Garcia, Winker go deep as Nats end slide, beat struggling Twins 12-3

WASHINGTON D.C. – Luis García Jr. showcased his power with a homer and three RBIs, while Eddie Rosario chimed in with an equally impressive three RBIs, as the Washington Nationals ended their five-game skid with authority, thumping the struggling Minnesota Twins 12-3 on Monday evening.

In a standout fifth inning, Jesse Winker blasted a solo shot, and Jacob Young delivered a pivotal two-run single off Twins’ starter Pablo López (4-4), amplifying Washington’s offensive onslaught with a total of 14 hits.

“We stayed disciplined, focused on hitting to the center of the field,” remarked Nats manager Dave Martinez. “The big takeaway today is not just the home runs but the consistent hits we produced, exactly what we emphasize.”

Frustration loomed large in the Twins’ camp as they convened for a players-only meeting post-game, with a primary aim to recalibrate an offense that has only managed 12 runs during this unfortunate slide.

“It’s easy to keep spirits high when everything’s clicking, but tough times reveal true character,” reflected Carlos Correa, who contributed a two-run homer for Minnesota. “Conversations like these are necessary.”

In a solid outing, Mitchell Parker (3-2) weathered the storm, conceding three runs across six innings, his longest stint since a shutout performance against Houston back in April.

Correa’s sixth-inning homer was a brief reprieve for the Twins, although Parker’s resilience shone through as he extinguished further threats, culminating in a pivotal strikeout of Kyle Farmer to cap off his outing.

“We debated pulling him out, but I wanted to see him push through,” explained Martinez. “Given our lead, it was an opportunity for him to showcase his mettle, and he delivered.”

López, on the other hand, endured a rough outing, surrendering a season-worst seven runs over five innings. The Nationals capitalized further with three additional runs in the sixth, followed by two more in the eighth, courtesy of Rosario’s clutch single.

Twins’ hopes dimmed further in the second inning when Nats’ shortstop CJ Abrams thwarted Byron Buxton’s attempt to score on a relay, limiting Minnesota to just one run after Willi Castro’s double. Parker then settled in, retiring 10 of the next 11 batters he faced.

Looking ahead, Nationals’ left-hander Patrick Corbin (1-4, 5.59 ERA) aims to extend his recent promising form, while Twins’ right-hander Joe Ryan (2-3, 3.57 ERA) seeks redemption after conceding four earned runs for the first time this season.