The Washington Nationals had an opportunity Sunday to leave the Bay Area with a series victory over the San Francisco Giants, a potential postseason opponent they are battling for the second-best record in the National League.
Advertisement
Taking advantage of a left-righty matchup, Bochy chose pitcher Madison Bumgarner as the pinch hitter.
All of Washington’s runs came off Giants starter Jeff Samardzija (9-7).
Angel Pagan then hit a potential double-play grounder right at Nationals second baseman Trea Turner, but his backhand flip pulled shortstop Danny Espinosa off the base, allowing Gillaspie to score.
Bryce Harper singled off of George Kontos leading off the sixth inning and scored on a double by Rendon, ending both the no-hitter and shutout.
“It’s been a long road for him, dealing with the injuries, the surgery”, Bochy said.
“That was great for me to make that mistake there”, he said.
But new leadoff man Eduardo Nuez provided another jolt, hitting a two-run double in the fourth inning to kickstart a comeback from a three-run deficit.
Scherzer (11-6) had lost four of his five career starts against the Giants and a no-decision in Game 4 of the 2012 World Series before holding San Francisco to one run over seven innings.
“We struggled all year in Minneapolis”, Nuez said. Ryan Zimmermann singled to left but Rendon did not advance to third, perhaps faked out when Williamson raised his glove as if to make a catch.
Nationals: 2B Daniel Murphy was held out of the lineup a day after he left the game with left leg tightness – the same side in which his hamstring has nagged him for much of this month.
The four-time All-Star retired 14 of the final 16 batters he faced and finished with six strikeouts and two walks. He walked four but struck out six to tightrope his way out of any jams. “You turn the page”.
Nationals manager Dusty Baker didn’t have Felipe Rivero because, prior to the first pitch, the Pirates had acquired the hard-throwing left-hander in a deal for All-Star closer Mark Melancon. That’s good news for a Giants team that not only needs his physical presence in right field and the middle of the lineup, but his spiritual presence as well.
The Giants gave their bullpen an insurance run in the seventh when Pagan singled in Denard Span, who had an inning-opening triple as a pinch-hitter.
“I was sacked up when I got hit”.
He received a roaring ovation when introduced before the game and again when he took his spot in right field before first pitch, and the outfielder acknowledged the greeting by nodding his head and saying thanks.
Devon Travis homered for Toronto, which moved back to the AL East summit for the first time since they won the opening two games of the season.
Advertisement
Gio Gonzalez turned in another solid performance, but faulty defense and lackluster offense sunk the Washington Nationals Sunday afternoon in San Francisco. Nunez had a long flight to San Francisco from Baltimore, where his former team, the Minnesota Twins had been playing, and he didn’t arrive until shortly before game time and missed batting practice.
