The Washington Nationals secured a 7-4 extra-inning victory over the Los Angeles Angels on Sunday afternoon, clinching a rare series win at Angel Stadium, their first in Anaheim since relocating from Montreal in 2005. The game was marked by CJ Abrams’ go-ahead two-run triple in the 11th inning and an unusual display of caution from the Angels’ pitching staff toward James Wood, who was intentionally walked four times.
Daylen Lile opened the 11th inning with a single off Angels reliever Connor Brogdon. The hit advanced the advanced automatic runner Brady House to third base. Drew Miles followed with a double that brought in the go-ahead run. Moments later, Abrams delivered a two-run triple to deep right-center field, pushing Washington’s lead to 7-4 and putting the game out of reach.
Despite Wood going 1-for-2 in the contest, the rookie outfielder made history by becoming only the sixth player in Major League Baseball history to be intentionally walked four times in a single game. The last player to receive four intentional walks in one game was Barry Bonds, who accomplished the feat four times in 2004.
Kyle Finnegan earned the win in relief, improving to 1-2 on the season, after delivering three hitless innings from the ninth through the 11th. Finnegan kept the game tied in the ninth and tenth, giving the Nationals a chance to rally.
The Nationals, who entered the game as narrow underdogs with betting odds around +110, overcame multiple late-inning deficits. Lile contributed another crucial hit in the ninth, doubling off the glove of first baseman Nolan Schanuel. After a successful sacrifice bunt from Miles moved Lile to third, Jacob Young delivered an RBI single to tie the game at 4-4 against Angels closer Kenley Jansen. It marked Jansen’s first blown save in 16 opportunities this season.
Los Angeles jumped ahead early when Taylor Ward recorded an RBI double in the first inning off Nationals starter Mitchell Parker. Washington responded in the middle innings with run-producing hits from House and Luis García Jr. to take a 2-1 lead.
The Angels briefly regained the lead in the sixth when Christian Moore singled in a run following an RBI single from Jo Adell. After Abrams tied the game at 3-3 with an RBI double in the seventh, Luis Rengifo put the Angels ahead again by scoring on a wild pitch in the eighth inning.
Parker allowed three runs on five hits over five innings for Washington, while rookie Jack Kochanowicz allowed two runs over four innings for Los Angeles.
With the loss, the Angels missed a chance to climb above the .500 mark for the first time since April 20. The Nationals, meanwhile, improved their road record as they head home for a six-game stretch beginning Tuesday against the Detroit Tigers.
The Angels will travel to Atlanta for a series against the Braves beginning Tuesday. The Angels have yet to name a starter, while Atlanta is expected to start rookie right-hander Didier Fuentes (0-2, 10.80 ERA).
