The Washington Nationals traveled to Detroit and came away with a 4-2 victory over the Tigers on Wednesday, September 23, 2026. Yohandy Morales supplied the decisive blow with a two-run home run, while a Washington bullpen that pieced together nine innings of work — led by Will Dion's winning effort — kept Detroit's offense in check. Brady House added a two-hit game at the top of the order, and Yovanny Cruz closed it out for the save. The win gives Washington a clean result on the road in a late-season September contest.

Morales Home Run Proves to Be the Difference

Morales went 1-for-4 on the night, but that one hit was the one that mattered most. His two-run blast accounted for the margin of victory, giving Washington a cushion it would not relinquish. The Nationals finished with four runs total, and Morales was responsible for half of them. House complemented him at the plate, going 2-for-4 and reaching base to keep Washington's offense moving.

Washington Bullpen Carries the Load

There was no traditional starter in this one for Washington. Richard Lovelady opened the game, working 1.1 innings and allowing one hit while issuing one walk. Brad Lord followed with a sharp 3.1-inning stretch — three strikeouts, one hit, two walks, and zero earned runs — effectively bridging the middle innings and keeping the game within reach.

Will Dion earned the win after pitching two innings, striking out four and allowing one earned run on three hits. He did enough to keep the Nationals ahead when it counted. Jack Sinclair tossed 0.1 innings cleanly, and Erik Tolman worked 0.2 frames. Yovanny Cruz finished the game with a 1.1-inning save, surrendering one earned run on three hits while striking out two — a bumpy but ultimately successful close in Detroit.

Detroit's Offense Gets Lift from Malgeri, but Falls Short

The Tigers were not without their bright spots. Ben Malgeri went 2-for-5 with a solo home run and two RBI, providing Detroit's only real punch. Kevin McGonigle was the Tigers' most active bat, going 3-for-5, but was unable to drive in any runs. Detroit's inability to convert McGonigle's production into runs proved costly over the course of the evening.

Framber Valdez took the loss for Detroit, lasting 5.1 innings. He struck out six and held Washington to four hits, but allowed three walks and two earned runs — including the Morales shot. Tyler Kinley and Jacob Waguespack both struggled in relief, combining for three more earned runs over 2.2 innings, which effectively ended Detroit's hopes of a comeback.

Key Performances at a Glance

  • Yohandy Morales (WSH): 1-for-4, 1 HR, 2 RBI
  • Brady House (WSH): 2-for-4
  • Will Dion (WSH): 2.0 IP, 4 K, 1 ER — winning pitcher
  • Yovanny Cruz (WSH): 1.1 IP, 2 K, 1 ER — save
  • Brad Lord (WSH): 3.1 IP, 3 K, 0 ER
  • Ben Malgeri (DET): 2-for-5, 1 HR, 2 RBI
  • Kevin McGonigle (DET): 3-for-5, 0 RBI
  • Framber Valdez (DET): 5.1 IP, 6 K, 2 ER — losing pitcher

What's Next for Washington

The Nationals will continue their road schedule as the 2026 regular season winds down. Wednesday's performance showed Washington is capable of winning with a committee pitching approach and timely hitting — two elements that will need to remain consistent as the club finishes out September.