PHOENIX — On a night where the desert heat was matched only by the Washington Nationals' bats, Luis García Jr. etched his name into the franchise record books. The 26-year-old infielder delivered a masterclass in power hitting, launching two home runs—including his first career grand slam—to lead Washington to a dominant 14-1 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday night at Chase Field.
The victory was a statement win for the Nationals, who improved to 32-32 on the season. By reaching the .500 mark, Washington finds itself firmly back in the mix in the National League East, proving that their young core is capable of explosive offensive outputs when the pieces click into place.
Luis García Jr. Grand Slam Caps a Career Performance
The headline of the night was undoubtedly the performance of Luis García Jr., who has been a steady presence in the Nationals' lineup but reached a new gear on Friday. His night began early, providing the spark Washington needed in the very first inning. After James Wood drew a walk to open the game, García promptly deposited a Merrill Kelly offering into the Nationals' bullpen down the right-field line for a two-run shot.
However, the definitive moment of the contest arrived in the sixth inning. With the bases loaded and the Nationals already holding a comfortable lead, Arizona manager Torey Lovullo turned to left-handed reliever Philip Abner. Despite García’s historical struggles against lefties, the Nationals’ second baseman stayed in the game and punished a center-cut pitch for a towering grand slam to center field. The blast, his seventh home run of the season, extended the lead to 11-1 and effectively ended any hope of a Diamondbacks comeback.
A Balanced Offensive Onslaught in Phoenix
While García took home the game ball, he was far from the only National to find success at the plate. Washington’s lineup pounded out 16 hits and five home runs in total, showcasing a depth that overwhelmed the Arizona pitching staff. Key offensive contributors included:
- James Wood: Hit his 17th home run of the season, a solo blast in the third inning that set the tone for a four-run frame.
- C.J. Abrams: Added a solo shot in the sixth inning, his 13th of the year, following closely after García’s grand slam.
- Daylen Lile: Contributed a solo home run in the fifth inning and an RBI single earlier in the game.
- Jorbit Vivas: Drove in three runs, including a two-run double in the third and an RBI single in the ninth.
The relentless pressure from the top to the bottom of the order forced Arizona to use position player Adrian Del Castillo to pitch the final two innings. Del Castillo managed to record the final six outs but not before hitting Dylan Crews with a pitch with the bases loaded to force in another run.
Foster Griffin Dominates on the Mound
Lost in the shadow of the 14-run explosion was a stellar starting performance by Foster Griffin. The left-hander moved to 7-2 on the season after tossing five innings of two-hit ball. Griffin’s command was sharp throughout the night, keeping the Diamondbacks' hitters off-balance and preventing them from gaining any offensive rhythm.
The only blemish on Griffin’s line came in the third inning when Arizona backup catcher Aramis Garcia connected for a solo home run to left-center field. Aside from that one mistake, Griffin was untouchable, allowing the Nationals' offense to take its time building the massive lead. The bullpen followed suit, with three relievers combining to shut down Arizona over the final four frames, allowing only four hits and no runs.
Tough Night for Merrill Kelly and the Diamondbacks
For the Diamondbacks, the loss was a sobering reminder of the volatility of the 162-game season. Veteran starter Merrill Kelly (5-4) struggled from the jump, lasting just five innings and surrendered seven runs on six hits. It was a rare off-night for Kelly, who has been a pillar of the Arizona rotation, but he simply could not find an answer for the Nationals' aggressive approach.
The game also marked the MLB debut of Arizona prospect LuJames Groover. While highly anticipated, Groover finished the night 0-for-4 while batting fifth and playing first base. The Diamondbacks, now 33-31, will look to regroup quickly as they remain in the thick of the NL Wild Card race despite the lopsided scoreline.
The Nationals and Diamondbacks will continue their three-game series tomorrow, with Washington looking to secure a series win and push their record back above the .500 mark for the first time in weeks.
Sources & Original Reporting
