What can you say about a game where the Washington Nationals hitters could only scratch out four singles against a starter that entered the game with an ERA near 6.00?
Not much.
The San Francisco Giants, offensively challenged themselves, broke a 24-inning scoring drought, pushing four across against Livan Hernandez in the fifth inning, securing a 4-2 win before 27,981 at soggy AT&T Park.
The loss is the Nats' eighth in the last 11 games, and evens their record at 23-23.
The Giants rally started with two outs in the fifth. Hernandez had been cruising up to that point, allowing just two hits and striking our four over four and two-thirds innings. But he allowed a bloop single to Giants starter Todd Wellemeyer--a career .135 hitter--and the floodgates opened.
Well, not exactly the floodgates. More like a dam that sprung a bunch of tiny leaks.
Single to center. Single to left on a ball down and away. Single to right. Double to center.
Just like that, four runs in, all that Wellemeyer would need to beat the Nats on this night.
"I lost a game in a very stupid way," Hernandez told reporters after the game. "Two outs, I have the game right there and I lose it."
The veteran starter was hard on himself in the post-game, but it's a tough go of it when your offense provides so little support.
Wellemeyer didn't do anything particularly spectacular agaisnt the Nats. He only struck out two batters, and walked just one. But he kept the Nats to just four singles, three in succession to start the seventh inning, when the Nats scored their two runs.
The heart of the order, Ryan Zimmerman, Adam Dunn and Josh Willingham all singled off Wellemeyer, with Willingham's hit driving in Zimmerman, leaving runners at first and second with no outs in the seventh inning.
Giants manager Bruce Bochy called on reliever Sergio Romo, and the fireballing right hander got Roger Bernadina to fly out to right, which moved Dunn up 90 feet. He scored on Ian Desmond's sacrifice fly to center field, and Wil Nieves bounced into a fielder's choice to end the inning.
Two on, no outs. One run on a pair of outs.
It's a tough way to start a ten-game road trip, especially considering the next two games are against two-time reigning NL Cy Young winner Tim Lincecum (5-0, 2.35) and the resurgent Barry Zito (6-2, 2.80).
NATS NOTES: The top of the order, Nyjer Morgan and Cristian Guzman went a combined 0-for-8.
Bernadina was hit by Wellemeyer in the leg in the second inning. He was picked off two pitches later.
Tyler Walker, Sean Burnett and Miguel Batista threw three innings of shutout ball, allowing just two hits and one walk, all against Walker.
Giants closer Brian Wilson struck out the side in the ninth for his 11th save of the season.
The Giants have won 12 of the last 14 meetings with the Nationals.
Luis Atilano (3-1, 5.06) starts against Lincecum tonight at 10:15 pm.
0 comments
Post a Comment