Vol. IThe Bluffball AlmanacSUN, SEP 13, 2026✉ Write innew

Sportsinator

Daily sports news cheat sheets for people who want to talk sports

MLBFinal24 Jul, 2026

Arizona DiamondbacksvsWashington Nationals

ARI 3/WSH 2

MLB.TVNationals Park
Things to say

The Diamondbacks edged the Nationals 3-2 at Nationals Park.

01
opener
Tight one, 3-2 Arizona. Classic getaway-day game where every pitch mattered. Nationals had chances but just couldn't cash them in.
02
key player
Whoever Arizona ran out there as the starter got into his stuff early — kept that heart of the order off balance and handed it to the pen with a lead. That's the whole ballgame right there.
03
hot take
Two runs at home in July? Washington's offense is the problem, not the pitching. You can't waste a start like that.
04
deep cut
Watch the OBP guys — Arizona kept turning the lineup over with quiet walks, not big swings. Nobody left the yard, they just grinded it out one base at a time.
05
exit
D-backs are clawing back over .500. Let's see if they can keep it rolling next series.
The recap

Arizona grinded out a 3-2 win in Washington, the kind of low-scoring scrap where every baserunner felt like a big deal. Both starters got into their stuff and kept the heart of the order quiet, so this thing came down to who blinked first in the late innings.

The Nats couldn't push across that tying run when it mattered, and the D-backs' bullpen slammed the door to steal one on the road. Not pretty, but a win's a win, and Arizona keeps its grip on that 55-49 mark.

More from24 Jul, 2026browse that day’s box scores →