Jun 13, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Nationals proper fielder James Wooden (29) reacts within the dugout after scoring a run in opposition to the Seattle Mariners throughout the fifth inning at Nationals Park. Obligatory Credit score: Rafael Suanes-Imagn Photos James Wooden appears to proceed his sizzling streak when the Washington Nationals open a three-game sequence in opposition to the visiting Kansas Metropolis Royals on Monday.
Wooden completed a triple in need of the cycle, drove in two runs and scored twice because the Nationals beat the visiting Seattle Mariners 10-1 on Sunday within the rubber recreation of that sequence.
Kansas Metropolis, in the meantime, snapped a four-game shedding skid with a 4-0 house win in opposition to the Houston Astros.
The 23-year-old Wooden is 11-for-25 (.440) throughout a six-game hitting streak with three house runs, six RBIs and three stolen bases. He hit his fifth leadoff homer of the season on Sunday and his twentieth general.
“Noticed a few fastballs early and was in a position to lay off a curveball with two strikes,” Wooden stated. “Was in a position to get a slider up and put a barrel on it.”
Wooden is the one participant within the majors with 20 homers and 10 stolen bases. He’s tied for fourth in house runs (20), and sits fourth in walks (58), fourth in on-base share (.414) and fifth in OPS (.972).
Attempting to chill off Wooden on Monday will likely be Royals right-hander Mitch Spence (0-0, 13.50 ERA), who is anticipated to be recalled from Triple-A Omaha and be opposed by left-hander Andrew Alvarez (1-0, 3.70).
Spence, 28, made his solely 2026 look on April 18 when he gave up six runs in 4 innings in opposition to the New York Yankees. He picked up a reduction win regardless of permitting two runs in 1 2/3 innings in his solely look in opposition to the Nationals in April 2024.
After 5 reduction appearances, Alvarez’s final two outings have been begins. In San Francisco final Tuesday, he gave up two runs on 5 hits and 5 walks in 4 innings, receiving a no-decision in a 6-3 win over the Giants.
Alvarez, who turned 27 on Saturday, has by no means confronted the Royals.
Wooden was not the one Nationals participant to do harm on Sunday. Keibert Ruiz had three hits together with a house run, Jacob Younger hit two doubles, and the group collected 14 hits.
“Our lineup one via 9 at the moment, I believed, did a very good job of contributing,” supervisor Blake Butera stated. “Simply stored passing the bat again to the following man. The bottom operating was actually good. We put a ton of strain on them defensively. It was numerous enjoyable to be part of.”
Enjoying on his twenty sixth birthday, Royals All-Star shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. had two hits, stole two bases, scored a run and made a diving catch as Kansas Metropolis ended a 2-4 homestand on a constructive observe.
Maikel Garcia had three RBIs and starter Stephen Kolek pitched 7 1/3 innings.
“We have misplaced these video games just lately and that is been actually irritating, however these guys are competing their butts off,” supervisor Matt Quatraro stated. “Each considered one of these video games on this homestand was a troublesome recreation by some means.
The information off the sector was unhealthy as first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino had surgical procedure to restore the hamate bone in his proper hand and will likely be out 4 to 6 weeks.
“I simply advised (Pasquantino) I used to be pissed off for him, particularly as a result of he is bought himself going,” Quatraro stated. “It stinks as a result of I understand how exhausting he is labored to get again and be productive. He is gone via accidents earlier than and it may be an actual grind.”
–Subject Stage Media
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