The Washington Nationals came back from two runs down to defeat the Los Angeles Angels 6-5 on Sunday, September 13, at Nationals Park, finishing off a nine-inning comeback with a four-run eighth inning that turned a deficit into a victory. Erik Tolman earned the win out of the bullpen, Jack Sinclair closed it out for the save, and four Nationals hitters — James Wood, CJ Abrams, Yohandy Morales, and Daylen Lile — each went 2-for-4 to power a lineup that refused to quit against an Angels staff that saw starter Grayson Rodriguez exit after 5.1 innings before the bullpen gave up four runs in a single frame.

Nationals Rally From Two-Run Deficit to Defeat Angels 6-5

Washington trailed by two runs heading into the late innings, a hole deepened by the Angels' early scoring, with starter Grayson Rodriguez throwing 5.1 innings and allowing two earned runs on seven hits and a walk. Rodriguez allowed seven hits across 5.1 innings — a high contact rate — while limiting the damage to two earned runs, exiting with Washington still trailing.

The turning point arrived in the eighth inning, when the Nationals sent the lineup against reliever Luke Murphy and did not let up. Murphy allowed four hits and a walk in a single inning of work, surrendering four earned runs — the decisive damage that erased the lead the Angels had carried into the eighth. That four-run explosion off Murphy was the difference, flipping a 5-2 deficit into a lead Washington would not relinquish.

Tolman and Sinclair Steady the Nationals Bullpen

On the mound, starter Jake Irvin gave the Nationals five innings of work, striking out six but allowing three earned runs on two hits and four walks. It was enough of a foundation, but the bullpen had to be better — and it was.

Riley Cornelio was excellent in two innings of relief, punching out four batters while yielding just one hit and no earned runs. Erik Tolman followed with a perfect inning — two strikeouts, no hits, one walk — and was rewarded with the win. Jack Sinclair came on for the ninth, allowing one earned run on one hit but striking out one and securing the save to lock up the final margin.

Wood, Abrams, Morales, and Lile Each Deliver Multi-Hit Games

When a team wins a comeback game, it rarely traces back to one player, and Sunday's result at Nationals Park was a true collective effort at the plate. Consider the box score:

  • James Wood: 2-for-4, 0 RBI
  • CJ Abrams: 2-for-4, 0 RBI
  • Yohandy Morales: 2-for-4, 1 RBI
  • Daylen Lile: 2-for-4, 1 RBI

Four different starters, four multi-hit performances. Wood and Abrams set the table repeatedly without putting up RBI numbers, while Morales and Lile delivered the run-scoring hits that made the comeback real. It was the kind of lineup depth that produces runs in bunches, and on Sunday the Nationals had it.

Angels Get Production From Neto and Ballesteros But Can't Hold Lead

Los Angeles got home run contributions from Zach Neto — one home run, one RBI on 1-for-4 — and Moisés Ballesteros, who went 1-for-2 with a home run and two RBI. Those two swings accounted for the power that gave the Angels a lead they carried deep into the game. But once Murphy gave it back in the eighth, there was no recovering.

Sammy Peralta finished the Angels' bullpen effort with two strikeouts across 0.2 innings, but the damage from Murphy's frame proved insurmountable.

What's Next for Washington

The Nationals take Sunday's win into their next series on the back of four multi-hit efforts and a bullpen that held the Angels scoreless across two of the final three innings. In a game that required overcoming a two-run deficit, Washington showed the ability to grind through adversity and still produce. The road ahead continues in the 2026 regular season, and Sunday's result is exactly the kind of game a club needs on its side this time of year.