CJ Abrams delivered a clutch two-run triple in the 11th inning. James Wood was intentionally walked four times, a feat only five others in MLB history have accomplished, as the Washington Nationals topped the Los Angeles Angels 7-4 on Sunday afternoon.
Daylen Lile led off the 11th with a single off reliever Connor Brogdon (1-1), moving automatic runner Brady House to third. Drew Miles followed with an RBI double to break the 4-4 tie. Abrams then cleared the bases with a triple to right-center, sealing Washington’s first series victory in Anaheim since their inaugural season as the Nationals in 2005.
Wood, one of baseball’s top prospects, went 1-for-2 before being intentionally walked in his subsequent four plate appearances. He joined an elite company that included Barry Bonds, the only player to receive four intentional passes in four separate games, and others like Roger Maris and Andre Dawson, who hold the record with five in one game.
Closer Kyle Finnegan (1-2) won after tossing three hitless innings in relief.
The Nationals tied the game in the ninth when Lile doubled off Nolan Schanuel’s glove at first base and advanced on a sacrifice bunt before scoring on Jacob Young’s RBI single off Angels closer Kenley Jansen. The blown save was Jansen’s first in 16 chances this season and denied Los Angeles a chance to climb above .500 for the first time since April 20.
Taylor Ward had three doubles and an RBI, opening the scoring for the Angels in the first off Nationals starter Mitchell Parker, who gave up three runs across five innings. Jack Kochanowicz started for Los Angeles, allowing early runs on doubles by House and Abrams.
Luis Rengifo tripled in the eighth and scored on a wild pitch by Jose A. Ferrer to give the Angels a temporary 4-3 lead.
Key Moment
Abrams’ triple in the 11th broke the tie and ensured the Nationals’ rare series win at Angel Stadium. Meanwhile, Wood’s four intentional walks underlined his growing reputation as a dangerous hitter, marking the first time a player had drawn that many since Bonds in 2004.
Key Stat
The Angels remain at .500 (40-40) after the late-inning collapse. Jansen’s blown save ended his perfect streak and halted the Angels’ chance at their first winning record in over two months.
Up Next
The Nationals return to Washington to begin a six-game homestand Tuesday, starting with a three-game set against Detroit. Starters for both teams have not been announced.
The Angels head to Atlanta to kick off a six-game road trip. They haven’t named a starter for Tuesday’s game against Braves rookie RHP Didier Fuentes (0-2, 10.80 ERA).
