Washington Nationals End Losing Streak, Beat Los Angeles Angels

After returning from a six game road trip with no wins to show for it and amassing a seven game losing streak through September, the Washington Nationals ended the slide in the first game back at home. And after officially setting the MLB record for the most blown saves in a season, the Nationals' late game heroics were the difference at Nationals Park on Friday night.

The Nationals opened the three game series against the Los Angeles Angels with a 4-3 win thanks to three runs in the bottom of the eighth inning.

Clayton Beeter picked up the win while CJ Abrams, drawing the start back at shortstop, recorded the lone multi-hit game after going 2-for-4 with one run and strikeout to break out of his second half slump. Cade Cavalli dazzled in his latest start after giving up a pair of earned runs and three hits while tossing nine strikeouts across six innings.

The first of two runs allowed materialized in the first inning after Mike Trout took a 93 mph cutter 416 feet for the game's first run, but the Nationals would answer back in the fourth inning after Harry Ford and Jorbit Vivas drew consecutive walks. That set up James Wood for an RBI single into left field to bring in Washington's first run of the night.

Cavalli's night ended in disappointing fashion after walking his first two batters faced then giving up an RBI single, putting the Angels back ahead, 2-1, as manager Blake Butera turned to Will Dion to close out the frame.

Yet Washington's comeback eighth inning was made possible after Brady House drew a nine pitch at bat that resulted in a walk, leading CJ Abrams to get on base courtesy of a single before a bunt from Dylan Crews loaded the bases. Andrew Pinckney, who was called up after Nasim Nunez was placed on the bereavement list, then brought in the tying run on a sac fly before a bases clearing double from Jorbit Vivas delivered the game winning runs.

Erik Tolman allowed a two out run in the ninth inning to cut the Nationals' lead in half, but a fly out ended the game as the recently promoted pitcher picked up the save.

The two teams are set to meet on Saturday afternoon in game two of the series with Andrew Alvarez set to take the mound for the start and first pitch set for 4:05 PM.