The Washington Nationals walked into Chase Field on May 30, 2025, and handed the Arizona Diamondbacks a 9-7 defeat that showed exactly where both teams stood at that point in the season. Josh Bell crushed a three-run homer, Robert Hassell III drove in three runs, and James Wood continued his impressive rookie campaign with a solo shot as the Nats improved to 27-30 while dropping the D-backs to an identical 27-30 record.
Table of contents
Game Summary
Final Score: Washington Nationals 9, Arizona Diamondbacks 7
Date: Friday, May 30, 2025
Venue: Chase Field, Phoenix, Arizona
Attendance: 29,435
First Pitch: 9:40 PM ET
Game Duration: 3:00
Temperature: 99°F
Washington Nationals Offensive Stats
The Nationals offense came alive at Chase Field, collecting 11 hits and taking advantage of Arizona’s defensive miscues to score nine runs.
Top Performers
| Player | Position | AB | R | H | RBI | HR | BB | K | AVG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Robert Hassell III | OF | 4 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .333 |
| Josh Bell | 1B | 4 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | .250 |
| James Wood | OF | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | .333 |
| Nathaniel Lowe | 1B/DH | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | .333 |
| CJ Abrams | SS | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .250 |
| José Tena | 2B/3B | 4 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .500 |
Team Batting
Nationals: 11 H, 2 HR, 9 R, 2 BB, 7 LOB
Total Bases: 20
Robert Hassell III had himself a night in just his 11th major league game. The 23-year-old outfielder, who made his MLB debut on May 22, worked a grueling 10-pitch at-bat against Merrill Kelly in the first inning before drilling a two-run single to center that gave Washington an early 2-0 lead. He added another RBI single in the seventh to extend the Nationals’ lead to 9-6.
James Wood’s 16th home run of the season came at the perfect time in the third inning, a solo shot that started a two-run frame. Wood has been on an absolute tear with an RBI in six consecutive games heading into this contest. The 6-foot-7 outfielder, acquired from San Diego in the Juan Soto trade back in August 2022, continued to show why he was ranked as one of baseball’s top prospects.
Josh Bell followed Wood’s homer with a towering three-run blast that had the closed roof at Chase Field amplifying the crack of the bat. The veteran first baseman went yard for the third straight game, collecting his ninth homer of the season and pushing his RBI total to 22.
Nathaniel Lowe delivered the knockout blow in the sixth inning. After Juan Morillo walked the bases loaded, Lowe broke the 6-6 tie with a broken-bat, two-run single to right field that put Washington ahead for good at 8-6.
Arizona Diamondbacks Offensive Stats
The Diamondbacks battled but couldn’t overcome early defensive mistakes and timely Nationals hitting.
Top Performers
| Player | Position | AB | R | H | RBI | HR | BB | K | AVG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Geraldo Perdomo | SS | 4 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .500 |
| Pavin Smith | 1B | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .250 |
| Ketel Marte | 2B | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | .000 |
| Lourdes Gurriel Jr. | LF/DH | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .250 |
| Eugenio Suarez | 3B | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .250 |
| Josh Naylor | DH | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .250 |
| Corbin Carroll | CF | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .250 |
Team Batting
Diamondbacks: 12 H, 0 HR, 7 R, 1 BB, 6 LOB
Total Bases: 16
Arizona jumped on Jake Irvin early, scoring four runs in the bottom of the first inning on three singles and a groundout. The offense showed fight throughout the night, collecting 12 hits total, but the lack of extra-base power proved costly. The D-backs failed to hit a single home run, relying instead on stringing together hits.
Geraldo Perdomo and Pavin Smith each drove in two runs. Perdomo went 2-for-4 with two runs scored, while Smith collected an RBI single as part of the first inning rally. Both players were crucial in keeping Arizona within striking distance throughout the game.
Ketel Marte returned to the lineup after missing two games due to illness and batted second in the order. While he didn’t collect a hit, drawing a walk and scoring once, his presence in the lineup was important for the Diamondbacks’ offensive flow.
