Nationals get strong outing from Griffin, hold off late Brewers rally to win 3-1

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Foster Griffin didn’t allow a hit through five innings and hot-hitting James Wood drove in a pair of runs as the Washington Nationals held off the Brewers 3-1 on Saturday night, handing Milwaukee its fourth consecutive loss.

Griffin held the Brewers hitless until a lead-off single by Joey Ortiz, Milwaukee’s No. 9 hitter, in the sixth. Milwaukee eventually loaded the bases in the inning but came up empty when pinch-hitter Jake Bauers grounded out against Brad Lord, who relieved Griffin.

Griffin (2-0), who returned to the majors this year after spending three seasons in Japan, pitched 5 1/3 shutout innings, giving up one hit. He struck out one and walked three in the 80-pitch outing.

Lord and Cionel Perez pitched 2 2/3 scoreless innings before turning it over to Clayton Beeter, who notched his second save in three tries but had to pitch out of trouble. After surrendering a lead-off homer in the ninth to William Contreras, Christian Yelich struck out swinging on a wild pitch and ended up at second. The Brewers eventually loaded the bases with two outs before Ortiz grounded out to the mound to end it.

The teams were locked in a scoreless battle until the fifth when Wood, who had four hits, including two doubles, in Washington’s win on Friday night, lined a two-run double off Milwaukee starter Kyle Harrison (1-1).

Harrison’s outing got off to a scary start when, while facing lead-off batter Wood, he landed awkwardly while covering first base and trying to field an errant throw from first baseman Gary Sánchez. Harrison came up limping and had an extended visit from Brewers medical staff but remained in the game and retired the next three batters, stranding Wood.

Harrison lasted 4 1/3 innings, giving up four hits and two runs while walking one and striking out one.

Keibert Ruiz's run-scoring double in the ninth pushed the Nationals lead to 3-0.

Washington’s Zack Littell (0-1, 3.60 ERA) and Milwaukee’s Brandon Woodruff (1-0, 5.91) start Sunday in a matchup of right-handers.

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

Milwaukee Brewers' William Contreras rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Saturday, April 11, 2026, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)

Washington Nationals' Clayton Beeter pitches during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers, Saturday, April 11, 2026, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)

Washington Nationals' Keibert Ruiz, left, claps after hitting an RBI double during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers, Saturday, April 11, 2026, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)

Washington Nationals' Foster Griffin walks to the dugout after being taken out during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers, Saturday, April 11, 2026, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)

WINNIPEG, Manitoba (AP) — Sean Couturier had two goals and an assist and Noah Cates added a short-handed goal and two assists to lead the Philadelphia Flyers to a 7-1 win over the Winnipeg Jets on Saturday night.

Porter Martone, Matvei Michkov, Travis Sanheim and Nick Seeler also scored for the Flyers (40-27-12), winners of four of their last five games. Michkov added an assist, and Rasmus Ristolainen finished with two assists. Dan Vladar had 27 saves.

Hadyn Fleury scored for the Jets (35-31-12), who entered the game with a three-game winning streak and victories in five of their last six games to keep their playoff hopes alive. Jonathan Toews extended his point streak to three games with an assist, giving him four points over that stretch.

Connor Hellebuyck, who made his 20th start in the last 22 games, allowed five goals on 20 shots before being replaced for the third period. Eric Comrie allowed goals on his first two shots against and finished with one save.

With the victory, the Flyers complete a two-game series sweep of the Jets. Philadelphia earned a 5-2 win on home ice back in October.

Philadelphia earned a valuable two points to maintain its grip on third place in the Metropolitan Division and remain in the hunt for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

Winnipeg is trying to secure the final wild-card playoff spot in the Western Conference. With just three games remaining, its hopes for a spot in the postseason remain slim.

Flyers: Host the Carolina Hurricanes on Monday

Jets: Visit the Vegas Golden Knights on Monday.

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

Winnipeg Jets' Jonathan Toews (19) digs for the rebound as Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Dan Vladar (80) saves the shot and Jamie Drysdale (9) defends during second period NHL action in Winnipeg, Saturday, April 11, 2026. (John Woods/The Canadian Press via AP)

Winnipeg Jets' Jacob Bryson (78) and Philadelphia Flyers' Noah Cates (27) collide during second period NHL action in Winnipeg, Saturday, April 11, 2026. (John Woods/The Canadian Press via AP)

Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Dan Vladar (80) makes a save against the Winnipeg Jets during second period NHL action in Winnipeg, Saturday, April 11, 2026. (John Woods/The Canadian Press via AP)

Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Dan Vladar (80) saves the shot from Winnipeg Jets' Dylan Samberg (54) during second period NHL action in Winnipeg, Saturday, April 11, 2026. (John Woods/The Canadian Press via AP)

Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (37) is scored on as Philadelphia Flyers' Christian Dvorak (22) looks on during second period NHL action in Winnipeg, Saturday, April 11, 2026. (John Woods/The Canadian Press via AP)