MILWAUKEE – Clubhouse chess has become a team-bonding activity for the Nationals. They played chess on the field, too, with a strategically-managed sweep of the Brewers.
In a Sunday matinee of lead changes, the Nationals navigated a series of late in-game moves to take an 8-6 victory.
With runners on the corners in the seventh inning in a two-out, 0-2 count at the plate, the Nationals pulled off a double steal. Curtis Mead bolted for second base, luring in William Contreras while James Wood bolted from third base to home.
In spite of Brice Turang quickly firing the ball back to Contreras, Wood slid in to beat the throw. He was initially called out, but the call was overturned to give the Nats a 5-3 lead.
That same inning, manager Blake Butera pinch-hit Jose Tena for Drew Millas, bringing Keibert Ruiz into the game in the bottom of the frame. Ruiz, who has struggled at the plate this season, delivered the go-ahead single off Aaron Ashby to drive in CJ Abrams and Jacob Young.
Butera also had to strategize his bullpen plans when reliever Ken Waldichuk exited the game in the seventh inning, pointing to his elbow. Waldichuk underwent Tommy John surgery in 2024 as a member of the A’s.