Guardians Split Doubleheader with Nationals in Washington

Washington, District of Columbia — The Cleveland Guardians and the Washington Nationals faced off in a doubleheader on May 6, 2025, resulting in a split. The first game saw the Nationals rally for a 10-9 win, while the Guardians rebounded in Game 2, securing a dominant 9-1 victory.

Game 1 began with Cleveland’s Luis Ortiz (2-3, 4.78 ERA) on the mound against Washington’s Jake Irvin (2-1, 4.01). Ortiz pitched well but ended up with a no-decision as the Guardians fell short in a high-scoring contest. The Nationals strung together three consecutive two-out hits in the seventh inning, scoring four runs to take control.

Nolan Jones helped the Guardians take an early lead with a solo home run. Other key performances included Riley Adams hitting a solo shot for the Nationals and Gabriel Arias’ late-game rally that momentarily put Cleveland ahead.

In contrast, Game 2 was a pitching showcase for Cleveland. Ben Lively (2-2, 3.46) threw an impressive game, allowing only four hits and striking out several Nationals batters. The Guardians built a lead early, highlighted by Carlos Santana’s two-run home run in the sixth inning, which contributed to the team’s 9-1 win.

“We needed that from Luis to have a chance to win this game,” said Guardians manager Stephen Vogt about Ortiz’s performance. “Just the efficiency, getting into the seventh that way and as many outs as you can.”

In the nightcap, the Guardians scored early and often, with contributions from players like Daniel Schneemann and Austin Hedges, solidifying their lead. The victory came just in time, as the teams prepared for a series finale the following day at 12:05 p.m.

“It was a good response from the team after the first game,” Vogt added. “We’ll take that momentum into tomorrow.”