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

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.

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.

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.

Previously, Alvarez carried a no-hitter into the fifth inning of his MLB debut on Sept. 1, 2025 against Miami.

Angels right-hander Grayson Rodriguez (4-7, 6.28 ERA) faces Nats righty Jake Irvin (2-9, 5.52).

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

Washington Nationals' Keibert Ruiz, center, slides home to score on a single by Jacob Young against Los Angeles Angels catcher Tyler Heineman (31) during the second inning of a baseball game, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

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

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)

MIAMI (AP) — Graham Pauley hit a two-run homer, Griffin Conine and Otto Lopez both reached four times and the Miami Marlins overcame an early deficit to beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 4-3 on Saturday afternoon.

The win snapped a four-game skid for the Marlins and ended a season-high eight-game win streak for the NL West-leading Dodgers, who still have a comfortable division lead over second-place San Diego.

Lopez had two hits and reached on a hit-by-pitch and a walk. Conine singled twice, doubled and walked for the Marlins, who are third in the NL East.

The Marlins pulled within one in the ninth against closer Pete Fairbanks. Josue De Paula drew a two-out, four-pitch walk, advanced on defensive indifference and scored on Hunter Feduccia's single to make it 4-3. Fairbanks then retired pinch-hitter Will Smith on a line out for his 19th save.

Pauley's drive to right-center against Tyler Glasnow (4-1) tied it 2-2 in the second before Lopez's go-ahead RBI single. Glasnow allowed four runs, five hits and struck out seven over four innings.

The Dodgers took an early 2-0 lead on back-to-back home runs by Mookie Betts and Max Muncy in the first but were limited to just two hits the rest of the game.

Betts drove a 2-2 splitter from Tyler Phillips 399 feet to left-center for his 20th homer of the season. Muncy connected on a 1-1 sinker for his 28th.

Phillips struck out three and walked three over 3 2/3 innings before being lifted in the fourth at 68 pitches. Cade Gibson (4-1) got four outs in 1 1/3 innings of relief for the win.

Esteury Ruiz replaced Owen Caissie in the third after the right fielder left with right hamstring tightness after drawing a walk and scoring on Pauley's homer.

Dodgers RHP Emmet Sheehan (5-8, 5.08) will start Sunday's series finale against Marlins RHP Eury Pérez (7-11, 3.94).

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Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Tyler Glasnow (31) stands on the mound with the bases loaded during the first inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Miami Marlins' Otto Lopez (6) follows through on a RBI single to score Heriberto Hernández during the second inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Los Angeles Dodgers' Mookie Betts (50) is met by Max Muncy (13) after hitting also home run during the first inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Miami Marlins starting pitcher Tyler Phillips throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Miami Marlins' Graham Pauley runs the bases after hitting a two run home run during the second inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)