Carlos Santana kick-started an eight-run sixth inning with a bases-clearing double, and the Cleveland Guardians beat the Nationals 8-6 on Wednesday to win two of three at Washington in a 24-hour span.
Guardians Nationals Baseball Washington Nationals starting pitcher Michael Soroka throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians, Wednesday, May 7, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
AP Photo/Nick Wass
Guardians Nationals Baseball Cleveland Guardians' Jose Ramirez swings the bat on deck during the first inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Wednesday, May 7, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
AP Photo/Nick Wass
Guardians Nationals Baseball Washington Nationals' James Wood singles during the first inning of a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians, Wednesday, May 7, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
AP Photo/Nick Wass
Guardians Nationals Baseball Washington Nationals relief pitcher Jorge Lopez, right, is pulled from the game by manager Dave Martinez, left, during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians, Wednesday, May 7, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
AP Photo/Nick Wass
APTOPIX Guardians Nationals Baseball Cleveland Guardians right fielder Nolan Jones can't field a fly ball hit by Washington Nationals' Alex Call for a double during the second inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, May 7, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
AP Photo/Nick Wass
Guardians Nationals Baseball Washington Nationals' Luis Garcia Jr., front, slides home to score on a single by CJ Abrams during the seventh inning of a baseball game against Cleveland Guardians catcher Bo Naylor, back, Wednesday, May 7, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
AP Photo/Nick Wass
Guardians Nationals Baseball Cleveland Guardians' Nolan Jones (22) falls to ground after he was tagged out by Washington Nationals relief pitcher Andrew Chafin, left, during the sixth inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, May 7, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
AP Photo/Nick Wass
Guardians Nationals Baseball Washington Nationals' CJ Abrams, right, steals second base against Cleveland Guardians second baseman Gabriel Arias, left, during the ninth inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, May 7, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
WASHINGTON (AP) — Carlos Santana kick-started an eight-run sixth inning with a bases-clearing double, and the Cleveland Guardians beat the Nationals 8-6 on Wednesday to win two of three at Washington in a 24-hour span.
The Guardians sent 13 men to the plate in the sixth against Michael Soroka (0-2) and relievers Jorge Lopez and Andrew Chafin. The first seven reached, and all of them scored. Leadoff man Steven Kwan scored twice in Cleveland’s biggest inning of the season.
Before the sixth, the Guardians had just two hits and eight strikeouts against Soroka, who made his second start for the Nationals after straining his right biceps in his March 31 debut.
But Cleveland rediscovered the relentless offense that produced nine runs in each game while splitting a doubleheader a day earlier. After a rainout Monday, the first game of Tuesday’s twinbill began at 3:35 p.m. and Wednesday’s regularly scheduled matinee concluded at 3:03 p.m.
Gabriel Arias had four hits for Cleveland, which has won seven of nine. Joey Cantillo (1-0) worked a scoreless fifth, and Emmanuel Clase pitched the ninth for his eighth save.
Washington left 15 runners on base.
Key moment
Guardians reliever Cade Smith, who gave up four runs in two-thirds of an inning in Tuesday’s first game, entered in the seventh with a four-run advantage. He allowed Amed Rosario’s two-run single, then loaded the bases before retiring Alex Call on a flyball to right to preserve an 8-6 lead.
Key stat
Soroka’s last scoreless outing of five innings or more was on July 24, 2020, his debut in that COVID-19-shortened season.
Up next
Guardians: Begin a three-game series against visiting Philadelphia on Friday night with Gavin Williams (2-2, 5.06 ERA) on the mound.
Nationals: Host St. Louis for a three-game series starting Friday night. Mitchell Parker (3-2, 3.48) is scheduled to start against the Cardinals’ Erick Fedde (2-3, 4.78).
