James Wood didn’t just seize the moment; he thrived in it. In the seventh inning at Nationals Park, with the Washington Nationals battling back against the New York Mets, Wood delivered a clutch single up the middle, putting his team ahead in a game that would end 7-5. The 21-year-old rookie heeded veteran Jesse Winker’s advice and produced his first MLB RBI off Jake Diekman. Manager Dave Martinez saw Wood’s potential, moving him to the No. 3 spot in the lineup, and the young star rewarded that trust with his first multi-hit game and a stolen base.
The Nationals’ bullpen steadied the ship after Wood’s timely hit. Jacob Barnes, Robert Garcia, Hunter Harvey, and Kyle Finnegan combined for three scoreless innings, ensuring the team held its lead. Luis García Jr. added another home run, while the once struggling lower part of the lineup sparked the comeback with key at-bats and timely hits.
A reshuffled lineup featuring CJ Abrams, Lane Thomas, and Jesse Winker worked wonders, producing needed offense against a strong Mets lineup. Abrams, Thomas, and rookie sensation Wood have become the backbone of the Nationals’ resurgence, showcasing both power and resilience as they claw back to a closer standing in the league.
