O's closer Zach Britton allows first ER in 43 appearances in win over Nats

WASHINGTON -- Baltimore closer Zach Britton saw his remarkable streak of 43 straight games without allowing an earned run end, then shut down a ninth-inning rally to help the Orioles hold off the Washington Nationals 10-8 Wednesday night.

The Nationals scored five times in the ninth, one of them charged to Britton. But after his own mistake helped Washington put runners on first and second with one out, Britton got Ryan Zimmerman to ground into a game-ending double play.

Manny Machado and Matt Wieters each homered and drove in four runs for the AL wild card-contending Orioles. Baltimore has beaten the NL East leaders three straight times this week.

Daniel Murphy hit a grand slam for the Nationals in the ninth, making it 10-7 and bringing Britton into the game with one out in a non-save situation.

Wade Miley (8-10) allowed two runs on seven hits in five-plus innings. Tanner Roark (13-7) gave up five runs in five innings and hit three batters.

Orioles reliever Parker Bridwell began the ninth with 10-3 lead. The Nats quickly rallied, and he left after Murphy's first career slam.

Britton, who leads the AL with 38 saves, took over and Bryce Harper met him with a single. Anthony Rendon followed with an RBI double, marking the first run off Britton since April 30.

Wilson Ramos was next up, and he hit a comebacker to Britton. Rather than take a sure out at first base with a two-run lead, Britton tried to trap Rendon off second base and his throw was too late.

The comeback fell short when Zimmerman hit a sharp grounder on the first pitch.

Machado had four hits, his 29th homer and a pair of RBI singles. He improved to .397 in his career against the Nationals.

Wieters hit a three-run homer and forced in a run when he was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded.

Roark needed 62 pitches to get through two innings and hit three of the first 14 batters he faced.

The Orioles scored five times in the eighth for a 10-3 lead. Wieters hit his 11th homer, a drive to center field off Blake Treinen.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Orioles: OF Joey Rickard is set to see the doctor Sept. 2 to determine how his right thumb ligament injury is progressing. Manager Buck Showalter hopes Rickard will be back before the end of the season. ... LHP Brian Duensing (left elbow inflammation) threw seven pitches in an inning in the Gulf Coast League, Showalter said.

Nationals: INF Stephen Drew saw an inner ear specialist to get a shot in his ear, according to team broadcaster MASN. He has been out since late July with vertigo.

HARPER HOLDS MEDALS

Harper became Katie Ledecky's medal holder while the swimmer threw out the ceremonial first pitch. Ledecky, who won one silver and four gold medals at the Rio Olympics, handed them to Harper before throwing to reliever Shawn Kelley.

TURN, TURN, TURN

With his single in the seventh, Trea Turner tied the Montreal Expos/Nationals franchise record with hits in eight consecutive plate appearances. Andre Dawson and Dmitri Young remained in the record books when Turner struck out in the ninth to finish his day 4 for 5.

UP NEXT

With Chris Tillman on the disabled list, the Orioles turn to RHP Ubaldo Jimenez (5-10, 6.94 ERA) to make his first start since July 28. He'll face Nationals RHP Max Scherzer (13-7, 3.05).