A Masterful Start from the Mound
Andrew Alvarez anchored the Washington Nationals' pitching staff with a dominant seven-inning performance against the Los Angeles Angels on Saturday, September 12, 2026. The left-hander retired 14 of the first 20 batters he faced, allowing just one hit and striking out eight while walking four.
His efficiency kept the score tight early, allowing the Nationals to maintain a competitive stance despite the Angels' initial offensive surge. The game was played at Nationals Park in Washington, District of Columbia, drawing a crowd of 25,713 fans for the afternoon contest.
The Angels Strike First
The visiting Angels took an early lead, scoring their first run in the bottom of the first inning when Ortiz scored on a double by Abrams. They extended their advantage in the second inning, adding three more runs to take a 4-0 lead. Young singled to left to drive in Ruiz, and later Ortiz singled to right, scoring both Young and Wood.
The Angels' bullpen remained mostly intact through the middle innings, though they would face pressure later in the game. The Nationals managed only one run in the top of the eighth inning, with Trout scoring on a double by Meckler, narrowing the gap to 4-1.
A Late Rally and Overtime Finish
The Nationals mounted a significant rally in the top of the eighth inning, with Grissom hitting a 360-foot home run to left field that scored Meckler, bringing the score to 4-3. The momentum shifted decisively in the ninth inning. The Angels scored in the bottom of the ninth to tie the game at 4-4, with Peraza scoring on a double by Guzman.
