Jorbit Vivas hit a tiebreaking two-run double during a three-run eighth inning as the Washington Nationals rallied to beat the Los Angeles Angels 4-3 on Friday night.
Andrew Pinckney tied the game with a pinch-hit sacrifice fly before Vivas put Washington ahead. The late comeback ended the Nationals’ seven-game losing streak after the Angels had carried a 2-1 lead into the bottom of the eighth.
Mike Trout homered for the first time in more than a month for Los Angeles. Christian Moore drove in two runs, including one on a ninth-inning double that nearly tied the game before Washington held on.
Trout Ends Home Run Drought
The Angels took an early lead behind Trout, who ended a stretch of 27 consecutive games without a home run.
Trout had not homered since Aug. 10 against Texas. He changed that in the first inning against Washington starter Cade Cavalli.
The veteran outfielder connected for a solo homer that put Los Angeles ahead 1-0.
Cavalli recovered and prevented the Angels from adding to their lead over the next several innings.
Washington answered in the fourth.
The Nationals drew two walks to put runners on first and second. With two outs, James Wood delivered an RBI single that tied the score at 1-1.
The game remained even through the sixth as both teams struggled to create another scoring opportunity.
Moore Puts Angels Back in Front
Los Angeles regained the lead in the seventh after Cavalli lost command at the start of the inning.
The Washington right-hander walked the first two batters he faced.
Moore followed with an RBI single to left field, bringing home the go-ahead run and giving the Angels a 2-1 advantage.
The hit also ended Cavalli’s night.
He allowed two runs on three hits and two walks over six-plus innings. Cavalli struck out nine while keeping Washington within one run.
The Nationals turned to their bullpen and prevented Los Angeles from extending its advantage.
Clayton Beeter eventually earned the win in relief, improving to 6-5.
Nationals Load Bases in Eighth
Washington’s offense came to life against Samy Natera Jr. in the bottom of the eighth.
The Nationals opened the inning with a walk and a single, immediately putting pressure on the Angels reliever.
Dylan Crews then attempted a bunt.
Natera fielded the ball but turned toward third base, where he did not have a play. Crews reached safely with a bunt single, loading the bases.
Yohandy Morales followed with a ground ball to shortstop.
Zach Neto chose to throw home rather than attempt a double play up the middle. The Angels recorded the force at the plate and kept their 2-1 lead for the moment.
Washington still had the bases loaded and only one out.
That set up Pinckney, who had recently returned to the Nationals after the club placed infielder Nasim Nuñez on the bereavement list.
Pinckney lifted a fly ball deep enough to bring home the tying run.
Vivas Delivers Decisive Double
With the score tied at 2-2, Washington still had an opportunity to take its first lead.
Vivas came through with the biggest hit of the night.
He sent a fly ball toward the right-field corner. The ball dropped safely and resulted in a two-run double.
Both runners scored, turning the Angels’ one-run advantage into a 4-2 Washington lead.
The three-run inning changed the game after Los Angeles had stayed in front for much of the night.
Natera took the loss and fell to 1-2.
Washington needed only three outs to end its seven-game skid, but the Angels made one final push in the ninth.
Moore Nearly Ties Game in Ninth
Erik Tolman entered to protect Washington’s two-run lead.
Los Angeles cut the deficit in half when Moore drove a ball deep toward the right-center-field wall.
The hit came close to clearing the fence for a game-tying home run. Instead, it remained in the park for an RBI double.
The Angels were suddenly within one run at 4-3.
Tolman still had to record the final out.
Los Angeles sent pinch-hitter Kyren Paris to the plate with a chance to extend the game.
Tolman got Paris to hit a fly ball for the final out, securing his second save of the season.
The Nationals escaped with the one-run win and ended their seven-game losing streak.
Late Rally Decides Close Game
Washington’s eighth inning proved decisive after the teams played a tight game for most of the night.
Trout’s first-inning homer gave Los Angeles an immediate lead, but Wood’s two-out single tied the game in the fourth.
Moore then put the Angels back in front with his seventh-inning RBI single.
Los Angeles carried that lead into the eighth before Washington loaded the bases and changed the game.
The Angels initially prevented a run when Neto threw home on Morales’ grounder. Pinckney followed with the sacrifice fly, however, and Vivas drove in two more runs.
Moore gave Los Angeles another opportunity in the ninth with his deep RBI double. He finished with two run-scoring hits and played a central role in both of the Angels’ late rallies.
The final comeback stopped there.
Tolman retired Paris and protected the lead, allowing Washington to close out its first win after seven consecutive losses.
Up Nex
The series continues Saturday in Washington.
Angels right-hander Walbert Ureña is scheduled to start with a 9-10 record and a 2.74 ERA.
The Nationals will counter with left-hander Andrew Alvarez, who enters the matchup at 2-6 with a 3.60 ERA.