Nationals Pitcher Mikolas Allows Club-Record 11 Earned Runs in Home Opener Loss

Dodgers hit four home runs off Mikolas, who struggled in his second outing with the Nationals

Apr. 3, 2026 at 8:10pm

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A cubist-style painting featuring overlapping geometric shapes and planes in bright colors, representing a baseball game with a pitcher, batter, and home run ball in motion.A fractured, cubist depiction of the Nationals' home opener loss, capturing the chaotic energy of the game through bold, geometric shapes and colors.Washington Today

In the Washington Nationals' home opener against the Los Angeles Dodgers, starting pitcher Miles Mikolas allowed a club-record 11 earned runs, with nine coming on four home runs hit by Freddie Freeman, Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, and Andy Pages. The Nationals lost the game 13-6, disappointing the home crowd at Nationals Park.

Why it matters

Mikolas was brought in by the Nationals this offseason to help fill gaps in their pitching staff as the team continues to rebuild. However, his disastrous outing highlights the challenges the Nationals face in developing their pitching at both the major and minor league levels.

The details

Mikolas struggled from the start, allowing home runs to Ohtani, Betts, and Pages in the third and fourth innings. Freeman then hit a fifth-inning homer that landed just inside the foul pole. In total, Mikolas gave up 11 earned runs, the most ever by a Nationals pitcher in a single game. The Nationals did score six runs, including a three-run homer by CJ Abrams in the first inning, but the Dodgers' offensive onslaught proved too much to overcome.

  • The game was the Washington Nationals' home opener on Friday, April 3, 2026.
  • Mikolas allowed the 11 earned runs in his second outing with the Nationals.

The players

Miles Mikolas

A 37-year-old right-handed pitcher who the Nationals signed to a one-year, $2.25 million deal this offseason to help fill gaps in their pitching staff.

Freddie Freeman

The Dodgers' star first baseman who hit a fifth-inning home run off Mikolas.

Shohei Ohtani

The Dodgers' two-way star who hit a three-run home run off Mikolas in the third inning.

Mookie Betts

The Dodgers' All-Star outfielder who hit a two-run home run off Mikolas in the third inning.

CJ Abrams

The Nationals' young shortstop who hit a three-run home run in the first inning to give the Nationals an early lead.

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What’s next

The Nationals will look to bounce back in the next game of the series against the Dodgers on Saturday.

The takeaway

This game highlighted the continued challenges the Nationals face in rebuilding their pitching staff, as they work to develop young talent while also relying on veteran free agent signings like Mikolas to fill gaps. The team's focus on analytics and pitching priorities will be crucial as they work to improve their performance on the mound.