The Los Angeles Angels dropped a gut-punch 6-5 decision to the Washington Nationals in ten innings on Saturday, September 12, 2026, at Nationals Park. Washington completed a one-run comeback walk-off to close it out, handing the Angels a loss that stings for all the right reasons — this one was winnable. Vaughn Grissom's solo home run was the lone highlight from the Angels' offensive box score, and the bullpen couldn't protect a lead when it mattered most. The Angels lose a game they had every opportunity to take.

Angels Starter Walbert Ureña Battles Through Six Innings

Walbert Ureña took the hill for Los Angeles and gave the club a chance, going six innings while striking out seven. But it cost him: he allowed nine hits and four earned runs, leaving the Angels in a position where the offense needed to carry the load. It's a line that reads better in strikeouts than it does in baserunners allowed, and Washington's lineup took full advantage of the traffic Ureña created.

Vaughn Grissom Provides the Lone Angels Highlight

Grissom's home run was the signature moment for the Angels on Saturday. He went 1-for-5 with the homer and two RBI, providing the kind of pop Los Angeles needed but couldn't sustain as a group. Outside of Grissom, the Angels' offense couldn't generate enough against a Nationals pitching staff that was led by Andrew Alvarez's remarkable seven-inning gem.

Andrew Alvarez Dominates, Washington Bullpen Finishes the Job

Alvarez was the story of the night for Washington. The Nationals lefty went seven full innings, allowing just one hit while walking four and striking out eight — a performance that held the Angels to just one hit over seven innings. With that kind of effort from their starter, the Nationals' bullpen only needed to navigate three innings. Brad Lord handled the eighth but surrendered three earned runs on two hits, briefly giving the Angels life. Will Dion followed and allowed two more earned runs in two-thirds of an inning before Jack Sinclair came on and closed out the win, pitching 1.1 scoreless innings to earn the victory.

The Turning Point: Extra Innings and a Walk-Off

The Angels sent Ben Joyce out for the tenth inning, and he gave up one earned run on one hit with a walk in one inning of work — enough for the Nationals to complete the comeback. José Fermin took the loss after recording just one out in the tenth, issuing a walk that contributed to Washington's game-winning rally. Washington's Abimelec Ortiz went 2-for-2 with two RBI, CJ Abrams collected two hits and an RBI in five at-bats, and Keibert Ruiz was a perfect 3-for-4 — a Nationals trio that combined for 7-for-11 with three RBI — production the Angels could not match when it counted.

Key Performances at a Glance

Angels

  • Vaughn Grissom: 1-for-5, 1 HR, 2 RBI
  • Walbert Ureña (SP): 6.0 IP, 9 H, 4 ER, 7 K, 2 BB
  • Blake Weiman: 2.0 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 1 K
  • Ben Joyce: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 1 K, 1 BB
  • José Fermin (L): 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 1 BB

Nationals

  • Andrew Alvarez (SP): 7.0 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 8 K, 4 BB
  • Keibert Ruiz: 3-for-4
  • CJ Abrams: 2-for-5, 1 RBI
  • Abimelec Ortiz: 2-for-2, 2 RBI
  • Jack Sinclair (W): 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 1 K

What's Next for the Angels

The Angels remain on the road and will need to regroup quickly. Losses in extra innings with a one-run margin are the kind that linger, especially when the opposing starter held them to one hit over seven innings. Los Angeles will look to its pitching staff and a more consistent offensive performance to bounce back in the next game of the series.