Alvarez shines, Nats beat Angels 6-5 despite another bullpen collapse

By: Ian Nicholas Quillen, The Associated Press Posted: 6:32 PM CDT Saturday, Sep. 12, 2026

WASHINGTON (AP) — Andrew Alvarez pitched seven innings of one-hit ball and the Washington Nationals earned a 6-5, 10-inning victory over the Los Angeles Angels on Saturday when CJ Abrams scored on an error despite another bullpen collapse.

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Andrés Chaparro’s single off Ben Joyce tied it in the ninth. Abrams scored against José Fermín (4-3) when shortstop Zach Neto could not handle Harry Ford’s grounder with the infield in.

Before that, the Angels rallied to a 5-4 lead while handing Washington’s bullpen an MLB record-extending 39th blown save. Vaughn Grissom connected for a two-run homer during a three-run eighth against Brad Lord, and Wade Meckler, Denzer Guzman and Moisés Ballesteros also had RBIs.

Washington Nationals pitcher Andrew Alvarez throws during the second inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Jack Sinclair (1-0) retired four batters for his first career win.

Washington’s Abimelec Ortiz hit a two-run single during a three-run second. Jacob Young and Keibert Ruiz also drove in runs to help Washington to a 4-0 lead that Alvarez held as he departed.

Los Angeles sank to 4-14 in extra innings games this season.

Alvarez struck out a career-best eight batters — including three-time MVP Mike Trout twice — while working around four walks and Jose Siri’s sixth-inning double inside the left-field line.

The 27-year-old threw 61 of 97 pitches for strikes in his 20th and longest career start, retiring 13 of the last 14 batters he faced.