On the same day he announced his participation in the 2025 Home Run Derby, Washington Nationals outfielder James Wood delivered a career performance, going 5-for-5 in Thursday night’s 11–7 victory over the Detroit Tigers.
The 22-year-old started his night with a single in the first inning off Tigers starter Dietrich Enns, then followed with a two-run homer in the second inning — his 23rd of the season, tying him for fifth-most in MLB.
Enns, coming off an impressive return to the majors with a scoreless outing in his last start, struggled this time, giving up eight runs (seven earned) in four innings, including a three-run homer to Paul DeJong in the first.
Wood kept rolling with an RBI single in the fourth, though he was thrown out stretching for a double. He then led off the sixth with another single off Bailey Horn, and capped the night with his fifth hit in the eighth off Carlos Hernández.
Wood is the third confirmed participant in the Home Run Derby. His performance Thursday lifted his batting average to .294, sixth-best in the majors. He also ranks among the league leaders with a .395 on-base percentage, .563 slugging, and a .958 OPS — all third-best in MLB.
Last Sunday, Wood’s rising profile was underscored when the Los Angeles Angels intentionally walked him four times in a single game — a rare feat last accomplished 21 years ago. He’s now one of just five players since 1955 to receive that many intentional walks in a game, joining names like Barry Bonds and Manny Ramirez.
Although he wasn’t voted in as a National League starter for the 2025 All-Star Game, Wood is a strong candidate to be named as a reserve when selections are announced July 6.
