Joey Ortiz

It took every last inch for the Washington Nationals to hang on following a fantastic comeback against the Milwaukee Brewers.Washington appeared to be finished early in Saturday's game after starter Mitchell Parker allowed five runs in just two-thirds of an inning. But the young Nats chipped away to eventually stun the Brewers in the ninth when CJ Abrams blasted a go-ahead, two-run homer. The @Nationals have come back from a 5-0 deficit in Milwaukee.CJ Abrams delivers a go-ahead blast to the second deck. pic.twitter.com/iuWidJODAl MLB (@MLB) July 13, 2024 The Brewers refused to go quietly, though, getting the tying run to second in the bottom of the ninth against Nats closer Kyle Finnegan. Joey Ortiz then ripped what looked to be a game-tying double to right field until Lane Thomas made a fantastic catch at the wall to barely preserve a 6-5 Nationals win. lane thomas ... INSANE game-winning catch!!! pic.twitter.com/GwSa4bJNWL Washington Nationals (@Nationals) July 13, 2024 Thomas' grab consigned the reeling Brewers to a 4-8 mark in July and a third straight loss. The defeat also shrunk the Brewers' lead atop the NL Central to four games, the closest the division has been since late May.The Nats, meanwhile, have now won two in a row after stopping a five-game skid Friday. They'll now have a chance to sweep a road series for just the second time this season.Copyright © 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The versatile 25-year-old infielder had been sidelined since the beginning of July due to inflammation in his neck. He'll jump right back into the starting lineup, starting at third base and batting eighth against Jackson Rutledge and the Nationals on Friday evening in Milwaukee.

The Brewers reinstated Ortiz (neck) from the 10-day injured list Friday.

Ortiz has been on the IL with neck stiffness since July 3rd, but it sounds like he could be activated as soon as he's eligible on Friday or soon after. He should take over regular third base duties from Andruw Monasterio when he's activated.

Ortiz (neck) will begin a rehab assignment with High-A Wisconsin on Thursday, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.