Braves roll past Nationals 11-5, Bakers-dozen win streak, but Ozzie Albies fractures hamate bone and is done for 2025. Full recap & stat deep dive.
Nationals vs Braves & Albies’ Injury
In a Monday night game, the Atlanta Braves defeated the Washington Nationals 11-5, extending their win streak to nine games. But the celebration came with bad news: second baseman Ozzie Albies suffered a fractured hamate bone in his left wrist and will miss the rest of the 2025 season.
Make it 9️⃣ in a row!#BravesCountry pic.twitter.com/vc1GORZeeS
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) September 23, 2025
Why it still matters & what’s at stake
- Though neither team is in serious playoff contention (the Braves are eliminated, and the Nationals are far off), every game still shapes offseason decisions, player evaluations, and future contracts.
- For Braves, winning momentum matters as does evaluating depth and options with star players injured. The Albies injury in a “Nationals vs Braves” game gives insight into where the roster might need reinforcement.
- For Nationals, beating Atlanta (even in losses) and small wins against division/national league rivals matter for morale, youth development, and fan engagement.
Final Score & Key Stats
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Final Score | Braves 11, Nationals 5 |
| Braves’ Record After Game | 74-83; win streak extended to 9 games |
| Nationals’ Record After Game | 64-93 (or in that ballpark) |
| Ozzie Albies | Fractured left hamate bone; season over. He played in every game this season until injury. Batting average .240, 16 HR, 74 RBIs. |
| Standouts for Braves | Michael Harris II (3-for-5, 3 RBIs, a double, three stolen bases) led offense; Ronald Acuña Jr. homered; Marcell Ozuna, Drake Baldwin multiple hits. |
| Nationals Highlights | Nasim Nuñez and Dylan Crews hit solo home runs; Andrés Chaparro drove in three with a single. |
[Note: Images are collected from Instagram]
How the Game Unfolded — Nationals vs Braves Recap
Early dominance by Atlanta
- The Braves cracked open the game in a big third inning, sending 11 batters to the plate and scoring 5 runs, putting pressure on the Nationals early.
- Ronald Acuña Jr. added a solo homer to set mood and boost Braves’ run production.
Mid-game struggles by Washington
- Washington’s pitching faltered, especially with walks and control issues. MacKenzie Gore started but issued four walks in the third inning, contributing to the big Braves inning.
- Reliever Jackson Rutledge had trouble with control later, compounding the damage.
Albies’ injury moment
- The injury occurred when Albies fouled off a pitch in the third inning. He grimaced, tried to continue, but soon left the game, and was replaced by Nick Allen.
- The diagnosis: fractured hamate bone in left wrist. Season over.
Late-game & Nationals’ brief fight-back
- Washington got solo homers from Nasim Nuñez and Dylan Crews; Andrés Chaparro had a three-RBI single. But the deficit proved too large.
Player Spotlight — Ozzie Albies & Others
Ozzie Albies
- Albies has been a staple in the Braves’ lineup, started every game this season until the injury. (Reuters)
- His batting line: approx .240 AVG, 16 HRs, 74 RBIs. (Reuters)
- This hamate fracture is especially concerning because he had suffered similar wrist/hand issues in past seasons. The injury raises questions about durability and possibly the Braves’ decision on his contract option for 2026.
Other Braves to note
- Michael Harris II: Excellent offensive game — hitting, speed, situational hits.
- Ronald Acuña Jr. added power with a homer. (Battery Power)
Nationals bright spots, but too little
- Nasim Nuñez & Dylan Crews had solo shots — important for their development.
- Andrés Chaparro: delivered 3 RBIs with a single — a rare offensive uptick in a difficult season.
Tactical & Managerial Insights
- Braves offense cleanup: Big inning in the 3rd made the difference. Taking advantage of walks and issuing pressure through multiple hitters paid off.
- Nationals’ pitching woes: Control issues and walks proved costly. Even with moments of offense, inability to suppress damage in key frames hurts.
- Injury management: Once Albies felt something in the pendulum of a swing, the Braves didn’t allow risk. This suggests their medical and coaching staff is and must be cautious with veteran core.
Nationals vs Braves — Trends & Series History
- Recent matchups have been heavily in favor of the Braves. For example, their season-series record over the Nationals this year is strongly tilted toward Atlanta.
- Matt Olson has been particularly hot vs. the Nationals: home runs, extra-base hits, including a stretch of consecutive games with homers. (ESPN.com)
Implications — What This Means Going Forward
For the Braves
- With Albies done for the season, they will need to lean on their bench and possibly look at depth or free-agent options at second base.
- The end of the season may now be about evaluating young players and settling contracts (like Albies’ 2026 option) based on health and consistency.
- Keeping the winning streak alive matters for team morale, but with the postseason out of reach, framing the rest of the games as developmental and for pride seems likely.
For the Nationals
- They have few positives this season, but individual performances (like Chaparro, Nuñez, Crews) suggest some youth movement and potential building blocks.
- Pitching staff, particularly starters and bullpen control, will be a major off-season focus.
Advanced Metrics & Analytical Notes
- Walk rate & run creation: Nationals’ issuing of nine walks and allowing free baserunners has been a theme. That inflated Braves’ plate appearances and contributed to big innings. (The Washington Post)
- Albies’ offensive metrics: Probably lower than his career averages due to injury wear, but still contributed solidly; his counting stats (HR, RBIs) remain respectable.
- Braves team batting line vs Nats in recent series: Strong – high batting average in last 10 vs Nationals. (StatMuse)
Broader Context & Background
- Ozzie Albies has had injury issues in past seasons, especially wrist/hand injuries. This recent hamate fracture is a repeat of sorts — raises durability questions.
- The Nationals are in a rebuild / youth movement phase; many of their young players are being tested. Braves, on the other hand, though not playoff-bound this year, are focusing on evaluating roster and maintaining competitiveness.
FAQs Fans Search For
Q: What is the final score in Nationals vs Braves?
A: Braves beat Nationals 11-5 in the game where Albies got injured. (Reuters)
Q: What happened to Ozzie Albies?
A: He fractured his left hamate bone (wrist/hand area) fouling off a pitch vs. the Nationals. He will miss the rest of the 2025 season. (Reuters)
Q: What are Albies’ season stats?
A: Approximately .240 batting average, 16 home runs, 74 RBIs. He had played in all 157 games until the injury. (Reuters)
Q: How many consecutive wins do the Braves have vs Nationals?
A: The Braves are on a nine-game winning streak, including this 11-5 win. (Reuters)