Nationals win in extras
Daylen Lile's 10th-inning RBI single lifts Nationals over Orioles, 4-3
Daylen Lile delivered a go-ahead single in the 10th inning Saturday night, lifting the Washington Nationals over the Baltimore Orioles 4-3 at Camden Yards. The win ended Washington's four-game losing streak and pulled the team back to .500 at 42-42, keeping them in contention for a National League Wild Card spot.
Luis García Jr. was the offensive engine, going four-for-four with a 418-foot solo home run — his 14th of the season — hit at 114 mph off the bat. Foster Griffin dominated on the mound, throwing 112 pitches over seven innings with nine strikeouts, the most pitches by a Nationals starter since June 2022.
Lile's Clutch Single Breaks a Tense Tie
Washington entered the 10th inning tied 3-3. With automatic runner Dylan Crews placed on second base, Lile drove a single through the right side against Orioles closer Ryan Helsley, scoring Crews and giving the Nationals a 4-3 lead. Helsley fell to 0-4 on the season with the loss, according to Washington Post.
Manager Blake Butera praised his young outfielder after the game. "Daylen's such a good hitter," Butera said. "He's on a roll right now." Lile had also doubled in the second inning to start the Nationals' first rally of the night.
Baltimore's Eighth-Inning Rally Nearly Stole the Win
The Orioles looked finished down 3-1 entering the eighth. But Pete Alonso hit an RBI double to score Chadwick Tromp, cutting the lead to 3-2. Then pinch-hitter Samuel Basallo followed with a single to tie the game at 3-3 and send the crowd into a frenzy, according to The Star.
Baltimore's comeback fell short when Basallo came to the plate again in the 10th with two outs and the bases loaded. This time, he grounded out to end the game. Blaze Alexander's fielding and throwing errors in the sixth inning had gifted Washington an earlier unearned run — a costly mistake that loomed large in the final score.
New Closer Justin Lawrence Survives a Bases-Loaded Scare
Justin Lawrence made his Nationals debut in the 10th — and immediately made it dramatic. The right-hander, claimed off waivers from the Minnesota Twins just days earlier, walked Pete Alonso to load the bases with two outs. He came in with a 7.76 ERA, making his task look even more daunting, according to WRAL.
Lawrence held his nerve and got Basallo to ground out, earning his first save since 2024. Manager Butera said he would "keep giving the ball" to those who show they want it. The save likely moves Lawrence into a key late-inning role for a Nationals bullpen that has struggled all season.
Beltway Series Sits Even as Both Teams Eye the Future
The win evens the 2026 season series between the two rivals at 2-2. Baltimore falls to 39-44 and remains sub-.500, a difficult position made harder by injuries to star catcher Adley Rutschman and pitcher Zach Eflin. Despite the struggles, Orioles GM Mike Elias has hinted the team may still be buyers before the trade deadline, according to St. Albert Gazette.
Washington, by contrast, is riding new energy under 33-year-old manager Blake Butera, hired in late 2025. The Nationals collected 13 hits to Baltimore's seven on Saturday. With García hitting at an elite level and Griffin proving reliable as a starter, Washington has reasons to believe this win is more than a one-night reset.
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