Zack Littell Struggles, Washington Nationals Fall 8-6 vs. Braves

The Washington Nationals once again failed to notch consecutive wins at Nationals Park as the Atlanta Braves took game three in an 8-6 finish on Wednesday night. Zack Littell struggled in the start after allowing four home runs, six earned runs and seven hits while tossing just one strikeout in six innings. He entered the night allowing a league-leading 11 home runs to begin the 2026 season, marking a concerning start for the latest veteran free agent signing in the starting rotation.

The good news is James Wood belted another home run, this time a 413 foot home run into left field to sail over the Braves bullpen, while finishing 2-for-3 in the loss. He joined Daylen Lile, who also homered for the third time in five games, and Jacob Young as the only other Nationals to record multi-hit games on Wednesday. Zack Littell has allowed 9 HRs in 20 innings as a National.

Not ideal. — Grant Paulsen (@GrantPaulsen) April 22, 2026 The first home run allowed came in the first inning after Atlanta opened with a two out 391 foot home run to take an early 1-0 lead, but Washington would answer right back in the bottom of the inning with Lile's three run 407 foot home run giving the Nationals their first lead. Jacob Young would then reach base on an infield single on the net at bat before an RBI double pushed an early 4-1 lead.

Atlanta answered right back in the second inning after four of the first five batters reached base, including a two-run shot, to set up Robert Acuna Jr with a sac fly to tie the game at four. A solo home run in the third gave Atlanta the lead right back before Littell gave up a 376 foot home run in the fourth inning, putting Washington in an 8-4 deficit. The Nationals offense would get hot in the sixth after both Joey Wiemer and James Wood belted solo home runs, cutting the deficit in half, but that would be the closest they would get.