Nationals break out of scoring slump, beat Giants 4-2 behind Lord and Wood

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Brad Lord pitched six effective innings to earn his first career victory as a starter, and the Washington Nationals beat the San Francisco Giants 4-2 on Saturday.

James Wood, Paul DeJong and Josh Bell homered for the Nationals, shut out in their previous two games. Wood's leadoff shot was his first homer in a month.

Rafael Devers went deep for the second consecutive day and Dominic Smith doubled for the Giants to extend his hitting streak to 13 games, the longest active run in the majors.

Lord (3-6), whose previous two wins came in relief, allowed one run and four hits. The 25-year-old rookie pitched around traffic much of the day in his third major league start and finished with five strikeouts and two walks.

Konnor Pilkington retired three batters and Jose A. Ferrer got five outs for his second career save and first this season.

Wood drove Carson Whisenhunt’s third pitch over the center-field fence for his team-leading 25th home run and first since July 9. He added an RBI double that made it 4-0 in the sixth.

DeJong and Bell connected for back-to-back homers off Whisenhunt in the third.

Whisenhunt (1-1) allowed three runs and three hits in four innings. San Francisco's top pitching prospect had five strikeouts and three walks.

Devers homered in the sixth and Wilmer Flores had a sacrifice fly in the eighth for the Giants.

Ferrer struck out Matt Chapman swinging with two on to end the eighth.

All three home runs off Whisenhunt came on sinkers, his most effective pitch this season.

Giants RHP Justin Verlander (1-8, 4.29 ERA) faces struggling All-Star MacKenzie Gore (4-12, 4.29) in the series finale Sunday.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB

Washington Nationals' James Wood (29) and CJ Abrams (5) walk up the tunnel before a baseball game against the San Francisco Giants, Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025, in West Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Scott Marshall)

San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Carson Whisenhunt throws to a Washington Nationals batter during the first inning of a baseball game Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025, in West Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Scott Marshall)

Washington Nationals' Brady House celebrates after his double against the San Francisco Giants during the first inning of a baseball game Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025, in West Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Scott Marshall)

Washington Nationals' James Wood jogs around the bases after hitting a solo home run during the first inning of a baseball game against the San Francisco Giants, Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025, in West Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Scott Marshall)

Washington Nationals starting pitcher Brad Lord throws to an San Francisco Giants batter during the first inning of a baseball game Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025, in West Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Scott Marshall)

KOHALA, Hawai‘i--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan 15, 2026--

Kuleana Rum Works, the Hawai‘i-based distillery known for its additive-free, award-winning rums, today announced the release of “An Open Letter on Additive-Free Rum,” written by Founder & CEO Steve Jefferson, addressing why rum is now facing the same scrutiny and market shift that reshaped tequila a decade ago.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260107792953/en/

Consumers across spirits are demanding more honesty about how products are made. Additive-free labeling has already transformed tequila and is reshaping whiskey and RTDs. Drinkers now expect producers to protect natural flavor instead of masking it, and bartenders increasingly use transparency as a measure of quality. The letter positions rum as the next category entering this accountability cycle, as more consumers begin to question undisclosed sweeteners, flavorings and added color.

Tequila provides the clearest precedent. Producers who embraced additive-free methods helped premiumize the category, while brands relying on undisclosed additives now face growing skepticism. According to the letter, rum is approaching the same turning point. Jefferson explains that Kuleana Rum Works was founded on additive-free principles: growing heirloom Hawaiian kō (sugarcane), fermenting and distilling fresh juice at lower proof to preserve natural character, adding nothing after distillation and holding all blending partners to the same standards. Every rum — whether distilled in Hawai‘i or sourced — is verified additive-free through independent lab testing and supplier documentation.

“Consumer expectations are changing fast across spirits,” said Steve Jefferson, Founder and CEO of Kuleana Rum Works. “People want honesty in what they drink, and they’re rewarding producers who protect natural flavor rather than covering it up. Additive-free isn’t a trend — it’s becoming the standard, and rum is now facing that shift head-on.”

Additional detail in the letter underscores how production choices such as fresh juice fermentation, low-proof distillation and a strict no-additives policy create transparency and flavor integrity that align with what the market is valuing.

About Kuleana Rum Works

Founded on the island of Hawai‘i in 2013, Kuleana Rum Works crafts award-winning, additive-free rums — led by its signature Hawaiian Rum Agricole® — from fresh kō (heirloom Hawaiian sugarcane) grown on its regenerative Kohala farm. Now available in 17 states and Japan, Kuleana Rum Works champions excellence, transparency and community stewardship. Visit kuleanarum.com to learn more.

https://kuleanarum.com/additive-free/