Josh Bell hits 3-run homer, Nationals knock off Diamondbacks 9-7 in series opener
Washington Nationals' Josh Bell, right, smiles as he celebrates his three-run home run against the Arizona Diamondbacks with Nationals' Nathaniel Lowe (33) during the third inning of a baseball game Friday, May 30, 2025, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Arizona Diamondbacks' Eugenio Suárez, second from left, is tagged out at home plate by Washington Nationals catcher Riley Adams, right, as home plate umpire Lance Barksdale and Diamondbacks' Pavin Smith (26) look on during the third inning of a baseball game Friday, May 30, 2025, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Merrill Kelly tosses the rosin bag after giving up a triple to Washington Nationals' José Tena during the third inning of a baseball game Friday, May 30, 2025, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Washington Nationals starting pitcher Jake Irvin gets a news baseball during the third inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks Friday, May 30, 2025, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Washington Nationals' José Tena (8) slides safely into third base with a triple as Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman Eugenio Suárez waits for a possible throw during the third inning of a baseball game Friday, May 30, 2025, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Washington Nationals' José Tena (8) slides safely into third base with a triple as Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman Eugenio Suárez waits for a possible throw during the third inning of a baseball game Friday, May 30, 2025, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Washington Nationals' Josh Bell, right, smiles as he celebrates his three-run home run against the Arizona Diamondbacks with Nationals' Nathaniel Lowe (33) during the third inning of a baseball game Friday, May 30, 2025, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Arizona Diamondbacks' Eugenio Suárez, second from left, is tagged out at home plate by Washington Nationals catcher Riley Adams, right, as home plate umpire Lance Barksdale and Diamondbacks' Pavin Smith (26) look on during the third inning of a baseball game Friday, May 30, 2025, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Merrill Kelly tosses the rosin bag after giving up a triple to Washington Nationals' José Tena during the third inning of a baseball game Friday, May 30, 2025, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Washington Nationals starting pitcher Jake Irvin gets a news baseball during the third inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks Friday, May 30, 2025, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Washington Nationals' José Tena (8) slides safely into third base with a triple as Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman Eugenio Suárez waits for a possible throw during the third inning of a baseball game Friday, May 30, 2025, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
PHOENIX (AP) — Josh Bell hit a three-run homer, Robert Hassell III had three RBIs and the Washington Nationals beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 9-7 on Friday night.
Hassell hit a two-run single in the first inning and a run-scoring single in the seventh that put Washington up 9-6. James Wood hit a solo homer and Kyle Finnegan gave up a run on Geraldo Perdomo's groundout before closing out the ninth for his 16th save in 19 chances.
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Nathaniel Lowe hit a go-ahead two-run single after Juan Morillo (0-1) walked the bases loaded in the sixth. Washington starter Jake Irvin (5-1) allowed six runs on 10 hits in five innings.
Perdomo and Pavin Smith had two RBIs for Arizona, which has lost eight of nine.
The Diamondbacks have been plagued by pitching blowups and fielding miscues during their recent slide.
A mistake cost them early against Washington.
Merrill Kelly appeared to be out of the first inning by inducing a two-out ground ball, but second baseman Ketel Marte dropped the toss from Perdomo at shortstop. Hassell followed with a two-run double and Kelly ended up throwing 17 extra pitches in the inning.
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Arizona answered with four runs in the bottom half against Irvin on three singles and a groundout.
Homers hurt Kelly in the third.
Wood led off with his 16th and Bell followed with a towering three-run shot to put the Nationals up 6-4.
Kelly allowed six hits — four earned — on six hits and struck out six in five innings.
Key moment
Lowe's two-run single in the sixth broke a 6-all tie.
Key stat
Wood has an RBI in six straight games.
Up next
Washington RHP Michael Soroka (1-3, 5.61 ERA) faces Arizona RHP Brandon Pfaadt (7-3, 3.90) Saturday in the second game of the series.
___
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