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Nationals Dispatch Diamondbacks 6-1 in Phoenix, Mead and Crews Deliver Homers
The Washington Nationals routed the Arizona Diamondbacks 6‑1 Saturday night at Chase Field, with Curtis Mead launching a two‑run homer in the first inning and Dylan Crews adding a deep shot to cap a one‑hitter that left the D‑backs with only two hits.
The victory, the sixth of the 2026 season for Washington, came in a game that highlighted the Nationals’ offensive depth and the Diamondbacks’ offensive struggles. The Nationals’ pitching staff allowed just two hits and one earned run, while the D‑backs managed a single run on a single hit. The win moved the Nationals to a 31‑28 record, keeping them in the upper tier of the National League East.
Curtis Mead, the Australian infielder who joined the Nationals in 2023 after stints with the Tampa Bay Rays and Chicago White Sox, opened the game with a two‑run home run that gave Washington a 2‑0 lead. Mead’s power display was a reminder of his early promise in the minors and his continued role as a key contributor in the Nationals’ lineup. Dylan Crews, the 24‑year‑old outfielder drafted second overall by Washington in 2023, followed Mead’s lead with a deep shot that extended the lead to 4‑0. Crews, who made his MLB debut in 2024, has been viewed as a cornerstone of the Nationals’ future.
On the mound, Washington’s starter, who had been in the rotation since the start of the season, limited the D‑backs to a single run on a single hit. The Nationals’ bullpen closed out the game with two scoreless innings, preserving the 6‑1 margin. The pitching performance was a contrast to the Diamondbacks’ outing, where their starter yielded two hits but also surrendered a run on a wild pitch.
The Nationals’ 2026 season is their 22nd as a franchise in Washington, D.C., and their 19th at Nationals Park. The team has a history of playoff appearances, including a World Series title in 2019, but the 2026 campaign has been a rebuilding effort focused on young talent such as Mead and Crews. The Diamondbacks, in their 29th season and 29th at Chase Field, have a storied past that includes a 2001 World Series win, but the 2026 season has seen them struggle to maintain offensive consistency.
The 6‑1 win is part of a series of victories that have kept the Nationals competitive in the NL East. The team’s offense has been productive, with multiple home runs and a high batting average over the first half of the season. The Diamondbacks, meanwhile, have faced challenges on offense, with a low run total and limited hits in recent games.
Looking ahead, the Nationals will face the Philadelphia Phillies on Sunday at Nationals Park, while the Diamondbacks will host the Los Angeles Dodgers on Monday. Both teams are looking to improve their standings as the regular season progresses toward the postseason cut‑off.
The Nationals’ victory over the Diamondbacks underscores the importance of power hitting and disciplined pitching in the 2026 MLB season. With Mead and Crews continuing to contribute, Washington remains a team to watch as the league moves toward the playoffs.
The victory, the sixth of the 2026 season for Washington, came in a game that highlighted the Nationals’ offensive depth and the Diamondbacks’ offensive struggles. The Nationals’ pitching staff allowed just two hits and one earned run, while the D‑backs managed a single run on a single hit. The win moved the Nationals to a 31‑28 record, keeping them in the upper tier of the National League East.
Curtis Mead, the Australian infielder who joined the Nationals in 2023 after stints with the Tampa Bay Rays and Chicago White Sox, opened the game with a two‑run home run that gave Washington a 2‑0 lead. Mead’s power display was a reminder of his early promise in the minors and his continued role as a key contributor in the Nationals’ lineup. Dylan Crews, the 24‑year‑old outfielder drafted second overall by Washington in 2023, followed Mead’s lead with a deep shot that extended the lead to 4‑0. Crews, who made his MLB debut in 2024, has been viewed as a cornerstone of the Nationals’ future.
On the mound, Washington’s starter, who had been in the rotation since the start of the season, limited the D‑backs to a single run on a single hit. The Nationals’ bullpen closed out the game with two scoreless innings, preserving the 6‑1 margin. The pitching performance was a contrast to the Diamondbacks’ outing, where their starter yielded two hits but also surrendered a run on a wild pitch.
The Nationals’ 2026 season is their 22nd as a franchise in Washington, D.C., and their 19th at Nationals Park. The team has a history of playoff appearances, including a World Series title in 2019, but the 2026 campaign has been a rebuilding effort focused on young talent such as Mead and Crews. The Diamondbacks, in their 29th season and 29th at Chase Field, have a storied past that includes a 2001 World Series win, but the 2026 season has seen them struggle to maintain offensive consistency.
The 6‑1 win is part of a series of victories that have kept the Nationals competitive in the NL East. The team’s offense has been productive, with multiple home runs and a high batting average over the first half of the season. The Diamondbacks, meanwhile, have faced challenges on offense, with a low run total and limited hits in recent games.
Looking ahead, the Nationals will face the Philadelphia Phillies on Sunday at Nationals Park, while the Diamondbacks will host the Los Angeles Dodgers on Monday. Both teams are looking to improve their standings as the regular season progresses toward the postseason cut‑off.
The Nationals’ victory over the Diamondbacks underscores the importance of power hitting and disciplined pitching in the 2026 MLB season. With Mead and Crews continuing to contribute, Washington remains a team to watch as the league moves toward the playoffs.
