The cincinnati reds vs washington nationals match player stats tell the story of a dominant pitching performance that saved Cincinnati’s season. The Reds shut out the Nationals 5-0 on July 23, 2025, at Nationals Park, led by Nick Lodolo’s complete game masterpiece. Lodolo struck out 8 batters while allowing just 4 hits in 9 innings, with Jake Fraley (2 hits, 1 RBI) and Santiago Espinal (2 hits) providing the offensive spark needed to avoid a sweep.
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Nick Lodolo Pitching Performance Statistics
Nick Lodolo delivered a career defining performance on the mound that Wednesday afternoon in Washington. His complete game shutout marked the first of his MLB career and only the second complete game thrown by a Reds starter in 2025.
Lodolo’s Complete Game Breakdown
| Stat Category | Performance |
|---|---|
| Innings Pitched | 9.0 |
| Hits Allowed | 4 |
| Runs Allowed | 0 |
| Earned Runs | 0 |
| Walks | 0 |
| Strikeouts | 8 |
| Pitches Thrown | 105 |
| Strikes | 76 |
| Ground Balls | 12 |
| Fly Balls | 6 |
| Batters Faced | 30 |
The 27-year-old left-hander improved his season record to 8-6 with a 3.08 ERA. Over his last seven starts leading into this game, Lodolo posted a remarkable 4-1 record with a 1.85 ERA, allowing just 9 earned runs across 43.2 innings pitched.
His curveball proved devastating against Washington hitters. Lodolo struck out five of eight batters with the breaking pitch, keeping the Nationals off balance throughout the contest. The lefty’s dominance peaked in the eighth inning when Luis Garcia Jr. doubled with one out, but Lodolo struck out pinch-hitter Riley Adams and induced a ground ball from Jacob Young to escape the threat.
Manager Terry Francona praised the effort afterward. “I thought we needed a win,” Francona said. “That wasn’t a 5-0 game. That was 1-0.” His comments reflected how tight the game remained until the Reds added insurance runs in the final two frames.
Lodolo’s pitch efficiency stood out. With 76 of his 105 pitches going for strikes (72.4%), he attacked the strike zone aggressively and never issued a walk. This marked the first complete game shutout by a Reds pitcher without a walk since 2014, breaking an 11-year drought.
Lodolo Season Stats Through July 23
| Metric | Total |
|---|---|
| Wins | 8 |
| Losses | 6 |
| ERA | 3.08 |
| Starts | 21 |
| Innings Pitched | 124.1 |
| Strikeouts | 112 |
| WHIP | 1.03 |
| K/9 Rate | 8.2 |
The performance extended Lodolo’s streak of scoring 28+ FanDuel points to seven consecutive games, showcasing his consistent excellence during this stretch run.
Cincinnati Reds Offensive Statistics
The Reds offense didn’t explode, but they manufactured runs when it mattered most. Cincinnati collected 8 hits while leaving 8 runners on base, going 3-for-10 with runners in scoring position.
Team Batting Performance
| Category | Result |
|---|---|
| Total Runs | 5 |
| Total Hits | 8 |
| Home Runs | 0 |
| Doubles | 1 (Marte) |
| Walks | 3 |
| Strikeouts | 7 |
| LOB | 8 |
| RISP | 3-10 |
The Reds hadn’t hit a home run in five straight games entering this contest, and that drought continued. However, they proved you don’t need the long ball when your pitcher is throwing a shutout.
Individual Player Statistics
Jake Fraley delivered the game’s most critical hit, an RBI single in the fourth inning that gave Cincinnati a 1-0 lead. The left-handed hitting outfielder finished 2-for-4 with 1 RBI and 1 run scored.
| Player | AB | R | H | RBI | BB | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jake Fraley | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Santiago Espinal | 4 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Noelvi Marte | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Matt McLain | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Elly De La Cruz | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Jose Trevino | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Austin Hays | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Gavin Lux | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Elly De La Cruz set the table in the fourth inning, drawing a leadoff walk and stealing second base (his 27th steal of the season) before Fraley drove him in. De La Cruz added an RBI in the ninth on a ground ball double play that made it 5-0.
Noelvi Marte came through in the eighth with an RBI double to left field, scoring Austin Hays to push the lead to 3-0. Marte entered the game with 26 RBI on the season and had been swinging a hot bat since the All-Star break.
Santiago Espinal went 2-for-4 while batting ninth, reaching base three times including a walk. The versatile infielder made his first career start at first base, filling in for Spencer Steer who took a scheduled day off.
Matt McLain contributed with a bunt single in the ninth inning that led to a throwing error, allowing Santiago Espinal to score and extend the lead to 4-0.
Jose Trevino drove in Fraley with a sacrifice fly in the eighth, his 15th RBI of the season.
