CHICAGO (Interstat) — A pitching duel that stretched into extra innings ended Sunday with the Washington Nationals defeating the Chicago White Sox 2-1 in 10 innings at Guaranteed Rate Field.

The Nationals, who had dropped two of three in the series entering the day, improved to 13-16. The White Sox fell to 11-17 in front of an announced crowd of 24,259. The game lasted 2 hours, 27 minutes.

Washington broke a scoreless tie in the top of the 10th, scoring two runs. The White Sox answered with one in the bottom half but could not complete the comeback.

Neither team managed a run through the first nine innings. Washington’s four hits were matched by Chicago’s four, and both bullpens worked effectively to keep the game scoreless.

The Nationals took the lead in the 10th when Daylen Lile started the inning as the automatic runner on second base under the extra-innings rule. After Jorbit Vivas grounded out to first baseman Munetaka Murakami, Lile advanced to third. CJ Abrams followed with a sacrifice fly to left fielder Tanner Murray, scoring Lile to give Washington a 1-0 lead.

Jose Tena then stepped in as a pinch hitter and launched a solo home run to right-center field, his first of the season, making it 2-0.

The White Sox answered in the bottom of the 10th. With Derek Hill as the automatic runner at second, Drew Romo grounded out to the pitcher. Tristan Peters then singled to center field off reliever Paxton Schultz, scoring Hill to cut the deficit to 2-1. Chase Meidroth struck out swinging after a challenge confirmed the call, and Miguel Vargas struck out swinging to end the game.

Schultz earned his first save of the season, recording the final three outs. Richard Lovelady, who pitched a scoreless ninth inning, was credited with the win, improving to 2-1. Seranthony Dominguez took the loss, falling to 2-3.

The game featured strong pitching from both sides early. Washington starter Foster Griffin allowed three hits over five scoreless innings, walking one and striking out five. Chicago starter Sean Burke matched him, allowing two hits over 5 1/3 scoreless innings with three strikeouts and one walk.

The Nationals had a scoring opportunity in the ninth inning. With one out, Nasim Nunez singled and advanced to third on a flyout by Drew Millas. Chicago reliever Sean Newcomb intentionally walked James Wood, but Curtis Mead popped out and Daylen Lile popped out to end the inning.

Chicago also threatened in the ninth. With two outs, Everson Pereira singled, and after Colson Montgomery struck out, Washington intentionally walked Tanner Murray. Derek Hill struck out looking to send the game to extras.

The first eight innings saw little offensive production. Both teams stranded runners in scoring position but could not push a run across. Washington’s Jacob Young doubled in the second inning but was left stranded. Chicago got a single from Chase Meidroth in the first inning and a single from Tanner Murray in the second, but both were erased.

The only extra-base hit of the game was Young’s double and Tena’s home run.

Washington took a split of the four-game series, having lost the opener 5-4 on Friday and won 6-3 on Saturday. The Nationals had dropped four of five entering the series, including three of four to Atlanta at home.

The White Sox had won three of five before the series, including a road sweep of the Athletics.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Chicago White Sox 4, Washington Nationals 3. Interstat’s ELO system had projected the White Sox with a 50.40 percent probability to win. Chicago was installed as a pregame favorite with a spread of -1.5. The total score of 3 went over the over/under line of 8.5.