Nationals Edge Dodgers in Thrilling 6-4 Victory amid Ohtani’s Heroics

PHOENIX, AZ – The Washington Nationals delivered a thrilling performance on April 7, 2025, defeating the Los Angeles Dodgers 6-4 to extend their winning streak to three games. The victory featured a combination of strong pitching, timely hitting, and key defensive plays against the defending World Series champions.

Nationals pitcher MacKenzie Gore was instrumental in the win, pitching six strong innings while striking out seven and allowing just two runs. “I thought we pitched really well tonight,” he said. “Other than the three pitches right down the middle to Shohei [Ohtani].” Ohtani, the Dodgers’ star, showcased his talent by hitting a single, a triple, and a two-run homer.

Shortly after, Nationals closer Kyle Finnegan expressed the significance of the game, stating, “That felt like a playoff game. To play against a team like the Dodgers… it says a lot about our team and our grit. We can play with anybody in the league.” Finnegan secured the save with five outs, facing Ohtani in a tense ninth inning.

In a game that kept fans on the edge of their seats, the Nationals built an early lead with three runs in the first three innings, capitalizing on defensive miscues by the Dodgers. Although they had eleven at-bats with runners in scoring position in the opening frame, the team managed only one official hit as Nathaniel Lowe contributed an RBI single.

The victory was bolstered by contributions from Thomas Nito and James Wood, who came through with timely hits. Wood’s leadoff spot change proved effective as he reached base three times and stole a base. “The bullpen’s been working hard; they’ve been doing a good job,” Wood noted, acknowledging the need for offensive support.

Despite the loss for the Dodgers, Ohtani’s performance stood out as he led the offense, yet it wasn’t enough to stave off the Nationals’ superior team effort. Gore noted the importance of the defense, saying, “We made plays. Great at-bats. And we just kind of got through every inning and made enough pitches. It was a great win.”

With this hard-fought win, the Nationals demonstrate their resilience against one of the toughest lineups in Major League Baseball, setting the tone for the remainder of the season as they prepare for rookie Brad Lord’s first career start on Tuesday.