The Cincinnati Reds delivered a commanding 5-0 victory over the Washington Nationals on July 23, 2025, at Nationals Park, salvaging the final game of a three-game series. Led by a masterful complete-game shutout from pitcher Nick Lodolo and timely hitting from Jake Fraley and Noelvi Marte, the Cincinnati Reds showcased their resilience, snapping the Nationals’ five-game home win streak against them. The win moved the Reds to 53-50, maintaining their third-place standing in the NL Central, while the Nationals fell to 41-61, fifth in the NL East.
Lodolo’s Dominant Performance
Nick Lodolo was the star of the game, pitching his first career complete game for the Cincinnati Reds. The 27-year-old left-hander allowed just four hits, struck out eight, and issued no walks over nine innings, lowering his ERA to 3.08. Facing a Nationals lineup that included standout James Wood, Lodolo kept hitters off balance, inducing 10 groundouts and six flyouts on 105 pitches. His efficiency was evident as he retired key players like CJ Abrams and Luis GarcÃa Jr., who managed only a double among the team’s hits. Lodolo’s performance was a cornerstone for the Cincinnati Reds, who relied on his recent consistency—five wins in his last six starts—to secure the shutout.
The Reds’ offense broke through in the fourth inning against Nationals starter Michael Soroka. Elly De La Cruz drew a leadoff walk, stole second base—his 27th steal of the season—and scored on a line-drive single by Jake Fraley, giving the Cincinnati Reds a 1-0 lead. Fraley’s hit, one of his two on the day, marked a critical moment, boosting the Reds’ win probability to 63.1%. The Reds’ disciplined approach at the plate capitalized on Soroka’s struggles, as he allowed three hit-by-pitches and faced 24 batters over 5.2 innings.
Late Innings Spark Reds’ Offense
The Cincinnati Reds extended their lead in the eighth inning, capitalizing on Nationals reliever Jackson Rutledge’s struggles. Austin Hays and Fraley singled, setting the stage for Noelvi Marte’s double to left field, which scored Hays and sent Fraley to third. Marte’s hit, his sixth double of the season, pushed the Reds’ lead to 2-0. Jose Trevino followed with a sacrifice fly, scoring Fraley to make it 3-0. In the ninth, the Cincinnati Reds added two more runs off reliever Andry Lara, with Matt McLain and Elly De La Cruz driving in runs to cap the scoring. Santiago Espinal, starting at first base, contributed two hits, including a single that set up the eighth-inning rally, finishing with a .251 batting average.
The Nationals struggled to generate offense against Lodolo, leaving three runners on base and going 0-for-2 with runners in scoring position. James Wood, one of the few bright spots, was caught stealing by Reds catcher Jose Trevino, halting a potential rally. A fielding error by Nationals third baseman Brady House led to an unearned run, further hampering Washington’s chances. The Nationals’ bullpen, including Cole Henry, Konnor Pilkington, Rutledge, and Lara, allowed four runs in the late innings, sealing the Cincinnati Reds’ victory.
Impact on the Series and Season
The Cincinnati Reds’ win prevented a series sweep, a significant achievement as they maintained their franchise-record streak of 33 consecutive series without being swept, surpassing the 1970 Reds’ mark of 32.
For Southern Maryland baseball fans, particularly those following the Nationals, the game highlighted the challenges of facing a pitcher like Lodolo, who has emerged as a reliable arm for the Cincinnati Reds. The Reds’ ability to avoid the sweep keeps them competitive in the NL Central, where they trail the Milwaukee Brewers and St. Louis Cardinals. The Nationals, meanwhile, continue to focus on developing young talent like Wood and House, despite their fifth-place standing.
Looking Ahead
The Cincinnati Reds now head to Tampa Bay for a three-game series against the Rays, with Nick Martinez (8-9, 4.73 ERA) slated to start. The Nationals, hosting Minnesota next, will rely on MacKenzie Gore (4-9, 3.59 ERA) to rebound from the shutout loss. The Cincinnati Reds’ victory underscores their resilience and offensive depth, with contributions from veterans like Fraley and rising stars like Marte. For Southern Maryland fans attending games at Nationals Park, the Reds’ performance serves as a reminder of the competitive nature of divisional matchups, even as the Nationals look to build for the future.
The Cincinnati Reds’ shutout win, driven by Lodolo’s brilliance and timely hitting, offers hope for a strong second half as they push for a playoff spot.
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