Gonzalez is 3-3 with a 3.33 ERA in nine career starts against San Francisco. Maybe Eduardo Nunez will reincarnate Cody Ross and Marco Scutaro.
Advertisement
The runners from first and third took off, so Zimmerman stepped on first for out number two and threw to third, to record out number three, giving the Nationals the unique, first-of-its-kind triple play and major league history.
Pence was activated and played for the first time since June 1; he had surgery June 9 to remove a torn tendon in his right hamstring. “He’s one of our guys”.
11 of the Washington Nationals is congratulated by teammates in the dugout after scoring a run against the San Francisco Giants during the second inning at AT&T Park on Friday in San Francisco, California.
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. However, he made certain Nunez shared the spotlight – he doubled off the wall during his first at-bat of the game.
The Giants, who had only won two games out of 13 since the All-Star break went into the game knowing that a loss, combined with a victory by the Los Angeles Dodgers against Arizona, would bring the two teams level on win-loss record, but instead both results went their way and San Francisco re-established a two-game break.
“There’s no secret he’s our emotional, spiritual, whatever you want to go with, leader”, catcher Buster Posey said. “He’s definitely a big boost”.
Nationals starter Reynaldo Lopez, promoted from Triple-A Syracuse earlier in the day, also went only four innings. The 31-year-old earned a win over Cincinnati on Tuesday despite allowing four runs on six hits – two homers – and a walk in 5 1/3 frames. Panik flied out, Blanco struck out and Nuñez baptized himself as a Giant by popping up with the bases loaded. 139 (19 for 137) in that department since the All-Star break.
Miami’s Ichiro Suzuki remained at 2,998 career hits, going 0 for 2 after entering the game as a defensive replacement in the sixth inning. The second scored after Oliver Perez loaded the bases with a walk and Blake Treinen followed with another walk to plate Hunter Pence. He gave up three runs on four hits and five walks.
It remains to be seen whether the Nationals will make a move for a bullpen arm at the deadline, but something will eventually have to give because we can’t expect historic triple plays to come along too often.
Samardzija said gap shots by Wilson Ramos in the fourth and Daniel Murphy in the fifth proved to be his undoing, but otherwise felt a lot better about getting on the right path and the team getting on the right path as well. Baker said doctors have identified Stephen Drew’s dizziness issue. “He’s a better hitter than me”. Span suffered a quadriceps injury beating out an infield hit on Friday. Bochy wasn’t sure whether he would be ready to start by Sunday’s series finale….
The Giants designated for assignment infielder Ramiro Pena to clear roster room for Pence’s return.
Advertisement
Nationals: LHP Gio Gonzalez (6-8) tries to win his third straight decision. San Francisco managed to pull out a 5-3 win over Washington on Saturday after totaling four runs in the previous three games – all losses.