The Diamondbacks’ defensive struggles showed up early when second baseman Ketel Marte dropped a toss from Perdomo at shortstop on what should have been an inning-ending ground ball in the first. That error opened the door for Hassell’s two-run double and forced Kelly to throw 17 extra pitches in the frame.
Pitching Stats
Washington Nationals Pitching
| Pitcher | IP | H | R | ER | BB | K | HR | Pitches | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jake Irvin (W, 5-1) | 5.0 | 10 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 93 | Win |
| Andrew Chafin | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 20 | Hold |
| Brad Lord | 2.0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 32 | Hold |
| Kyle Finnegan (S, 16) | 1.0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 22 | Save |
Jake Irvin picked up his fifth win of the season despite getting knocked around for six runs on 10 hits in five innings. The right-hander came into the game off eight scoreless innings in his previous start, but his numbers typically dip after longer outings. He allowed four runs in the first inning alone as Arizona jumped on him early, but settled in enough to give his offense time to build the lead.
Brad Lord was the story of the bullpen. The young reliever manager Dave Martinez now trusts in high-leverage situations delivered two dominant innings in the seventh and eighth, striking out three and allowing just two hits. He said after the game he felt an adrenaline rush running out of the bullpen.
Kyle Finnegan closed things out for his 16th save in 19 chances, though he made it interesting by allowing a run on Geraldo Perdomo’s groundout in the ninth before shutting the door.
Arizona Diamondbacks Pitching
| Pitcher | IP | H | R | ER | BB | K | HR | Pitches | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Merrill Kelly (L) | 5.0 | 6 | 6 | 4 | 0 | 6 | 2 | 95 | Loss |
| Juan Morillo (BS, 0-1) | 1.0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 26 | Loss |
| Jalen Beeks | 1.0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 12 | |
| Ryan Thompson | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 12 | |
| Jeff Brigham | 1.0 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 20 |
Merrill Kelly took the loss despite striking out six batters over five innings. The right-hander allowed six hits including the two costly home runs to Wood and Bell in the third inning that put Washington ahead 6-4. Kelly allowed four earned runs on the night after that defensive error in the first inning added two unearned runs to his ledger.
“Merrill appeared to be out of the first inning by inducing a two-out ground ball, but second baseman Ketel Marte dropped the toss from Perdomo at shortstop,” CBS Sports reported. “Hassell followed with a two-run double and Kelly ended up throwing 17 extra pitches in the inning.”
Juan Morillo’s meltdown in the sixth proved to be the turning point. The reliever walked the bases loaded before Nathaniel Lowe’s broken-bat single gave Washington an 8-6 lead. Morillo fell to 0-1 on the season after failing to hold the 6-6 tie.
Key Game Moments
First Inning Explosion
Washington struck first after Marte’s error extended the inning. Hassell’s two-run double gave the Nats a 2-0 lead, but Arizona answered immediately with four runs in the bottom half. The back-and-forth set the tone for the entire night.
Third Inning Power Display
The third inning belonged to Washington’s power hitters. Wood led off with his 16th homer of the season, then Bell followed two batters later with a towering three-run shot that put the Nationals up 6-4. The consecutive homers gave Washington momentum they wouldn’t surrender.
Sixth Inning Breaking Point
With the game tied 6-6, Morillo walked José Tena, CJ Abrams, and James Wood to load the bases. Nathaniel Lowe, hitting .300 with runners in scoring position, delivered a clutch two-run single that broke Arizona’s back. Hassell added an insurance run in the seventh with another RBI single.
Defensive Highlights
The game featured several defensive gems despite the early error. Robert Hassell threw out Eugenio Suarez at home plate on a perfect relay, and right fielder Daylen Lile made a spectacular leaping catch to rob what would have been a two-run homer, ending the third inning with the bases loaded.
Team Standings Context
Both teams entered the game at 27-29, sitting at .500 and struggling to gain traction in their respective divisions. This victory was Washington’s ninth win in their last 12 games, part of a hot streak that saw them score at least nine runs in three consecutive games.
