07/08/26 08:53:00
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07/08 20:52 CDT CJ Abrams, Luis Garca Jr. both hit their 20th homers as the
Nationals rout the Astros 8-2
CJ Abrams, Luis Garca Jr. both hit their 20th homers as the Nationals rout the
Astros 8-2
By PATRICK STEVENS
Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) --- CJ Abrams and Luis Garca Jr. both hit their 20th homers of
the season, and the Washington Nationals pounded the Houston Astros 8-2 on
Wednesday night.
Foster Griffin (10-2) allowed one run in seven innings for Washington, which
took two of three from Houston to move two games over .500. Griffin's 10
victories are the most for a Nationals rookie since the club moved from
Montreal before the 2005 season.
Brice Matthews had Houston's lone RBI on a fifth-inning single.
Garca ripped a three-run shot to right-center in the fourth off Houston
starter Spencer Arrighetti (7-5). It was the first baseman's 11th home run in
18 games since June 19.
Abrams led off the fifth with a blast to right-center to extend the lead to
6-1. The Nationals then loaded the bases on two singles and a walk to chase
Arrighetti. Jos Tena followed with an RBI grounder and Keibert Ruiz added a
sacrifice fly against reliever Alimber Santa.
It was plenty of support for Griffin, who tied a career high with nine
strikeouts while allowing five hits and no walks. It was the seventh
consecutive start in which the 30-year-old allowed just one run. Griffin is 4-0
with a 1.25 ERA in that span.
The left-hander, who signed a one-year, $5.5 million deal with Washington in
December after spending the previous three seasons in Japan, had been tied with
John Lannan's 2008 total for the most victories by a Nationals rookie.
James Wood and Garca walked to open the third. Abrams' one-out sacrifice fly
scored Wood, and Daylen Lile followed with a double to knock in Garca.
Arrighetti allowed eight runs, seven hits and a career-high six walks in
four-plus innings.
Up next
Houston RHP Hunter Brown (1-0, 3.38 ERA) faces Texas as the Astros' trip
continues Friday. Washington RHP Zack Littell (7-6, 5.02) starts at home Friday
against the New York Yankees.
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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
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