CJ Abrams hits two homers as Nationals hold off Tigers 3-1

Washington beat Detroit 3-1 on Tuesday, riding two home runs from CJ Abrams and a steady pitching chain at Comerica Park. Abrams accounted for every Nationals RBI, while Jackson Kent and the Washington bullpen kept the Tigers from turning seven hits into a larger inning.

Abrams opened the scoring with a solo homer to right-center in the second inning. Detroit's only run came in the sixth when a Jackson Kent wild pitch allowed a runner to score. Abrams came up again in the seventh and hit his 33rd homer, this time scoring Dylan Crews and putting Washington ahead 3-1.

Crews went 2-for-4 and scored twice, while Abrams finished 2-for-4 with two runs and three RBIs. Washington had seven hits overall and did most of its damage through the middle of the lineup. Detroit also had seven hits, led by two each from Kevin McGonigle and Max Clark.

Kent gave Washington four innings and allowed one run on six hits with three strikeouts and two walks, with the run scoring on his wild pitch. Jack Sinclair followed with 1 1/3 scoreless innings, and Erik Tolman struck out three in a scoreless ninth to finish the win. Detroit's Drew Anderson allowed three runs in six innings and struck out five.

The Tigers put runners on base after Abrams' second homer, but Washington avoided the big inning. Detroit went 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position and left nine men aboard. The Nationals' seven pitchers combined to keep the lead intact after the wild-pitch run.

Abrams' two swings supplied the margin, while the pitching staff made it stand. The first homer created the opening, the second restored Washington's lead, and the bullpen handled the final four innings without another run. Detroit had chances, but every later threat ended before a second run could cross.