Jun 24, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Nationals first baseman Luis Garcia Jr. (2) reacts after hitting a single towards the Philadelphia Phillies in the course of the fifth inning at Nationals Park. Necessary Credit score: Rafael Suanes-Imagn Pictures Luis Garcia Jr. appears to be like to proceed his dwelling run barrage because the Washington Nationals open a three-game dwelling collection towards the Houston Astros on Monday.
The 26-year-old Nationals first baseman has been on a tear these days with 9 homers in his final 12 video games. He is cranked 16 homers since Might 25 and is second within the Nationwide League with 64 RBIs, however the Nationals are only one recreation over .500 after shedding two of three to the visiting Pittsburgh Pirates.
Garcia set a profession excessive together with his nineteenth dwelling run, a two-run shot on Sunday in an 11-5 loss to the Pirates. Garcia credit a swing adjustment for the new streak.
“We discovered one thing particular about my swing that we now have proper now and simply attempting to place the ball up within the air,” Garcia mentioned after Friday’s 9-5 win wherein he went deep twice towards Pittsburgh. “That is most likely the success that we have seen the final couple of months.”
Washington supervisor Blake Butera did not waste any time Sunday getting rookie reliever Eddy Yean his first style of big-league motion. The suitable-hander took the roster spot of outfielder Robert Hassell III, who was designated for task on Sunday.
Yean made his main league debut when the native of the Dominican Republic entered within the third inning and posted two innings of scoreless aid, strolling one and fanning three.
“It has been actually good, the strike throwing,” Butera mentioned. “It is a good fastball, it is a sinker profile, good velocity, 96-97 mph. He is had numerous success this 12 months in Triple-A. Additionally, (he is) only a actually good particular person. I am certain you noticed the large smile. He is excited to be right here. His teammates love him, everyone within the group loves him.”
Yean, who supplied depth within the bullpen, was optioned again to Triple-A Rochester after the sport.
On Sunday, the Astros offense was held to a pair of solo dwelling runs from Christian Walker and Isaac Paredes, however starter Peter Lambert mixed with relievers Steven Okert, Bryan King and Josh Hader for a 2-0, four-hit shutout of the visiting Tampa Bay Rays.
The Astros have gained six of their final seven. Lambert mentioned he trusts the relievers to complete video games.
“They have been nails all 12 months,” Lambert mentioned.
4-time All-Star Yordan Alvarez leads the majors in RBIs (67), on-base proportion (.429), slugging proportion (.637), OPS (1.065) and complete bases (207) and likewise tops the American League in hits (104) and residential runs (29). He is the Astros’ high hitter with a .320 batting common.
Alvarez, 29, was voted in because the designated hitter for the American League within the July 14 All-Star Recreation.
“You may make an argument that, for my part, he is the most effective hitter within the main leagues,” Astros supervisor Joe Espada mentioned. “However I believe we also needs to acknowledge who he’s as a person. I believe that makes it extra particular for me to come back right here day by day and watch him play.”
Mike Burrows (4-8, 5.58 ERA) is scheduled to begin for Houston. He closed June by accumulating his first victory of the month in a 6-4 dwelling win towards the Minnesota Twins on Tuesday. He allowed 4 runs on six hits with two walks and three strikeouts over 5 innings.
The suitable-hander has one profession begin towards the Nationals. He did not issue into the choice and yielded three runs on 5 hits, strolling one and fanning six over 4 1/3 innings in September 2025 whereas with the Pirates.
After one bullpen look on June 19, Burrows returned to the rotation and posted begins of six and 5 innings.
Washington is ready to counter with right-hander Miles Mikolas (2-7, 5.44). In his final outing, Mikolas yielded six runs on 9 hits with no walks and three strikeouts in seven innings in a 6-3 highway loss to the Boston Purple Sox on Monday.
It was his first begin since Might 12. He is pitching whereas interesting a five-game suspension issued after Tuesday’s bench-clearing incident towards the Purple Sox.
Mikolas has 4 profession begins towards the Astros and is 1-1 with a 7.65 ERA. He has walked six and fanned 16 in 20 innings.
–Discipline Degree Media
