KANSAS CITY -- Daylen Lile showcased an ability to come through in the clutch on Wednesday.

After the Nationals had surrendered an early five-run lead, Lile snapped a ninth-inning tie with a two-out RBI single off Royals’ closer Carlos Estévez to give Washington an 8-7 victory over the Royals at Kauffman Stadium.

The Royals had all the momentum entering the ninth, but the Nationals snatched it away thanks primarily to Lile.

With runners at first and third, Lile drove a 1-1 pitch to right for the go-ahead run and then Jose Ferrer held off the Royals in the bottom of the inning as Washington avoided a series sweep.

A grand slam by Nathaniel Lowe in the first had helped stake the Nationals to a quick 5-0 lead before the Royals began a persistent comeback that enabled them to tie the

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