Rookie James Wood's 3-run homer gives the Nationals a 5-2 win and a 3-game sweep of the Reds

WASHINGTON (AP) — James Wood hit a three-run homer with two outs in the eighth inning, and the Washington Nationals completed a three-game sweep of the Cincinnati Reds with a 5-2 victory on Sunday.

Wood, a 21-year-old rookie and the Nationals' top prospect, sent a first-pitch fastball from Justin Wilson 405 feet the opposite way to left field. His second homer since his debut on July 1 gave the Nationals their fifth win in six games.

After general manager Mike Rizzo made clear on Friday that Washington is still in rebuilding mode, the Nationals (47-53) drew even in the wild-card standings with Cincinnati, which began the second half hoping to make a playoff push. The Reds have lost four straight.

Jake Irvin and Andrew Abbott dueled to a stalemate over seven innings. Irvin allowed solo homers to Noelvi Marte and Stuart Fairchild among five hits. He struck out seven and walked none, giving the Nationals’ bullpen the break it needed after it had to cover seven innings Saturday night.

Robert Garcia (2-3) pitched the eighth before All-Star Kyle Finnegan worked the ninth for his 28th save in 32 chances. He saved each of the three wins against the Reds.

Abbott was stout for Cincinnati, giving up two unearned runs on six hits before yielding to Lucas Sims (1-4) for the final out of the seventh. Sims allowed a two-out single to Keibert Ruiz and a bunt single to Ildemaro Vargas in the eighth before Wood’s homer.

The left-hander got some help from his outfield. Left fielder Will Benson made a diving, backhanded catch of a liner by Wood in the fourth to take away an extra-base hit, then dived again to snare a sinking liner by Jacob Young to end the inning. Center fielder Stuart Fairchild banged into the wall to catch a deep drive by Wood in the sixth.

Juan Yepez extended his hitting streak to a career-best 13 games with a double in the third. He has a hit in every game he’s played for Washington, the longest streak to begin a stint with a team since David Dahl’s 16 games for Colorado in 2016.

Reds All-Star Elly De La Cruz stole his major league-leading 48th base after a two-out walk in the eighth but was stranded when Jeimer Candelario popped out.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Reds: OF TJ Friedl (right hamstring strain) began a rehab assignment at Triple-A Louisville.

Nationals: Irvin was visited briefly by trainers after he appeared to turn his ankle fielding a comebacker in the third.

UP NEXT

Reds: Right-hander Hunter Greene (6-4, 3.34 ERA) makes his first start since he took the loss in the All-Star Game as Cincinnati begins a three-game series at Atlanta.

Nationals: Have not announced a starter for Tuesday's opener of a three-game series against visiting San Diego.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Cincinnati Reds' Andrew Abbott pitches during the first inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Sunday, July 21, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/John McDonnell)

Cincinnati Reds second baseman Jonathan India, left, tags out Washington Nationals' Lane Thomas, right, who was attempting to steal second during the first inning of a baseball game Sunday, July 21, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/John McDonnell)

Washington Nationals' Jake Irvin pitches during the first inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds, Sunday, July 21, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/John McDonnell)

Washington Nationals' James Wood starts to run after hitting a single during the second inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds, Sunday, July 21, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/John McDonnell)

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) — Linebacker Haason Reddick won't play in the New York Jets' season-opening game Monday night at San Francisco while he remains in a contract dispute with the team.

Coach Robert Saleh acknowledged Saturday “that would be fair” to rule out Reddick, who has not been at the team's facility since the Jets' trade for him from Philadelphia became official on April 1.

The two-time Pro Bowl edge rusher, seeking a contract extension, has requested a trade from New York — something general manager Joe Douglas has said the team won't honor.

Saleh earlier in the week wouldn't rule out Reddick for the game, saying he's a veteran who knows how to prepare for the season. But the chances of that dwindled with each day of practice and Reddick remaining a holdout.

“Everyone goes through their own process,” Saleh said. "I'll stand firm that when he gets here, we're going to welcome him with open arms and we're going to love him up and he's going to be a part of this football team. And he's going to help us win a lot of football games.

“He's got to sort through the financial stuff, which is none of my business. I said it when I first got hired that our job is to help these guys make money. So, I always stay clear of it. Our job is to coach him when he gets here and love him up when he gets here.”

Reddick, who has four straight seasons of double-digit sacks, requested a trade from Philadelphia in the offseason when it became clear the Eagles wouldn’t give him a contract extension. The Jets had conversations with Reddick's representatives and felt comfortable enough to make the deal to acquire him.

Reddick, who turns 30 later this month, remains on the reserve/did not report list, where he was placed by the Jets on July 25, the second day of training camp practice.

Saleh insisted he's not frustrated by the situation with Reddick.

“Like I said, he's going through his process,” the coach said. “And when he gets here, we're going to do everything we can to help him get what he wants.”

Reddick's total fines for his holdout have surpassed $5 million, including over $2 million for missing all of training camp. He'll now forfeit almost $800,000 in game checks for each regular-season game he misses.

Backup offensive lineman Wes Schweitzer is out for the game with a hand injury that Saleh said will land him on injured reserve, meaning he'll be sidelined for at least the first four games. Schweitzer, entering his second season with the Jets, is a primary backup at guard.

Second-year linebacker Zaire Barnes, a special teams standout, will miss the game with an ankle injury.

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

FILE - Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Haason Reddick (7) in action against New York Jets tight end Tyler Conklin (83) and offensive tackle Max Mitchell (61) during an NFL football game, Oct. 15, 2023, in East Rutherford NJ. (AP Photo/Rich Schultz, File)