The Washington Nationals secured a 10-7 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Sunday, moving within one game of their National League wild-card rival in the standings. The victory was celebrated with the team’s annual Christmas in July event, featuring festive carols and a decorated tree at Nationals Park.

The offense was paced by James Wood and CJ Abrams, who each contributed two home runs. Wood’s second homer pushed him past the 30-home run mark for the second consecutive season. Abrams hit his 26th and 27th homers of the year, setting a new Washington Nationals single-season record for shortstops.

Brady House, recently recalled to the roster, made a notable impact despite a challenging travel schedule. After an overnight flight that left him short on rest, House returned to Nationals Park with two doubles, helping the team’s momentum. Dylan Crews also had a strong performance, recording three hits as he continues to gain consistency at the plate.

Starting pitcher Miles Mikolas struggled to maintain control, lasting only four innings. However, the Nationals’ bullpen managed to hold the lead through the later innings, though the game included some tense moments typical of close contests.

Wood acknowledged the importance of the win in the context of the playoff race. “They’re a really good team. We know they are in the hunt as well,” he said, referring to the Diamondbacks. The Nationals had dropped the first game of the series but bounced back decisively to keep pace in the wild-card chase.

This result marks a critical step for the Nationals as they pursue a postseason berth in a competitive division, highlighting key contributions from both seasoned players and recent call-ups.