Late rally from Washington spoils Angels lead in Los Angeles loss

Washington Nationals pitcher Will Dion tagged out Los Angeles Angels catcher Moises Ballesteros during a rundown at second base in the seventh inning on Friday. The rally by Washington in the bottom of the eighth inning ended the Los Angeles Angels' lead, resulting in a 4-3 loss for the Angels at Nationals Park. Mike Trout was the only Angels offensive player, hitting his first home run since August 10 after 27 game-less.

Washington Nationals' pitcher Yusei Kikuchi struggled throughout the game, limited to four innings and 88 pitches. Kikuchi allowed three hits, four walks, and struck out five. Christian Moore scored the Angels' first run in the top of the seventh inning, driving in Vaughn Grissom and putting the Angels ahead 2-1. However, Samy Natera Jr. struggled to maintain the Angels' lead, allowing back-to-back hits and eventually giving up the tying run in the bottom of the eighth.

Jorbit Vivas hit a sacrifice fly that tied the game at 2-2, but the Nationals took the lead in the top of the ninth inning. The Angels, led by Christian Moore's clutch double, managed to cut the deficit to 4-3, but failed to capitalize on their last chance, ultimately losing the game. The Angels will face Washington Nationals rookie sensation Walbert Ureña in the second game of the series.