The Diamondbacks, meanwhile, had lost eight of nine games heading into this contest. Arizona’s pitching staff had been plagued by blowups and their defense by miscues during the slide. The loss dropped them to 27-30, extending their rough patch.
For more comprehensive baseball statistics and match breakdowns, visit Match vs Player Stats for detailed coverage of every game.
Season Context and Storylines
Robert Hassell III’s Emergence
Hassell’s three-RBI performance came in just his 11th career game after making his MLB debut on May 22 against the Atlanta Braves. The former eighth overall pick in the 2020 draft by San Diego was part of the blockbuster Juan Soto trade that sent him, Wood, Abrams, and MacKenzie Gore to Washington.
The 23-year-old entered the night hitting just .118 with one RBI in his first six games, but his advanced approach and compact swing have started translating at the major league level. His 10-pitch at-bat against Kelly in the first inning demonstrated the patience and discipline that made him a top prospect.
James Wood’s Breakout Season
Wood’s 16th home run of the season placed him fourth in the National League at that point. The 6-foot-7, 234-pound outfielder has been a revelation for Washington in his rookie campaign, combining massive raw power with surprising speed and plate discipline.
Wood’s six-game RBI streak heading into this matchup showcased his consistency. Coming off a game in Seattle where he drove in three runs in a 9-0 victory, Wood has become the centerpiece of Washington’s rebuilding effort.
Josh Bell’s Power Surge
Bell’s three-run homer marked his third straight game going deep. The veteran first baseman, who ironically was traded from Washington to San Diego alongside Soto before both eventually landed back in D.C., has provided veteran leadership and middle-of-the-order production.
His nine home runs through 57 games put Washington on pace for 60 homers, reaching that mark 17 games faster than in 2024. Only five teams in baseball had improved their slugging percentage year-over-year by a higher margin at that point in the season.
Arizona’s Struggles
The Diamondbacks came into this game reeling, having dropped nine of their last 10 games. The loss to Washington extended their miserable stretch and exposed ongoing issues with both pitching reliability and defensive execution.
Manager Torey Lovullo had been experimenting with lineup construction, moving Geraldo Perdomo up to the third spot for the first time in his career. The switch-hitting shortstop was having a career year, and Lovullo wanted to get him more at-bats in premium lineup spots.
Ketel Marte’s return from illness was a positive, but the defensive error in the first inning proved costly. The mistake opened the floodgates for Washington’s offense and set a poor tone that Arizona couldn’t overcome despite collecting 12 hits.
Bullpen Evolution
Washington’s bullpen transformation became a key storyline. In early May, the Nationals had the highest bullpen ERA in baseball, but manager Dave Martinez had gained confidence in his young relievers like Cole Henry and Brad Lord.
Lord’s two dominant innings in this game exemplified the turnaround. The young right-hander said he felt an adrenaline rush when he entered the game, and his six outs with three strikeouts were exactly what Washington needed to protect the lead.
Looking Ahead
The series continued the next night with the Nationals taking Game 2 by an 11-7 score behind a 10-run first inning, their most explosive offensive display of the season. Washington eventually won the series 2-1, sweeping the first two games before Arizona salvaged the finale.
The Nationals’ nine-win stretch in 12 games represented their best baseball of the first half. They would continue to hover around .500 for much of the season but showed flashes of the offensive potential that made them dangerous on any given night.
For Arizona, the series represented a low point in their season. The Diamondbacks would need to address their pitching consistency and defensive execution to turn things around and make a playoff push in the competitive NL West.
Statistical Comparisons
Batting Averages
Washington hit .282 as a team in this game (11-for-39), while Arizona hit .286 (12-for-42). The difference came down to power and timely hitting rather than overall production.
Power Numbers
The Nationals’ two home runs provided the difference maker, generating five of their nine runs. Arizona’s inability to hit the ball out of the park despite collecting 12 hits highlighted their struggles to capitalize on offensive opportunities.
Pitching Efficiency
Kelly’s 95 pitches through five innings versus Irvin’s 93 showed similar workloads, but Washington’s bullpen outperformed Arizona’s relievers when it mattered most. The Nationals’ relief corps allowed just one run over four innings, while Arizona’s bullpen gave up three runs in four frames.
