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Nationals Edge Reds 5-3 as Cavalli Records Sixth Quality Start

8/8/2026

Summary

Cavalli Delivers Win

The Washington Nationals beat the Cincinnati Reds 5-3 on Friday, August 8, 2026, at Nationals Park.
Right-hander Cade Cavalli (9-5) threw six-plus innings, gave up three solo homers, struck out eight and earned his sixth straight quality start.
Daylen Lile’s 15th home run and Harry Ford’s two-run drive gave Washington a 3-0 lead.
Elly de la Cruz posted his third straight 20/20 season, the third Reds player ever to reach that mark.

Summary

Francona Bullpen Start

Terry Francona announced a bullpen-only start on Friday after moving Hunter Greene to the 15-day injured list.
Chase Petty, formerly a starter, was placed in the rotation to open the game.
Julian Garcia surrendered a two-run homer that kept Washington ahead.
Cincinnati claimed right-hander Ron Marinaccio off waivers and added Chase Solesky, who was optioned to Triple-A Louisville.

Summary

Nationals Rain Delay

The Nationals posted to http://nationals.com/rain and to text “AUG7” to 91347 after the pitch was delayed to 7:45 p.m. when a rain-tarp covered the infield.
Rain-delay rules keep tickets valid and require play to resume from the same spot.
Meteorologist Jordan Evans warned thunderstorms could produce damaging wind gusts up to 65 mph.
Both clubs, out of postseason contention, used the delay to protect arms, expecting shorter outings and more bullpen use.

History

Historical Context

MLB has required umpires to wait at least 75 minutes before declaring a rain-delay under Rule 3.10, a practice that grew from early-season suspensions such as the June 12, 1975 Mets stoppage. The standardized pause, now a 30-minute limit, still shapes bullpen use, as seen on August 8, 2026 when a rain delay forced the Nationals-Reds game to rely on relievers Cade Cavalli and Elly de Cruz.

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Cavalli Delivers Win

The Washington Nationals beat the Cincinnati Reds 5-3 on Friday, August 8, 2026, at Nationals Park.
Right-hander Cade Cavalli (9-5) threw six-plus innings, gave up three solo homers, struck out eight and earned his sixth straight quality start.
Daylen Lile’s 15th home run and Harry Ford’s two-run drive gave Washington a 3-0 lead.
Elly de la Cruz posted his third straight 20/20 season, the third Reds player ever to reach that mark.

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