Red-hot Jesse Winker guides Nationals past D-backs

Jesse Winker hit a two-run home run in the sixth inning and the Washington Nationals rallied for a 3-1 win against the visiting Arizona Diamondbacks on Wednesday.

With Washington trailing 1-0, Lane Thomas drew a two-out walk against Arizona starter Brandon Pfaadt, and Winker homered to center on an 0-1 fastball to give Washington the lead.

The Nationals, who have won four of their past five, added a run on Ildemaro Vargas' RBI single in the seventh.

Derek Law (4-2) pitched two perfect innings of relief for the win, and Kyle Finnegan worked the ninth for his 21st save of the year. Washington starter Patrick Corbin turned in one of his better efforts of the season, allowing one run on three hits over five innings. He walked three and struck out seven.

Winker has reached base in 13 of his past 14 games, going 18-for-42 (.429) with the homer, eight RBIs and eight runs during that stretch.

Pfaadt (3-6) worked 6 1/3 innings and was charged with three runs on five hits and four walks. Arizona pitchers did not record a strikeout until the eighth inning.

Lourdes Gurriel Jr. had two of Arizona's four hits. The Diamondbacks had won four of their past five.

Gurriel and Christian Walker singled leading off the top of the fourth before Randal Grichuk walked to load the bases. Shortstop Nasim Nunez, in for CJ Abrams, who was a late scratch, knocked down Eugenio Suarez's liner and threw home for a forceout. Gabriel Moreno then walked to bring in the game's first run.

However, Blaze Alexander struck out and Geraldo Perdomo popped out to end the frame.

In the seventh, Keibert Ruiz singled with one out and Jacob Young followed with a walk. Kevin Ginkel replaced Pfaadt and pinch hitter Vargas grounded a single to right, scoring Ruiz to make it 3-1 Washington.

Arizona's Corbin Carroll hit a double to center with one out in the eighth. Young tried to barehand the ball on the play and missed it, allowing Carroll to go to third, but Hunter Harvey struck out Gurriel and got Walker to ground out to get out of the inning unscathed.

--Field Level Media