Instant Analysis: Nats 7, Twins 5
Behind a career-high five RBI from Keibert Ruiz and some effective relief behind Jake Irvin, the Nationals finally won their first home series of 2026
Something out of the ordinary had to happen for the Nationals to finally win a home series. That something was one of the best offensive games of Keibert Ruiz’s career.
The light-hitting catcher went 3-for-4 with two doubles, a homer and a career-high five RBI to lead the Nats not only to a 7-5 win over the Twins but their first series win at home this season.
The Twins took an early 2-0 lead despite producing only weak contact (and a whole lot of foul balls) against Jake Irvin. Irvin settled in briefly before giving up another run in the fifth, then one more when he took the mound for the sixth and immediately surrendered a leadoff homer to Ryan Jeffers before manager Blake Butera turned to his bullpen.
But by that point, the Nationals had compiled their own lead, thanks to the unlikely production of their catcher. Ruiz doubled in a run in the third, doubled in two runs in the fifth and then launched a go-ahead homer in the seventh for his biggest day at the plate in a long time.
The Nats added a tack-on run later in the seventh when James Wood doubled and Curtis Mead singled to right to drive in his teammate. And with a two-run cushion, relievers PJ Poulin and Gus Varland were able to close this one out, with Minnesota native Varland earning his team-leading fourth save.
HITTING HIGHLIGHT: And you thought Drew Millas’ big night Wednesday was unexpected. How about what his catching teammate did today? Ruiz was stuck in every bit as big an offensive funk as Millas was, and then he broke out in a huge way in this game. His third-inning double down the right-field line brought home one run. His fifth-inning double to right-center brought home two runs. And his seventh-inning homer into the right-field bullpen gave the Nationals the lead. With eight total bases, Ruiz enjoyed his most-productive day in two years and came within one base of his career high, which he set May 31, 2023. He entered the day with a .506 OPS. He ended it with a .642 OPS. That’s hard to do.
PITCHING HIGHLIGHT: This was a laborious start for Irvin. Some of that was his own doing. Some of it wasn’t. The pesky Twins managed four hits with an exit velocity of 70 mph or lower, plus two more groundball singles against a shifted infield. But the right-hander also struggled to put guys away when he had the chance with two strikes, with Minnesota’s batters fouling off a ridiculous 24 of his pitches (20 of those through the first three innings alone). Then there was the matter of velocity. Irvin’s fastball averaged only 90.7 mph, down from his season mark of 92.1. And the final pitch he threw – which was launched into the left-field stands by Jeffers – registered a mere 88.1 mph.
NOTABLE: Right-handed hitters are now 2-for-11 against Orlando Ribalta this season.
UP NEXT: The Nats hit the road for their first matchup this season with the Marlins. Friday’s 7:10 p.m. opener features Foster Griffin against fellow left-hander Robby Snelling, a top prospect making his MLB debut. TV: Nationals TV RADIO: 106.7 FM
Keibert went 3 for 4… 2 doubles and a homer. Finished the day with a gatorade bath. Not a bad day in the office.
Keibert Ruiz . . . I'm gonna go eat some crow.
What a great day for him. And I thought it was pure class that he gave credit to the hitting coaches and the work they are putting in with him.