CJ Abrams’ Walk-Off: Nationals Snap Six-Game Skid in Dramatic Fashion

By Oliver Wiener August 10, 2025 19:02

The Washington Nationals ended a frustrating six-game skid in dramatic fashion on August 6, 2025, thanks to a walk-off single by breakout star CJ Abrams. The 2-1 victory over the Oakland Athletics at Nationals Park was a much-needed spark for a team looking to regain momentum in a challenging season.

Trailing 1-0 for much of the game, the Nationals saw rookie pitcher Cade Cavalli make his second start coming off Tommy John surgery. Cavalli delivered a gutsy 4 1/3 innings of scoreless ball, allowing just one hit while earning warm ovations from the home crowd for his resilience and control after a lengthy recovery.

The Athletics grabbed the early lead in the sixth inning with Tyler Soderstrom’s 20th homer of the season, a towering shot to right-center field off Cavalli. However, the Nationals answered back swiftly. Riley Adams tied the game at 1-1 with a solo home run in the bottom of the sixth, stabilizing the Nationals' offense and reigniting their hopes.

The excitement crescendoed in the ninth inning with the game still tied at 1-1. Rookie Robert Hassell III led off with a clutch double off Athletic reliever Michael Kelly, reaching second base with one out. After advancing to third on a single by Adams, Hassell was poised to score the winning run.

Enter CJ Abrams, who launched a sharp single to left field, perfectly placed to drive in Hassell and secure the walk-off victory for Washington. The hit, timed perfectly in the pressure cooker of the ninth inning, ended the Nationals’ losing streak and sent the Nationals’ faithful into jubilation.

“I told myself to stay focused and keep it simple,” Abrams reflected postgame. “Everyone was giving it their all tonight, and to get that walk-off hit for the team feels incredible. We needed this one, for sure.”

Manager Dave Martinez praised both Abrams and the team’s perseverance. “CJ continues to show why he’s such a special player. The way this team fought back tonight—the pitchers, the offense it’s exactly what you want to see from a club that’s still scratching and clawing.”

Statistically, the game was a nail-biter with strong pitching performances on both sides. Cavalli’s 4 1/3 scoreless innings helped keep the Nationals in the hunt, while relief pitchers Shane McClanahan and A.J. Alexy combined to shut down the Athletics over the final four innings, preserving the narrow advantage.

The Athletics, who entered the game with a shaky bullpen, struggled to close it out despite a solid start from Jeffrey Springs, who allowed one run over six innings with five strikeouts. Kelly allowed the go-ahead run but managed to record the last two outs before the Nationals’ ninth-inning rally.

The win improved the Nationals’ record to 45-68, still a tough season overall, but the team now shows glimpses of life and resiliency that could fuel a late-season push. The combination of young talent like Abrams and Hassell, alongside promising pitching performances from Cavalli and the bullpen, suggests the Nationals may be laying groundwork for future competitiveness.

In essence, CJ Abrams’ walk-off single did more than just break a losing streak it injected new energy and belief into a beleaguered squad, proving that even in tough seasons, moments of triumph can light the way forward.