Key Offensive Moments
The fourth inning breakthrough came when De La Cruz displayed his game-changing speed. After drawing a walk from Michael Soroka, he immediately stole second base, putting himself in scoring position with nobody out. Fraley capitalized with a sharp single to center field, giving Cincinnati a lead they’d never relinquish.
The eighth inning provided crucial insurance. With one out, Austin Hays singled to center. Fraley followed with another single to right center, advancing Hays to third. Marte then doubled to left field, scoring Hays. Trevino’s sacrifice fly brought home Fraley, making it 3-0 and giving Lodolo breathing room.
In the ninth, the Reds tacked on two more runs. McLain’s bunt single led to chaos when the throw sailed into the outfield, allowing Espinal to race home from second base. De La Cruz then grounded into a double play but drove in McLain with the contact, capping the scoring at 5-0.
Washington Nationals Performance Analysis
The Nationals managed just four hits against Lodolo’s overpowering stuff. Washington had won five straight home games against Cincinnati before this defeat, but their offense couldn’t solve the lefty’s mix of pitches.
Nationals Team Statistics
| Category | Result |
|---|---|
| Runs Scored | 0 |
| Hits | 4 |
| Home Runs | 0 |
| Doubles | 1 (Garcia) |
| Walks | 0 |
| Strikeouts | 8 |
| LOB | 4 |
| RISP | 0-1 |
Washington Batting Lines
The Nationals struggled to generate any offensive momentum. Luis Garcia Jr. recorded one of only four hits with an eighth-inning double, but Lodolo shut down the rally before any damage occurred.
Jacob Young spoke about facing Lodolo after the game. “I thought he mixed speeds really well,” Young said. “I thought he had really good command of his off speed. You never know what you are looking for. He threw anything, any count, and they are all strikes. He kept it down mostly.”
Young made a spectacular defensive play earlier in the game, scaling the wall for a fantastic grab that robbed a Reds hitter of extra bases. Despite the loss, his effort in center field provided one of the game’s highlight moments.
Michael Soroka Pitching Stats
Michael Soroka took the loss for Washington, falling to 3-8 on the season. The Canadian right-hander allowed just one run through six innings before being relieved.
| Stat | Result |
|---|---|
| Innings Pitched | 6.0 |
| Hits Allowed | 5 |
| Runs Allowed | 1 |
| Earned Runs | 1 |
| Walks | 2 |
| Strikeouts | 4 |
| Pitches-Strikes | 88-50 |
| Ground Balls | 2 |
| Fly Balls | 5 |
| Batters Faced | 24 |
Soroka, a 2019 All-Star who battled back from multiple Achilles injuries, pitched competitively but couldn’t match Lodolo’s dominance. His season ERA rose to 4.87 following the defeat.
Nationals Bullpen Performance
Cole Henry pitched one inning: 11 pitches (7 strikes), 3 batters faced, 0 runs allowed
Konnor Pilkington pitched 1.1 innings: 14 pitches (9 strikes), 3 batters faced, 0 runs allowed
Jackson Rutledge struggled in 0.2 innings: 14 pitches (10 strikes), 5 batters faced, 2 runs allowed. Rutledge replaced Pilkington with one out in the eighth and immediately gave up back-to-back singles to Hays and Fraley before Marte’s double and Trevino’s sacrifice fly.
Andry Lara closed out the ninth: 14 pitches (7 strikes), 5 batters faced, 2 runs allowed
The Nationals bullpen couldn’t hold the slim deficit, allowing four runs in the final two innings to turn a tight game into a comfortable victory for Cincinnati.
Historical Context and Implications
This victory carried massive significance for the Reds organization. Cincinnati avoided being swept for the first time in 2025, setting a franchise record with 33 straight series without being swept. This broke the mark of 32 consecutive series set by the legendary 1970 Reds, who went on to win the National League pennant.
The Reds had lost the first two games of the series and desperately needed this win to stay relevant in the playoff race. At 53-50, Cincinnati remained 3.5 games behind the San Diego Padres for the final NL Wild Card spot.
The game took 2 hours and 22 minutes to complete, with 21,567 fans in attendance at Nationals Park. Weather conditions were ideal for baseball that Wednesday afternoon.
Jake Fraley reflected on Lodolo’s curveball after the game. “I never want to face that,” Fraley said. “I was surprised that they had as many lefties in there as they did today. That thing is devastating. I can’t tell you how many times over the last three years that I have seen him throw those and guys swing through them and it drills them in the back foot. That’s a special pitch.”
For comparison, check out more detailed player statistics and game analysis to track how teams perform throughout the season.
Advanced Metrics and Trends
Lodolo’s Recent Dominance
The left-hander’s stretch of excellence told a remarkable story. In his last three starts entering this game, Lodolo went 3-0 while throwing 22 combined innings with just 2 earned runs allowed. He tallied 19 strikeouts against only 1 walk during that span, showcasing elite command and stuff.