Key Stats
Washington’s Key Numbers:
- 11 hits, 20 total bases
- 2 home runs (Wood, Bell)
- 2 walks, 3 strikeouts
- 7 runners left on base
- 1 error (Daylen Lile)
Arizona’s Key Numbers:
- 12 hits, 16 total bases
- 0 home runs
- 1 walk, 6 strikeouts
- 6 runners left on base
- 1 error (Ketel Marte)
The diamondbacks vs washington nationals match player stats from May 30, 2025, told the story of two teams heading in opposite directions, with Washington’s young core beginning to gel while Arizona searched for answers during a difficult stretch.
Expert Analysis
Offensive Approach
The Nationals showed a more patient approach at the plate, working longer at-bats and capitalizing on mistakes. Hassell’s 10-pitch at-bat in the first inning exemplified this approach, wearing down Kelly before delivering the key hit.
Washington’s coaching staff, led by hitting coaches Chris Johnson and Darnell Coles, had prepared the hitters well. “They’ve been nailing these guys, making sure we have all the information,” Hassell said after the game. “It’s almost like we faced them before we face them. So that’s a good feeling.”
The Diamondbacks, conversely, struggled to generate extra-base hits despite putting plenty of balls in play. Their 12 hits without a home run represented an inability to deliver the knockout blow when opportunities arose.
Pitching Matchup
The Jake Irvin versus Merrill Kelly matchup favored Arizona on paper. Kelly entered with a 3.52 ERA and had dominated the Nationals in previous matchups. Irvin came in at 4-1 with a 3.42 ERA but had a tendency to struggle in starts following particularly dominant outings.
That pattern held true as Irvin gave up six runs, but Washington’s offense provided enough support. The difference ultimately came down to bullpen execution, where Washington’s young arms outperformed Arizona’s veteran relievers.
Defensive Impact
The error by Marte in the first inning proved crucial, extending an inning that should have ended and leading to two additional runs. Small mistakes like that are magnified in tight games, and Arizona couldn’t overcome the early miscue.
Washington’s defense, ranked 29th in outs above average on the infield but top-10 in the outfield during May, made the plays when needed. Hassell’s throw to nail Suarez at the plate and Lile’s leaping catch to rob a home run were game-changing defensive moments.
Chase Field Factor
Playing in the desert heat with a closed roof at Chase Field, the ball typically carries well. The temperature reaching 99 degrees meant ideal hitting conditions once the roof closed. “If you can get the ball in the air here, you will be rewarded,” Bell said after the game.
Washington took advantage of the conditions with their two home runs, while Arizona couldn’t generate similar power despite numerous opportunities. The loud sounds amplified by the closed roof made the Nationals’ home runs even more dramatic.
Historical Context
For Washington, scoring at least nine runs in three straight games was a feat they hadn’t accomplished since April 2019. The offensive explosion represented a significant turnaround for a team that had struggled to score consistently early in the season.
The Nationals’ 60th home run of the season in just 57 games represented a massive improvement from 2024, when it took 74 games to reach that milestone. The power surge suggested a fundamental shift in the team’s offensive philosophy and capability.
For Arizona, the losing streak extended their worst stretch of the season. Having lost eight of nine before this game, the Diamondbacks needed to find answers quickly to avoid falling out of playoff contention in a competitive NL West division.
Bottom Line
The diamondbacks vs washington nationals match player stats from this May 30, 2025 contest revealed two teams at different points in their seasons. Washington rode the hot bats of Bell, Wood, and Hassell to victory, capitalizing on Arizona’s mistakes while their young bullpen delivered when called upon. Arizona collected more hits but couldn’t deliver the timely extra-base hits needed to overcome their early defensive miscue and keep pace with Washington’s power display.
The 9-7 final score reflected an entertaining game at Chase Field, where both offenses showed up but only one team could execute in the clutch moments. For the Nationals, it was another step forward in their rebuild. For the Diamondbacks, it represented one more frustrating loss in a season full of ups and downs.
