Luis Garcia Jr. homer helps rescue Nationals from Mariners comeback attempt

Luis Garcia Jr. hit a tie-breaking two-run homer in the fifth inning and the Nationals defeated the Seattle Mariners 8-3 on Saturday in Washington.

CJ Abrams had three hits, drove in two runs and scored twice for Washington, which had lost two straight.

Starter Cade Cavalli (4-4) picked up the win, allowing three runs on four hits over five innings. He struck out five batters without a walk.

Colt Emerson homered for the second straight game for Seattle, which has lost three of four.

Luis Castillo (2-6) gave up five runs (two earned) on seven hits in 5 2/3 innings.

Seattle's Randy Arozarena, who left Friday's game with a left hamstring strain, was out of the lineup and is day-to-day, according to manager Dan Wilson.

The Nationals jumped on top with three unearned runs in the first. Garcia reached on a throwing error by first baseman Josh Naylor and moved to second when Curtis Mead grounded out. Abrams singled, scoring Garcia, and Abrams scored on a triple by Daylen Lile. Dylan Crews lined a single to left and Washington led 3-0.

Cavalli cruised into the fifth before Seattle rallied. Dominic Canzone was hit by a pitch. Miles Mastrobuoni grounded into a force out and took second on a throwing error. Mitch Garver singled Mastrobuoni home and Emerson followed with a homer to tie it.

Washington quickly regained the lead when James Wood singled and Garcia followed with a homer to right.

Seattle loaded the bases with two outs in the seventh inning before Richard Lovelady retired Naylor on a fly to center.

In the bottom of the seventh, pinch-hitter Andres Chaparro doubled. Mead walked and Abrams singled, scoring Chaparro. After Mead was thrown out at home on a Crews grounder, Eduard Bazardo tried to pick off Crews at first but his throw was wild and Abrams scored from third. With Crews running, Jose Tena singled to center and Crews came all the way around and beat the throw home to make it 8-3.

--Field Level Media