Nationals’ James Wood hits majors’ first inside-the-park grand slam since 2022

**Mets Nationals Baseball** New York Mets third baseman Brett Baty (7) watches Washington Nationals' James Wood head home on a inside-the-park grand slam during the second inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, May 19, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/John McDonnell)

**Mets Nationals Baseball** Washington Nationals' James Wood slides into home as New York Mets catcher Luis Torrens waits for the throw on an inside the park gland slam home run during the second inning of a baseball game Tuesday, May 19, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/John McDonnell)

**Mets Nationals Baseball** Washington Nationals' James Wood hits an inside the park grand slam home run during the second inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets, Tuesday, May 19, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/John McDonnell)

**Mets Nationals Baseball** Washington Nationals' Drew Millas, right, celebrates as the Nationals' James Wood slides into home on a inside the park grand slam home run during the second inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets, Tuesday, May 19, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/John McDonnell)

**APTOPIX Mets Nationals Baseball** Washington Nationals' James Wood leaps a over a ground ball on his way to second base during the first inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets, Tuesday, May 19, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/John McDonnell)

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WASHINGTON (AP) 鈥� It was only a matter of time before Washington Nationals outfielder James Wood hit a grand slam.

But an inside-the-park shot, like the one Wood smashed in Tuesday鈥檚 9-6 victory over the New York Mets?

鈥淚 didn鈥檛 think it would be like this,鈥� Wood said. 鈥淭hat was a fun way to get it.鈥�

Down 5-0, the Nationals loaded the bases with two outs in the second inning against Mets starter Nolan McLean. Wood hit a first-pitch sweeper to the opposite field, where it glanced off the leaping Nick Morabito鈥檚 arm and bounded into center.

鈥淲hen I saw that, I kind of just knew it was a full-on sprint home,鈥� the 23-year-old Wood said of his 53rd career home run. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 probably why my eyes got big.鈥�

Center fielder Tyrone Taylor braced himself before running into the wall before looking at Morabito, who pointed to the carom before giving chase himself.

鈥淗e lost track of the baseball,鈥� . 鈥淗e went after and then he didn鈥檛 know where the ball was. That鈥檚 a tough break there.鈥�

and slid headfirst across the plate well ahead of the throw for and 13th homer of the season.

It was the ninth inside-the-park grand slam in the majors since 1994. The previous one was hit by Toronto鈥檚 Raimel Tapia on July 22, 2022.

鈥淲hen they get over the fence, obviously I think James enjoys that more so he doesn鈥檛 have to run as hard or as far,鈥� first-year Nationals manager Blake Butera said. 鈥淏ut that was pretty cool. I think everyone was pretty fired up, talking some smack that he can鈥檛 hit it over the fence.鈥�

The Nationals have two inside-the-park grand slams since the franchise moved to Washington in 2005. Michael A. Taylor hit the other Sept. 8, 2017, at home against Philadelphia.

Three of the four inside-the-park grand slams this century were hit at Nationals Park. Philadelphia鈥檚 Aaron Altherr connected for one at Washington on Sept. 25, 2015.

Now, Wood has joined that small club.

鈥淚t鈥檚 probably the biggest smile I鈥檝e seen on his face since I鈥檝e gotten to know him,鈥� Butera said.

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