Yohandy Morales made a memorable major league debut Tuesday as the Washington Nationals defeated the Atlanta Braves 9-5 in Washington. Morales, a 24-year-old infielder serving as the designated hitter, went 3-for-5 with a single, double, and home run, contributing significantly to the Nationals’ offense. Jared Simpson, a 26-year-old left-handed pitcher also making his big-league debut, threw three scoreless innings without allowing a hit or walk while striking out three, earning the win in relief. CJ Abrams, returning to the lineup after missing the previous game due to back soreness, added two hits and two RBIs. Brady House drove in three runs to help Washington secure their fifth win in six games.

For Atlanta, Ozzie Albies and Michael Harris II each homered, but the Braves suffered their second consecutive defeat after a seven-game winning streak. Starter AJ Smith-Shawver was charged with five runs on six hits over four innings.

In other MLB action Tuesday, the Cleveland Guardians beat the Toronto Blue Jays 6-1 at home, bolstered by Gavin Williams’ career-best 13 strikeouts over seven innings. Williams (13-7) allowed one unearned run on two hits as Cleveland extended its lead over Toronto to 2½ games in the race for the third American League wild card spot. Cleveland’s offense was powered by three two-run homers from Patrick Bailey, Angel Genao, and Angel Martinez. Toronto, which had won four of its previous five games, managed just three hits. Reliever Spencer Arrighetti allowed two runs in 3⅔ innings.

The Texas Rangers maintained momentum with an 8-5 victory over the Oakland Athletics in Arlington. Brandon Nimmo led the Rangers with four hits and five RBIs, while Corey Seager doubled twice and scored three runs. Starter MacKenzie Gore (8-10) gave up one run on five hits in 5⅓ innings, and Jacob Latz secured his 28th save. Oakland’s Jeff McNeil homered and doubled but the Athletics dropped their fifth straight game.

The New York Yankees won 7-3 over the Los Angeles Angels in Anaheim, with Spencer Jones and Jazz Chisholm Jr. hitting back-to-back homers during a three-run first inning. Cody Bellinger added a 3-for-5 performance with two runs scored. Starter Gerrit Cole (8-7) allowed three runs on eight hits in 5⅓ innings. The Angels lost their eighth game in nine after Christian Moore followed with a two-run triple.

At Los Angeles, the St. Louis Cardinals defeated the Dodgers 13-8, with Thomas Saggese hitting two home runs as the Cardinals matched their season high with five homers. Jordan Walker, Ramon Urias, Joshua Baez, and debuting Leo Bernal also contributed home runs and key hits. Dodgers starter Michael McGreevy (6-9) yielded four runs in five innings. Mookie Betts had two doubles and four RBIs in a losing effort.

Colorado ended a franchise-record 10-game home losing streak by defeating Baltimore 4-2 in Denver. TJ Rumfield’s seventh-inning homer proved decisive, supported by Adael Amador’s home run and two-hit games from Jake McCarthy and Brett Sullivan. Orioles’ Jackson Holliday hit a home run but Baltimore’s four-game winning streak ended.

The Philadelphia Phillies extended their winning streak to six with a 7-1 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks in Phoenix. Bryce Harper collected four singles and an RBI, while Jesús Luzardo improved to 13-5, allowing one run on six hits over 6⅔ innings. Luzardo remains undefeated on the road this season with a 9-0 record. Arizona’s offense was limited, scoring two or fewer runs in six of their last nine games.

In Cincinnati, the Reds edged the San Diego Padres 4-3, with Jose Trevino delivering the go-ahead bases-loaded single in the eighth inning. Rookie Juan Brito added an insurance sacrifice fly. Padres’ Fernando Tatis Jr. homered twice despite the loss.

Freddy Peralta, pitching against his former team, held the New York Mets to two runs over six innings as the Tampa Bay Rays won 6-2 in St. Petersburg. Yandy Diaz contributed a home run during a three-run sixth inning. Mets’ Francisco Lindor homered and drove in both runs for New York.

Seattle defeated Boston 9-6 in a matchup highlighted by Lazaro Montes’ home run in his major league debut. The Mariners scored in each of the first five innings and had 14 hits overall. Randy Arozarena and Dominic Canzone also homered. Boston’s debuting starter Jedixson Paez allowed eight runs on 10 hits in 3⅔ innings, while Mickey Gasper hit his seventh homer in his past 13 games for the Red Sox.