The San Francisco Giants simply took care of what they needed to do on Thursday getting the win over the Nationals.
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Two of Blanco’s hits were doubles, the first of which came in a four-run second inning during which the Giants tied a West Coast franchise record with four two-base hits. “He hit a couple of doubles, got a bunt down to move a runner and beat it out, stole a couple of bases and made a couple of nice catches”. Lopez, who got Harper to fly out to end the game, recorded his first save. But the Giants kept applying pressure after an early throttling of Max Scherzer, and their bullpen dazzled for the second consecutive night while protecting an 8-5 victory over the Washington Nationals at AT&T Park on Friday night. San Francisco’s bullpen has allowed three hits over 8 1/3 scoreless innings in the first two games of the series and might have an emerging star in rookie Josh Osich, who has yielded one earned run in his first 12 appearances. “I don’t want to say he’s ideal, but he was flawless in the leadoff spot for us”.
Vogelsong had a rough first inning, beginning the game with a lead off home run from Yunel Escobar, then walking three batters to load the bases. As for the Nationals, their slide continues as they have lost their third-straight game and now are 4.5 games back of the NL East leading New York Mets, who picked up their fourth win in a row. Cain is looking to bounce back from his start at Wrigley, where he gave up five runs on six hits and five walks over four innings against the Chicago Cubs. He struck out three and did not walk a batter.
Blanco’s hit drove in two runs and it was just one of several contributions on the night. 361 ended. He has hit solo homers in his last three games in San Francisco, including both in the playoffs.
Danny Espinosa led off the fifth with a home run off the top of the wall in left-center. He threw 31 pitches, 22 for strikes, and struck out two…. Kelly sent Posey home on Hunter Pence’s sharp single, and Harper’s throw to the plate arrived 10 feet ahead of the runner.
Catcher Andrew Susac (sprained right thumb), who also was appearing at San Jose, hit a home run estimated at 429 feet and will continue his rehab assignment there Saturday. “You figure this is going to be a close game, facing Strasburg”.
The club recalled outfielder Ryan Lollis from Triple-A Sacramento to help off the bench. Cain’s first pitch was a wheelhouse fastball, and Harper drove it into the arcade for his N.L.-best 30th home run this season.
Giants: RHP Jake Peavy (2-5, 3.75) is 2-3 with a 2.74 ERA since coming off the disabled list July 3.
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Harper sat out a game due to a sore left knee and returned and went 0 for 4 on Wednesday as his 10-game hitting streak in which he batted.
