Orioles top Nationals in 12th after blowing two late leads

Field Level Media|published: Wed 8th May, 22:41 2024

May 8, 2024; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Nationals catcher Keibert Ruiz (20) throws out Baltimore Orioles third base Jordan Westburg (11) at home during the second inning at Nationals Park. credits: Rafael Suanes-USA TODAY Sports

Jorge Mateo singled home the go-ahead run in the 12th inning and the visiting Baltimore Orioles beat the Washington Nationals 7-6 on Wednesday night after blowing two-run leads in the ninth and 11th innings.

Mateo led off with a single against Jordan Weems (1-1) that scored Jordan Westburg. Mateo ended up on third via two Washington throwing errors on the play and scored on a wild pitch to make it 7-5.

Albert Suarez (2-0) pitched two innings for the win and Jacob Webb picked up his second save of the season despite allowing Luis Garcia, Jr.'s run-scoring double in the 12th.

Ryan Mountcastle hit a two-run homer off Hunter Harvey in the top of the 11th to give the Orioles a 5-3 lead.

In the bottom half, Eddie Rosario walked with one out. Ildemaro Vargas smacked a ground-rule double, scoring automatic runner Joey Meneses but forcing Rosario to stop at third. Jacob Young flied to medium right and Rosario beat the throw home to tie it 5-5.

Baltimore closer Craig Kimbrel couldn't protect a 3-1 lead in the ninth and was lifted with two outs after allowing a solo homer to Rosario followed by two walks. Keegan Akin came on and threw a wild pitch, allowing pinch runner Nasim Nunez to advance to third. CJ Abrams singled to right, scoring Nunez to tie it.

Anthony Santander and Gunnar Henderson also homered for Baltimore.

Baltimore starter Kyle Bradish gave up one run on four hits over five innings. He struck out nine and walked two, leaving after 90 pitches.

Nationals starter Mitchell Parker allowed two runs on five hits over 5 2/3 innings.

Meneses walked leading off the bottom of the second and Ruiz singled. With one out, Trey Lipscomb hit a single to center, scoring Meneses to make it 1-0.

Santander tied it 1-1 when he homered — his sixth of the year — to left with two outs in the fourth.

Baltimore took a 2-1 lead when Henderson led off the sixth inning with a home run to right-center off Parker. It was Henderson's 11th of the year.

Westburg doubled leading off the seventh and was bunted to third by Mateo. Robert Garcia came on and got Colton Cowser to fly out to left, but Westburg beat Jesse Winker's throw and the Baltimore lead was 3-1.

—Field Level Media

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