His ERA over the last seven starts (1.85) demonstrated a pitcher hitting his peak at the perfect time. With Hunter Greene sidelined by injury, Lodolo and Andrew Abbott carried the Reds’ rotation through a critical stretch of the season.
Reds Offensive Struggles
Cincinnati’s power outage became a concerning trend. The team went 3-10 with runners in scoring position and hadn’t homered in five straight games. This lack of extra-base power meant the Reds needed to manufacture runs through aggressive baserunning and timely hitting.
Elly De La Cruz’s stolen base extended his impressive season total to 27. The switch-hitting shortstop’s speed gave Cincinnati a dimension few teams could match, though his batting average had dipped since mid-July.
Nationals’ Home Streak Snapped
Washington had won five consecutive home games against the Reds before this defeat, making the victory even sweeter for Cincinnati. The Nationals entered the series finale with momentum but couldn’t generate any offensive rhythm against Lodolo.
Pitching Matchup Analysis
The tale of two left-handers dominated this contest. Lodolo’s arsenal featured a fastball that touched 94 mph, a devastating curveball that generated five strikeouts, and excellent command of his off-speed pitches. His ability to throw any pitch in any count kept Washington hitters guessing all afternoon.
Soroka relied heavily on his sinker and four-seam fastball, sitting around 90 mph with excellent movement. While he pitched well enough to win most games, allowing just one run through six innings, he couldn’t match Lodolo’s shutout performance.
The Nationals put pressure on Lodolo only twice. In the third inning, they threatened after a walk and a hit by pitch loaded the bases with two outs, but Lodolo escaped. In the eighth, Garcia’s double with one out represented Washington’s best scoring opportunity, but Adams struck out and Young grounded out to end the threat.
Game-Changing Sequences
Fourth Inning: De La Cruz drew a leadoff walk, stole second, and Fraley delivered the RBI single. This sequence exemplified how the Reds manufactured runs without power hitting.
Eighth Inning: The Reds broke the game open with a two-run frame. Hays and Fraley singled consecutively, setting up Marte’s RBI double and Trevino’s sacrifice fly. This stretched the lead from 1-0 to 3-0, effectively putting the game out of reach.
Ninth Inning: McLain’s bunt single led to a throwing error that scored Espinal, and De La Cruz’s RBI groundout provided the final margin. These manufactured runs showcased Cincinnati’s ability to capitalize on Washington’s defensive miscues.
Team Records and Standings Impact
The victory improved Cincinnati’s record to 53-50 (.515 winning percentage) on the season. The Reds had struggled in the first two games of the series, losing 6-1 and 5-0, making this win essential to salvage a split of their road trip.
Washington fell to a disappointing record at home, seeing their five-game winning streak against Cincinnati snapped. The Nationals entered trade deadline discussions as sellers, while the Reds remained buyers hoping to catch the Padres in the Wild Card race.
The regular season series between the teams now stood at Nationals 10, Reds 8, reflecting how competitive these division opponents remained throughout 2025.
Looking Ahead
For the Reds, this performance by Lodolo provided a massive boost heading into a crucial eight-game homestand. Nick Martinez (8-9, 4.73 ERA) was scheduled to pitch Friday in the opener of a three-game series against Tampa Bay.
The Nationals prepared to host Minnesota for a three-game set beginning Friday, with MacKenzie Gore (4-9, 3.59 ERA) taking the mound against the Twins’ Zebby Matthews (1-2, 6.26 ERA).
Both teams faced critical decisions at the July trade deadline. The Nationals, well out of playoff contention, evaluated which veterans to move. The Reds, still clinging to postseason hopes, considered adding pieces to bolster their roster for the stretch run.
Key Takeaways from July 23, 2025
Nick Lodolo’s complete game shutout represented the type of performance that can define a season. With 105 pitches, 76 strikes, zero walks, and just four hits allowed, he gave his team exactly what they needed when they needed it most.
The Cincinnati Reds manufactured five runs without hitting a home run, demonstrating that small ball still wins baseball games. De La Cruz’s speed on the basepaths, Fraley’s timely hitting, and clutch performances from Marte and McLain combined to provide enough offense for Lodolo’s masterpiece.
Washington’s inability to solve Lodolo’s arsenal highlighted why the left-hander had become one of baseball’s most underrated pitchers. His recent stretch of dominance suggested a pitcher entering his prime, capable of carrying a rotation through September.
The cincinnati reds vs washington nationals match player stats from this July afternoon showed that great pitching beats great hitting, manufactured runs beat power outages, and sometimes one player’s excellence can save an entire series from disaster. Lodolo did exactly that, keeping the Reds’ playoff hopes alive with his first career complete game shutout.
For fans tracking MLB action, games like this demonstrate why baseball remains unpredictable and thrilling. Statistics tell the story, but they can’t fully capture the drama of watching a young pitcher dominate for nine innings or the tension of a 1-0 game stretching into the eighth inning before the offense finally provided breathing room.
