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KANSAS CITY, Mo. — \u2014 Daylen Lile\u2019s two-out, ninth-inning single boosted the Washington Nationals<\/a> over the Kansas City Royals<\/a> 8-7 on Wednesday.<\/p>\n After the Royals tied the game in the eighth, Luis Garc\u00eda Jr. doubled, then scored on Lile’s single to right for the lead.<\/p>\n Jose A. Ferrer (4-3) recorded four outs for the win. Carlos Est\u00e9vez (4-5) took the loss after allowing one run on two hits and a walk in the ninth.<\/p>\n The Nationals took a five-run lead in the first, highlighted by Nathaniel Lowe\u2019s grand slam.<\/p>\n Royals starter Seth Lugo<\/a> surrendered seven runs on six hits over four innings. The five runs in the first was his most since an eight-run fourth inning against the Dodgers on Aug. 7, 2023.<\/p>\n CJ Abrams<\/a> hit his 16th homer leading off the fourth for a 7-3 Nationals lead.<\/p>\n The Royals chipped away with two runs in the first and one in the second before Vinnie Pasquantino\u2019s three-run homer cut the Nationals lead to 7-6. Bobby Witt Jr<\/a>. hit an eighth-inning sacrifice fly to tie the game.<\/p>\n Pasquantino has three homers and 11 RBI in his last four games.<\/p>\n Nationals starter Jake Irvin<\/a> allowed six runs on seven hits and four walks in four innings.<\/p>\n Kansas City hitters were 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position against five Washington relievers.<\/p>\n The third of four Royals relievers, Luinder Avila<\/a> made his major league debut pitching a hitless eighth.<\/p>\n Pinch-runner Tyler Tolbert<\/a> stole second and third before scoring on Witt\u2019s game-tying eighth-inning sacrifice fly.<\/p>\n Since inking a two-year contract extension<\/a> July 28, Lugo has allowed 18 earned runs in 18 1\/3 innings while failing to get through six innings in four starts.<\/p>\n Nationals: RHP Brad Lord<\/a> (3-6, 3.28 ERA) takes the mound in Washington against the Phillies.<\/p>\n Royals: LHP Noah Cameron<\/a> (6-5, 2.52) opens a homestand Friday against White Sox RHP Aaron Civale<\/a> (3-7, 4.91).<\/p>\n ——<\/p>\n