Jesse Winker’s go-ahead home run lifts Nationals past Diamondbacks 3-1

Arizona (36-38) was denied getting back to .500 for the first time since April 16, when it was 9-9. The Diamondbacks were hitless in five at bats with runners in scoring position.

“This was a day for me about our offense,” Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said. “Our offense had a lot of chances and we just couldn’t capitalize on that point or get that big goal at the right time.”

Arizona starter Brandon Pfaadt got through five scoreless innings in just 50 pitches, allowing only one runner to reach scoring position.

But with two outs in the sixth and Washington trailing 1-0, Lane Thomas walked. Winker then ripped a four-seam fastball to center for his seventh home run this season. The left fielder batted .452 (19 for 42) over his last 14 games.

“He’s sticking to baseball better,” Washington manager Dave Martinez said. “He is more selective and swings on pitches in the zone. He has always been a good hitter. He had some injuries, but I like the way he swings the bat.

Pfaadt (3-6) left with two runners on and one out in the seventh. Varga’s pinch hit and greeted reliever Kevin Ginkel with a single to right, scoring Keibert Ruiz.

Pfaadt allowed three runs in 6 1/3 innings. He gave up five hits and four walks and had no strikeouts.

Derek Law (4-2) threw two scoreless innings. Hunter Harvey scored the eighth and Kyle Finnegan pitched a perfect ninth for his 21st save in 23 chances. The Diamondbacks managed just one hit — Corbin Carroll’s one-out double in the eighth — in four innings against Washington’s bullpen.

“Our pitching carried us,” Winker said. “These guys were incredible. Playing behind them, it’s electric.”

Arizona loaded the bases with no outs in the fourth and moved a run on Gabriel Moreno’s one-out walk. Washington starter Patrick Corbin ended the threat with a strikeout and an error.

Corbin, a former Diamondback, struck out a season-high seven in five innings, while giving up a run and three hits with three walks.

Diamondbacks: Lovullo said imaging on the shoulder of LHP Eduardo Rodriguez showed “significant healing, almost 100 percent healing.” Rodriguez, who signed a four-year, $80 million contract with Arizona this offseason, has yet to make his Diamondbacks debut. Lovullo said Rodriguez will likely throw off a mound in the coming week.

Nationals: SS CJ Abrams was cut from the lineup with a left hand injury. Martinez said Abrams underwent an MRI exam after the game. Rookie Nasim Nuñez started in his place.

Arizona RHP Ryne Nelson (4-5, 5.49 ERA) looks to win back-to-back starts for the first time this season on Thursday. Washington counters with LHP MacKenzie Gore (6-5, 3.24) at the end of the three-game series.

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