The Washington Nationals were responsible for turning this historic triple play during Friday’s 4-1 win against the Giants. He hit it on the screws and we saw what happened after that. Thank goodness we had a Giants ballgame to slow everything down.
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In both of the Giants scoring rallies, in the second and the ninth, they managed to load the bases with less than two outs but could only manage a single run in each frame.
After snaring Crawford’s liner, Zimmerman ran to the first base bag for the second out against advancing runner Buster Posey, then threw to third base to nail Denard Span, who had broken for home on Crawford’s shot. Gregor Blanco hit a bases-loaded grounder to third, and Anthony Rendon’s throw to second was dropped. Zimmerman, once a stellar third baseman, had to move across the diamond a few years back because of throwing issues, but he made a ideal strike to third. “Then Tony was jumping up and down with a smile on his face so I just tossed the ball over to him”.
And just judging by the numbers, San Francisco got a pretty productive player in exchange for minor league pitcher Adalberto Mejia.
It was the first 3-3-5 triple play in history, according to Sabr.org, and alos the first Baker has ever seen as a player or manager. The Nationals are 1-5 in their last six games versus the Giants in San Francisco and have lost four of five to tonight’s opponent overall. The right-hander allowed eight hits and three runs with three strikeouts and two walks. Samardzija (9-7) was staked to an early 1-0 lead in the second inning, but a golden chance to expand on it was squandered in the third, and once Scherzer settled into a groove, better opportunities would not come along against him.
Nationals manager Dusty Baker announced Friday he’d be pairing Lopez with someone with whom he’s quite familiar. Johnny Cueto gave up five singles in the second, and three of them came with two strikes, including one to.098 hitting pitcher Tanner Roark.
In a clubhouse that was on the losing end for the 11th time in 13 games since the All-Star break, Nunez said he’s ready to accept any role.
San Francisco scored a run in the ninth to pull within 4-2 before Kelley struck out Angel Pagan with the bases loaded to end it and get his fifth save. After seven suffocating innings from Washington starter and victor Max Scherzer (11-6), San Francisco got into the Nationals’ shaky bullpen in the eighth trailing and quickly put the tying runs on base when Span beat out a bunt single against left-hander Oliver Perez and Angel Pagan followed with a single to left. “Put your big boy trousers on, be ready to go tomorrow and keep fighting”. “That’s all you can do”.
Werth earlier had walked, extending his streak of reaching base at least once to 32 consecutive games.
In the third game of a four-day series between National League division leaders, each team will be counting upon a pitcher who has done little or nothing to help get his team to the top of the pack.
All of Washington’s runs came off Giants starter Jeff Samardzija (9-7).
Daniel Murphy made it a two-run inning and a 3-1 game with an RBI triple off the wall near the 421-foot marker in right-center field.
Osich was placed on the disabled list retroactive to July 24 with a left forearm strain.
For the second time this season, the Nationals are recalling right-hander Reynaldo Lopez from Triple-A Syracuse to start against a playoff contender.
The Giants optioned outfielder Jarrett Parker to Triple-A Sacramento to make room for Nunez on the roster.
Duffy, meanwhile, ran the bases for the first time Thursday, will do so again Friday, and if he passes those tests, will begin a rehab stint this weekend.
The 35-year-old Peavy will be making his 14th career start against the Nationals, the first having come 14 years ago when the club was known as the Montreal Expos. Doing so may result in civil and/or criminal penalties.
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But the Giants still see a clear need for even more reinforcements, hence their acquisition of All-Star infielder Eduardo Nunez from the Minnesota Twins on Thursday, and general manager Bobby Evans said the club isn t done hunting.
