The Washington Nationals were in dire need of a series victory over the Minnesota Twins on Thursday afternoon. After the first 2 games of the series were blowout victories for each team, the Nationals were able to eke out a dramatic 7-5 victory over the visiting Twins and claim the series for the home squad.
This was especially essential as the Nationals are headed down to Miami and then Cincinnati to take on the Marlins and Reds for 6 total games before returning home to face off against the Baltimore Orioles in their Beltway series.
Thursday's starters were Simeon Woods Richardson for the Twins and Minnesota native Jake Irvin going against his hometown team, but neither of them pitched particularly well. Woods Richardson allowed 5 earned in just 4.1 innings, surrendering just 5 hits while also walking a pair and striking out a pair. Irvin was marginally better, making it through 5.0 innings and managing to scatter 8 hits and 4 earned runs while striking out just 2 batters, allowing 4 earned runs.
On the hitting side, the hero of the day was Keibert Ruiz, who finished the game 3/4 with a pair of doubles and a go-ahead homer in the bottom of the 7th that gave the Nationals a lead that they wouldn't look back on. The bats remained alive as Curtis Mead drove in an insurance run in the same inning to give the Nationals a 7-5 lead that they would ultimately not surrender.
It has been a tough go of things for Ruiz so far in 2026, as the inconsistencies with the bat that we have seen from him in recent years have carried over for the most part. His second homer of the season today tied the amount he had all of last season in less than half the games, but it remains to be seen if today's barrage of extra-base hits will be the start of a new trend or just a blip on the radar.
Given that top catching prospect and offseason acquisition Harry Ford has struggled mightily with AAA pitching so far and fellow backstop Drew Millas continuing to not run away with his opportunities either, Ruiz will still be in line for a ton of playing time. Perhaps we can see Ruiz return to the guy that was once rewarded with a long-term extension, rather than the version we've seen the last couple seasons.
What did you think of the Nationals' series victory over the visiting Twins? As always, please let me know on X, @DCBerk.
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