Written by Megan Taylor, sports reporter covering international sports since 2020

Travis Bazzana Curtis Mead history has been made in Major League Baseball, with the two Australians starting against each other as Cleveland Guardians hosted Washington Nationals this week.

Baseball Australia said the series marked the first time in 16 years that two Australian players had faced off in starting line-ups for a major league game.

For more baseball coverage, read Travis Bazzana home run helps Cleveland Guardians beat Philadelphia Phillies.

Mead leads Nationals charge

Washington Nationals won the first two games of the away series, beating Cleveland Guardians 10-2 and 6-3.

Mead, playing third base for Washington Nationals, hit two home runs in the series opener and was denied another in game two when Cleveland Guardians centre fielder Daniel Schneemann made a sharp catch at the wall.

Bazzana, batting leadoff and playing second base for Cleveland Guardians, had two hits across the series and drove in two runs with a ninth-inning single in game two.

The matchup carries extra weight for Australian baseball. Bazzana became the first Australian taken with the No.1 pick in the MLB draft in 2024 and made his major league debut late last month.

Nationals stay hot on the road

James Wood helped Washington Nationals take control on Tuesday, hitting a two-run homer as part of a strong second inning.

Wood’s 401-foot shot was his 15th home run of the season and his second in as many days. He leads the majors with 49 runs and sits third with 29 extra-base hits.

Cade Cavalli struck out seven across six innings, allowing one run on five hits. Mitchell Parker finished the game and earned his first save of the season.

Washington Nationals have won four straight and improved to 29-27, while Cleveland Guardians remain top of the American League Central despite the back-to-back defeats.

Fans can follow the full MLB schedule through the official MLB website.