Carlos Santana three-run homer powers Cleveland Guardians past Nationals

Santana’s clutch home run leads Cleveland Guardians to 9-1 win over Washington Nationals in Game 2.

Cleveland Guardians first baseman Carlos Santana (41) celebrates after hitting a three-run home run during the sixth inning against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., on May 6, 2025. Photo by James A. Pittman/Imagn Images

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

Carlos Santana delivered a pivotal three-run homer in the sixth inning, sparking the Cleveland Guardians to a dominant 9-1 victory over the Washington Nationals on Tuesday night. The win allowed the Guardians to split the doubleheader after a narrow 10-9 loss in the opener. Santana's three-run blast, his fourth of the season, served as the turning point in a game that saw Cleveland’s offense ignite late and bury the Nationals under an offensive avalanche.

Santana's big swing ends early deadlock

The nightcap of the doubleheader started quietly, with both teams locked in a scoreless duel through the first five innings. The Guardians and Nationals, who combined for 19 runs in Game 1, managed just two hits between them during the early frames of the second game. But the silence broke in the sixth inning — and it broke loudly.

Steven Kwan led off the Guardians' sixth with an infield single. After a second out, José Ramirez drew a walk to keep the inning alive. With two runners on, Carlos Santana stepped up and crushed an 0-2 fastball from Nationals pitcher Brad Lord. The ball sailed over the right-field wall, giving Cleveland a 3-0 lead and marking Santana’s second home run of the month.

The Carlos Santana three-run homer not only broke the scoring drought but completely shifted momentum in favor of the Guardians. His veteran presence and power at the plate continue to be invaluable for a Cleveland lineup filled with both emerging and seasoned talent.

Cleveland piles on as Schneemann and Hedges join the action

Washington attempted to respond quickly, as Riley Adams hit a solo shot in the bottom half of the sixth. The fastball he sent over the right-center field wall was his second home run in the past four games, giving Nationals fans a brief reason to cheer. But Cleveland’s bullpen shut down any hope of a comeback after that.

Tim Herrin took over for Ben Lively after Adams' blast and handled the remainder of the sixth inning effectively, helping preserve Cleveland's lead.

Then came the Guardians' next wave of offense in the seventh. Nolan Jones walked and advanced to second on a pinch-hit single by Daniel Schneemann. Brayan Rocchio brought home Jones on a fielder's choice. Schneemann then scored on a wild pitch by Jackson Rutledge, and Rocchio crossed the plate on Kwan's RBI double to make it 6-1.

Cleveland's bats weren’t done. In the eighth inning, Santana reached base again and later scored on another wild pitch, this time from Eduardo Salazar. Schneemann followed with a solo homer to right field — his fifth of the season and third in his last four games — capping off the Guardians' offensive explosion and sealing the 9-1 win.

Lively strong on the mound, Guardians limit Nationals' chances

Cleveland starting pitcher Ben Lively (2-2) gave the Guardians just what they needed in a bounce-back game. Lively allowed only one run on two hits and struck out three over 5 1/3 innings, keeping the Nationals in check through the first five innings. He induced weak contact and relied on his defense to keep the scoreboard clean until Santana's big swing gave him a comfortable lead.

On the other side, Brad Lord (1-4) gave up three runs on three hits across six innings, including the crucial three-run homer to Santana. While Lord started strong and kept the Guardians hitless through four innings, his control slipped in the sixth, and Cleveland made him pay.

The Nationals' bullpen also struggled with command. Two wild pitches in the seventh and eighth innings allowed the Guardians to tack on runs and extend their lead with minimal effort. While the Nationals had entered the game riding a three-game winning streak, Game 2’s result exposed lingering issues with their bullpen’s consistency.

Guardians heat up at the plate

The Carlos Santana three-run homer served as a rallying point for the Guardians, who have now won six of their last eight games. The veteran slugger’s performance is just one of many examples of Cleveland’s improved offensive rhythm in recent weeks. Daniel Schneemann, who added a homer of his own, has been one of the team’s hottest hitters lately, with three long balls in his last four games.

Austin Hedges also went deep earlier in the game, adding to the Guardians’ home run tally, while Steven Kwan continued his strong stretch with an RBI double. Kwan's ability to reach base and create run-scoring opportunities has been a crucial factor during Cleveland’s recent surge.

Even more encouraging for Guardians fans is the way the lineup is producing from top to bottom. From the veteran leadership of Santana to the timely hitting of Schneemann and Rocchio, Cleveland is finding ways to string together impactful innings and wear down opposing pitching staffs.

Nationals grounded after Game 1 thriller

Earlier in the day, the Nationals emerged victorious in a high-scoring 10-9 affair in Game 1 of the doubleheader. But the second game saw their offense stall and their pitching unravel. Riley Adams’ solo home run was the lone bright spot in an otherwise quiet performance from Washington’s lineup.

Following the loss, the Nationals’ three-game winning streak came to a halt, and questions remain about the team’s pitching depth. The bullpen’s inability to stop the bleeding after the sixth inning highlighted the challenges that manager Dave Martinez faces as he attempts to keep the club competitive.

Guardians trending upward

The Cleveland Guardians’ victory in the nightcap of the doubleheader showcased a balanced attack fueled by power hitting, patient at-bats, and opportunistic base running. With the Carlos Santana three-run homer setting the tone, the team has reinforced its identity as a resilient and increasingly dangerous squad in the American League.

With the win, Cleveland continues to climb the standings and build momentum. The combination of veteran leadership, emerging contributors, and consistent pitching has the Guardians looking like serious contenders.

The Nationals, meanwhile, will need to regroup quickly as they prepare for their next series. Solidifying their bullpen and regaining offensive rhythm will be crucial if they hope to bounce back and remain competitive in the National League East.

As Santana’s blast echoed into the D.C. night, the message was clear: the Guardians are not backing down — and they have the firepower to keep winning.