James Wood’s grand slam helps power the Nationals to a 12-11 win over the Astros

WASHINGTON (AP) — James Wood hit a grand slam in the fifth inning and the Washington Nationals overcame a five-run deficit and held off the Houston Astros 12-11 in the opener of a three-game series Monday night.

CJ Abrams and Curtis Mead each homered and drove in three runs as part of three-hit games for Washington. Nasim Nuñez also had three hits and his major league-leading 33rd stolen base.

Jose Altuve, Yainer Diaz and Brice Matthews homered for Houston.

Mead led off the fifth with a go-ahead home run for the Nationals, who then loaded the bases to chase Astros starter Mike Burrows (4-9). Drew Millas hit a sacrifice fly off AJ Blubaugh before Nuñez’s infield single loaded the bases again. Wood then launched a 446-foot blast to center for his second grand slam of the season.

Houston scored four runs in the eighth off reliever Cole Henry to pull within 12-11, a rally capped by Matthews’ three-run shot to left.

Washington starter Miles Mikolas (3-7) gave up seven runs and struck out three in six innings. Clayton Beeter recorded the last four outs for his seventh save.

Altuve hit a three-run homer off Mikolas in the second, and Read Entire Article