On the same day he announced his spot in the 2025 MLB Home Run Derby, Washington Nationals star James Wood put on a career performance, going 5-for-5 with a home run in an 11-7 victory over the Detroit Tigers.
Wood, 22, wasted no time getting started, singling in the first inning off Tigers starter Dietrich Enns. He followed with a towering two-run homer in the second, sparking a Nationals rally that erased Detroit’s early 3-0 lead. By the end of his night, Wood added three more hits: an RBI single in the fourth, a leadoff single in the sixth, and another single in the eighth inning.
The stellar performance raised Wood’s batting average to .294, sixth-best in the majors. His .395 on-base percentage and .563 slugging rank him third in MLB, as does his .958 OPS. His 23rd homer of the season tied him for fifth-most in the league.
Meanwhile, Enns struggled mightily for Detroit, allowing eight runs (seven earned) over four innings after looking sharp in his previous outing.
Earlier Thursday, Wood confirmed his participation in the upcoming Home Run Derby, becoming the third player to commit to the event. The Nationals slugger recently made headlines when the Angels intentionally walked him four times in a single game, a rare feat matched by only a handful of MLB legends.
Although Wood wasn’t voted a National League starter for the 2025 All-Star Game, he remains a strong candidate to be named a reserve when rosters are finalized on July 6.
James Wood Goes 5-for-5, Announces Home Run Derby Entry as Nationals Defeat Tigers 11-7
