James Wood had a two-run homer in a four-run second inning and Cade Cavalli pitched six strong innings as the visiting Washington Nationals never trailed in a 6-3 victory over the Cleveland Guardians on Tuesday night.
Washington matched its season-high by moving two games over .500, winning its season-high fourth in a row. Wood went 3-for-4 and Keibert Ruiz had a two-run single earlier in the second to help the Nationals secure a series win over American League Central-leading Guardians. The teams wrap up the series on Wednesday afternoon.
Andres Chaparro extended Washington’s lead to 6-1 with a two-run single in the ninth, which became important when Cleveland rookie Travis Bazzana hit an RBI double and Jose Ramirez added an RBI groundout in the bottom half of the inning.
Cavalli (3-3) allowed one run on five hits, striking out seven with two walks. Mitchell Parker gave up two runs over the final three frames for his first save of the season.
Wood’s blast, which landed just inside the foul pole in right, came one batter after Washington took a 2-0 lead on a single through a drawn-in infield by Keibert Ruiz. Ruiz’s liner went past shortstop Brayan Rocchio and scored Daylen Lile and Nasim Nunez.
The Guardians pulled within 4-1 in the fifth when Ramirez lifted a sacrifice fly, scoring Steven Kwan.
The Nationals belted six home runs Monday in a 10-2 win in Cleveland, including a solo shot by leadoff hitter Wood, who leads the majors with 49 runs and ranks in the top 10 in homers with 15.
Guardians starter Joey Cantillo (4-2) had his three-game winning streak snapped with his shortest outing of the season, giving up four runs on three hits in two innings. The left-hander tied his career high with four walks, tossed two wild pitches and struck out one.
