The Los Angeles Angels were up 2-1 heading into the bottom of the eighth inning on Friday, looking good for a road win, but a massive three-run rally from the Washington Nationals absolutely spoiled the vibe, handing the Angels a brutal 4-3 loss. Talk about a gut punch when you’re that close to closing it out. Mike Trout had finally broken his home run drought earlier in the game, but that magic faded fast.
Kikuchi Fought Hard, But the Bullpen Fell Apart
Let’s give credit where it’s due, Yusei Kikuchi had a tough season, but he’s been battling back hard since coming off the injured list with shoulder inflammation. His last start was six scoreless innings against Pittsburgh, with six strikeouts! On Friday, he wasn’t quite as sharp, walking two batters in the first and racking up his pitch count early. That limited his day to just four innings and 88 pitches. In those four innings, he gave up three hits, walked four, and struck out five. The Nationals did get an earned run off him in the fourth when James Wood chopped a ground ball that scored Harry Ford, who Kikuchi had walked. But still, the damage was limited, and the Angels were still in it.
Late Game Drama Was Electric, But Not Enough
The Angels’ offense finally broke through again in the seventh. Christian Moore, after failing to get a bunt down with two runners on, decided to just swing away. Good call! He singled into left field, driving in Vaughn Grissom and putting the Angels up 2-1. That lead held until the bottom of the eighth when Samy Natera Jr. took the mound. Natera Jr. has been a high-leverage hero for the Angels in the second half, but Friday night was a nightmare. He walked Brady House to start the inning, then gave up back-to-back hits to load the bases. Andrew Pinckney then hit a sacrifice fly to score CJ Abrams, tying the game 2-2. Then came the dagger: Jorbit Vivas doubled down the right field line, clearing the bases and putting the Nationals ahead 4-2. The Angels weren’t done, though. Down to their last batter with two outs in the top of the ninth, Moore ripped a fly ball that hit off the very top of the right-center field wall, just inches away from a game-tying home run. He had to settle for a double, driving in Oswald Peraza to cut the score to 4-3. But that was it. Kyren Paris flew out, and the rally was over.
What a brutal way to lose! The Angels need to shake this off fast. They’re back on the field Saturday, September 12, for the second game of the series, with rookie sensation Walbert Ureña taking the mound. Can they bounce back and even the series after a gut-punch like that? You know we’ll be watching every pitch.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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