James Wood hit a grand slam in the fifth inning and the Washington Nationals overcame a five-run deficit and held off the Houston Astros 12-11 in the opener of a three-game series Monday night.
Astros Nationals Baseball Washington Nationals catcher Drew Millas, left, congratulates relief pitcher Clayton Beeter, right, for pitching the final out of a baseball game against the Houston Astros, Monday, July 6, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/John McDonnell)
AP Photo/John McDonnell
Astros Nationals Baseball Houston Astros' Jose Altuve runs the bases after hiting a three-run home run during the second inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Monday, July 6, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/John McDonnell)
AP Photo/John McDonnell
Astros Nationals Baseball Houston Astros starting pitcher Mike Burrows throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Monday, July 6, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/John McDonnell)
AP Photo/John McDonnell
Astros Nationals Baseball /Washington Nationals center fielder Jacob Young makes a sliding catch of a fly ball hit by Houston Astros' Yainer Diaz during the second inning of a baseball game, Monday, July 6, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/John McDonnell)
AP Photo/John McDonnell
Astros Nationals Baseball Washington Nationals center fielder Jacob Young misjudges an RBI double hit by Houston Astros' Christian Walker during the first inning of a baseball game, Monday, July 6, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/John McDonnell)
AP Photo/John McDonnell
Astros Nationals Baseball Washington Nationals staring pitcher Miles Mikolas throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros, Monday, July 6, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/John McDonnell)
AP Photo/John McDonnell
Astros Nationals Baseball Washington Nationals' James Wood runs the bases after hitting a grand slam during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros, Monday, July 6, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/John McDonnell)
AP Photo/John McDonnell
Astros Nationals Baseball Washington Nationals' James Wood watches his grand slam go over the center field fence during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros, Monday, July 6, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/John McDonnell)
WASHINGTON (AP) — James Wood hit a grand slam in the fifth inning and the Washington Nationals overcame a five-run deficit and held off the Houston Astros 12-11 in the opener of a three-game series Monday night.
CJ Abrams and Curtis Mead each homered and drove in three runs as part of three-hit games for Washington. Nasim Nuñez also had three hits and his major league-leading 33rd stolen base.
Jose Altuve, Yainer Diaz and Brice Matthews homered for Houston.
Mead led off the fifth with a go-ahead home run for the Nationals, who then loaded the bases to chase Astros starter Mike Burrows (4-9). Drew Millas hit a sacrifice fly off AJ Blubaugh before Nuñez’s infield single loaded the bases again. Wood then launched a 446-foot blast to center for his second grand slam of the season.
Houston scored four runs in the eighth off reliever Cole Henry to pull within 12-11, a rally capped by Matthews’ three-run shot to left.
Washington starter Miles Mikolas (3-7) gave up seven runs and struck out three in six innings. Clayton Beeter recorded the last four outs for his seventh save.
The Nationals quickly tied it when their first five batters in the third scored. Luis García Jr.’s double and Mead’s single drove in runs, and both scored on Abrams’ homer to right.
Burrows surrendered 10 runs — seven earned — in 4 1/3 innings. It was the most runs allowed by an Astros pitcher since J.P. France gave up 10 to Boston on Aug. 24, 2023.
