BALTIMORE (Interstat) — The Baltimore Orioles used a two-run fourth inning and an insurance run in the seventh to defeat the Washington Nationals 3-1 on Friday night at Oriole Park at Camden Yards, snapping a three-game losing streak in front of 26,901 fans in a game that lasted 2 hours, 34 minutes.

Left-hander Trevor Rogers delivered a strong start, allowing one run on five hits over 6 1/3 innings while striking out seven to earn his fifth win of the season against seven losses. Ryan Helsley pitched a perfect ninth inning with one strikeout for his eighth save. Washington starter Andrew Alvarez took the loss, falling to 1-1 after giving up three runs — two earned — on seven hits over five innings.

The Nationals struck first in the top of the fifth inning. Jacob Young led off with a double down the left-field line, his ninth of the season. After Nasim Nuñez struck out on a foul tip, Keibert Ruiz singled to center, scoring Young and tying the game 1-1. James Wood then struck out swinging to end the inning.

Baltimore had taken the lead in the bottom of the fourth. Coby Mayo doubled to center field, and Tyler O’Neill walked. After Samuel Basallo lined out and Leody Taveras struck out, Jackson Holliday walked to load the bases. Blaze Alexander then lined a sharp single to left field, driving in Mayo and O’Neill to give the Orioles a 2-0 lead. Taylor Ward followed with a single that advanced Holliday to third and Alexander was thrown out at third by right fielder James Wood.

The Orioles extended their lead in the seventh. Taylor Ward singled to start the inning, then advanced to second on a strikeout by Gunnar Henderson. Pete Alonso walked, bringing up Mayo, who doubled sharply to left field, scoring Ward and pushing Alonso to third. Tyler O’Neill struck out and Basallo struck out to end the inning, but Baltimore held a 3-1 advantage.

Washington threatened early but could not capitalize. In the fourth inning, Wood doubled and Curtis Mead reached on a single deflected by second baseman Jackson Holliday, putting runners at second and third with no outs. Andrés Chaparro grounded into a fielder’s choice that cut down Wood at home, and CJ Abrams popped out on the infield fly rule before Dylan Crews grounded out sharply to end the inning.

The Nationals had five hits in the game, including doubles by Wood and Young, and a single by Ruiz. Baltimore finished with eight hits, led by Taylor Ward’s three singles. Coby Mayo had two doubles and drove in two runs, while Blaze Alexander had a key two-run single. O’Neill walked twice and had a double in the second inning, but was left stranded after a caught stealing ended the inning.

Washington’s defense made a critical play in the fourth to prevent further damage, with Wood throwing out Alexander at third on Ward’s single. The Nationals also turned a double play in the third inning when Jacob Young reached on an error by Henderson but Nuñez grounded into a 6-4-3 double play.

Baltimore’s bullpen was effective after Rogers departed. Tyler Wells pitched 2/3 of a scoreless inning, allowing no hits. Grant Wolfram struck out two in a perfect eighth inning, and Helsley closed the door in the ninth, allowing only a groundout and two strikeouts.

The Nationals fell to 41-42 on the season, while the Orioles improved to 39-44. Washington had lost three straight coming into the game, all to the Philadelphia Phillies, while Baltimore had dropped three in a row before Friday, with all three losses coming in Los Angeles against the Angels.

The series continues Saturday with the second of three games between the teams. Washington will travel to Boston next week for a three-game set, while Baltimore will host the Chicago White Sox.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Washington 5, Baltimore 4. Interstat’s ELO system had given Baltimore a 56.60 percent probability to win. The Orioles were installed as a pregame favorite with a spread of minus-1.5. The total score of four went over the over-under line of nine.