On the same day that James Wood announced he’ll participate in the 2025 MLB Home Run Derby, the Washington Nationals‘ left fielder batted 5 for 5 for the first time in his career.
Wood, 22, got hits in all five of his at-bats — including a home run — in the Nationals’ 11-7 win over the Detroit Tigers on Thursday night. His big night began with a first-inning single off Tigers starter Dietrich Enns. In the second, he followed up with a two-run homer on a sinker that hung high in the middle of the strike zone.
Enns looked impressive in his previous start, his first since 2021, pitching five scoreless innings against the Athletics. But he gave back a 3-0 lead almost immediately, putting four of the first five batters on base, which included giving up a three-run home run to Paul DeJong. In four innings, Enns allowed eight runs (seven earned).
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Wood added an RBI single in the fourth inning, getting thrown out trying to extend his hit to a double. Yet he was back on base with a leadoff single in the sixth off Tigers reliever Bailey Horn. The Nationals’ second-year star finished his night with one more single to lead off the eighth against Carlos Hernández.
Earlier in the day, Wood announced on social media he is joining the Home Run Derby field, the third hitter to commit to the event. His homer on Thursday gave him 23 for the season, tying him for the fifth-highest total in MLB.
With his 5-for-5 night, Wood boosted his average to .294, sixth-best in MLB. His .395 on-base percentage and .563 slugging average rank him third among major leaguers, as does his .958 OPS.
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Any remaining question as to how highly regarded Wood is throughout MLB may have been answered on Sunday when the Los Angeles Angels made him the first batter in 21 years to be intentionally walked four times in a game. He was the fifth hitter since 1955 to receive that many intentional walks in one game, joining venerated sluggers including Barry Bonds, Manny Ramirez and Andre Dawson.
Wood was not selected as one of the National League starters for the 2025 All-Star Game, but should be among the reserves announced on July 6.
