CJ Abrams doubles and homers as Nationals beat Tigers 7-5 for 5th straight win

DETROIT - DETROIT (AP) — CJ Abrams hit a double and a home run and the Washington Nationals beat the Detroit Tigers 7-5 on Wednesday night for their first five-game winning streak in three years.

Jake Irvin (5-5) gave up gave up one run on six hits in six innings.

Washington last won five straight between June 19-24, 2021. A victory on Thursday would give the team its first six-game winning streak since an eight-game streak from Sept. 23-29, 2019 — the year the Nationals won the World Series.

DETROIT, MI - JUNE 12: CJ Abrams #5 of the Washington Nationals hits a solo home run against the Detroit Tigers during the third inning at Comerica Park on June 12, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images)

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Detroit’s Reese Olson (1-8) allowed five runs (four earned) on 10 hits and two walks in 5 1/3 innings. Olson has a 10.43 ERA in three June starts after posting a 1.92 ERA in his first 10 starts.

Matt Vierling hit his first career lead-off homer to give Olson the lead, but Abrams tied the game with a home run in the third.

The Nationals went up 2-1 on Keibert Ruiz’s sacrifice fly in the fourth inning then took control with a three-run fifth.

Jacob Young led off with a double and scored on Abrams’ two-base hit. Jesse Winker singled and Eddie Rosario made it 4-1 with an RBI single. Luis García Jr. reached on a fielder’s choice, then stole second. Carson Kelly’s throw sailed into center field, allowing Winker to score from third.

Abrams nearly added to his batting line in the sixth, but Mark Canha made a diving stop at first base to rob him of an RBI double.

The Tigers scored three in the eighth, including Gio Urshela’s two-run double.

Washington made it 7-4 with two runs off Will Vest in the ninth.

Kyle Finnigan allowed a homer to Riley Greene in the bottom of the inning before finishing the game for his 19th save.