pitchers this season. The defeat also spoiled a quality start from Michael Wacha, who allowed three runs over six innings. It was Kansas City’s 35th quality start of the year—second only to the Los Angeles Dodgers—though the Royals drop to a frustrating 19-16 in those games.
Adding injury to insult, the banged-up Royals were forced to remove third baseman Maikel Garcia from the game in the sixth inning due to soreness in his left hand.
Up Next
The Nationals will look to complete the sweep on Wednesday, sending right-hander Zack Littell (6-5, 5.32 ERA) to the mound. The Royals will counter with Luinder Avila (1-3, 6.19 ERA) as they look to salvage the series finale.
