Vivas' 4-hit night backs Alvarez as Nats win in extras

ST. LOUIS -- After the Nationals watched their lead disappear in the ninth inning, Jorbit Vivas wasted little time giving it right back.

Vivas lined an RBI single in the 10th inning to score the automatic runner and give Washington a 4-3 lead. It was Vivas’ fourth hit of the night, capping a performance in which he also scored a run.

But the most damaging blow came an inning later when the Nationals rallied to score four runs in the 11th inning, securing an 8-5 victory over the Cardinals on Saturday night at Busch Stadium.

Washington had led nearly the entire night after James Wood opened the game with a single and Daylen Lile followed by crushing a cutter a Statcast-projected 404 feet to center field, giving the Nationals a 2-0 lead before St. Louis recorded an out.

That early support was plenty for Andrew Alvarez, who delivered six scoreless innings, scattering five hits and one walk while striking out eight. Seven of his eight strikeouts came on his curveball.

The Nationals carried a 3-0 lead into the seventh before St. Louis scored twice to pull within one. Washington remained ahead until the ninth, when the Cardinals pushed across the tying run to send the game to extras.