Keibert Ruiz sends Washington Nationals past Minnesota Twins 7-5

How the game turned

The Twins trailed 5-4 when Josh Bell doubled home Ryan Jeffers in the 7th, tying the game at 5-5.

The Washington Nationals scored in 3 of 9 innings. Their largest inning was the 5th, when they scored 3 runs. The staff held the Minnesota Twins scoreless in 5 of 9 innings. The Washington Nationals finished with 7 runs and a 2-run margin.

The first turn for the Washington Nationals

The Nationals trailed 2-1 when Nasim Nuñez hit a sacrifice fly that scored Keibert Ruiz in the 3rd, tying the game at 2-2.

The Nationals trailed 3-2 when Keibert Ruiz drove in two with a double in the 5th, putting the Nationals ahead 4-3. The Nationals led 4-3 when Curtis Mead drove in one on a forceout in the 5th, extending the Nationals' lead to 5-3.

The lineup

Keibert Ruiz went 3-for-4 with 3 runs, 2 doubles, 1 home run, and 4 RBIs. Curtis Mead finished 1-for-4 with 2 RBIs. James Wood had 1 hit in 2 at-bats with 1 run, 1 double, and 2 walks. Jacob Young collected 1 hit across 3 at-bats with 2 runs. The Washington Nationals' 8 hits came from 6 batters. They also drew 4 walks. 4 hits went for extra bases.

Ruiz finished the game batting .214 for the season, with 2 home runs, 13 RBIs and a .633 OPS. For the Minnesota Twins, Ryan Jeffers went 3-for-4 with 3 runs, 2 doubles, 1 home run, 1 RBI, and 1 walk.

Pitching support

Jake Irvin worked 5 innings on 92 pitches, allowing 8 hits and 4 runs, walking 1 and striking out 2. 5 pitchers combined for the Washington Nationals' 9 innings on 168 pitches, allowing 11 hits and 4 walks with 8 strikeouts.

Twins starter Simeon Woods Richardson worked 4⅓ innings on 61 pitches, allowing 4 hits and 5 runs, walking 2 and striking out 2.

Standings

At the close of May 7, 2026, the Washington Nationals were 18-20, 2nd in the division and 8 games back. The Nationals ranked 9th in the league with a .474 winning percentage.