James Wood launched two home runs, including a game-tying two-run shot in the fifth inning, as Washington beat Arizona 10-7 on Sunday. CJ Abrams also homered twice, and the pair drove in six runs while helping the Nationals take two of three games in the series. The result moved Washington to 54-52, one game behind Arizona for the final National League wild-card position.
What People Are Searching For
The main question is whether Wood’s two-homer game was simply a standout performance or part of a larger surge. The confirmed numbers point to sustained production: he reached 30 home runs for the season, leads Washington in that category and has now posted consecutive 30-homer seasons.
Fans are also searching for how the result affected the playoff race. According to the Associated Press game report, Washington moved within one game of Arizona in a crowded race for the last National League wild-card spot. That makes Wood’s power display more consequential than an isolated statistical milestone.
What Is Confirmed
Washington entered the bottom of the fifth inning trailing 4-2. After Nasim Nuñez drew a leadoff walk, Wood hit his 29th homer of the season to centre field, tying the game and forcing Arizona starter Kohl Drake from the mound. Three batters later, Abrams hit a two-run homer off Jonathan Loáisiga to put the Nationals ahead for good.
Wood added an opposite-field solo homer in the eighth inning for No. 30. He finished 2-for-4 with three RBIs and a walk. The MLB.com account says he joined Adam Dunn as the only Washington players to record back-to-back 30-homer seasons since the franchise moved to the city in 2005.
Abrams finished with three hits, two homers and three RBIs. His 27th homer set a Nationals season record for a shortstop, surpassing Ian Desmond’s total of 25 in 2012. Washington collected 15 hits, while Dylan Crews and Abrams had three apiece.
It’s fun to watch. It feels like every night he’s going to do something special.
What Is Unconfirmed
The supplied reports mention trade rumours involving Abrams ahead of the August 3 deadline, but none reports a completed deal, a formal offer or a decision by Washington to move him. The only confirmed transaction in the material is the Nationals’ trade of Curtis Mead to Boston for left-handed pitcher Connelly Early.
There is also no confirmed projection that Wood or Abrams will reach 40 homers. NBC Sports raised that possibility based on their current totals, but it remains a forecast rather than an achieved milestone. The verified figure for Wood after Sunday’s game is 30.
The Bigger Picture
Wood’s performance fits a strong July rather than appearing out of nowhere. RotoWire’s performance summary says he is batting .311 this month with nine home runs, four doubles, one triple, 20 RBIs and 18 walks over 74 at-bats. Across 498 plate appearances, he has a .271 batting average, a .396 on-base percentage and a .557 slugging percentage, along with 72 RBIs, 15 stolen bases and an MLB-high 96 runs scored.
Washington’s series win also reflected Abrams’ full-week surge. In Saturday’s 5-3 victory over Arizona, he collected three hits, drove in three runs and hit his 25th homer. He then added two more on Sunday, giving him seven homers in seven games.
That combination matters because Wood is contributing beyond home-run power. He is reaching base, scoring frequently and adding speed, while Washington’s lineup is producing enough offence to keep the club in the wild-card race. For Canadian baseball followers, the immediate connection is Monday’s scheduled game against Toronto, with left-hander Andrew Alvarez listed to start for Washington.
Latest Status
Washington won the series 2-1 and closed Sunday one game behind Arizona for the final National League wild-card berth. Riley Cornelio earned the win after allowing one run in two innings, and Clayton Beeter recorded his 10th save despite two inherited runners scoring in the ninth.
The next verified step is Washington’s Monday matchup with Toronto. Any change in the wild-card standings will depend on the results that follow, while Wood enters that game with 30 homers after his first multi-homer performance of the 2026 season.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many home runs did James Wood hit against Arizona?
Wood hit two home runs in Washington’s 10-7 win. His fifth-inning two-run shot tied the game, and his eighth-inning solo homer raised his season total to 30.
How many RBIs did James Wood have in the game?
He drove in three runs. Two came on the game-tying homer in the fifth, and one came on his solo homer in the eighth.
Did CJ Abrams also hit two home runs?
Yes. Abrams homered twice, finished with three RBIs and set a Nationals single-season record for home runs by a shortstop with 27.
What was the final score of Nationals versus Diamondbacks?
Washington defeated Arizona 10-7. The Nationals produced 15 hits and won two of the three games in the weekend series.
Where are the Nationals in the wild-card race?
After Sunday’s win, Washington was 54-52 and one game behind Arizona for the final National League wild-card spot. Arizona was 55-51.
Who do the Nationals play next?
The supplied game report lists Toronto as Washington’s next opponent on Monday. Left-hander Andrew Alvarez was scheduled to start for the Nationals.