Nationals at Giants
San Francisco’s already depleted outfield likely will be without another starter Thursday when the Giants open a four-game series against the visiting Washington Nationals. Left fielder Nori Aoki is expected to be placed on the 7-day concussion disabled list before the game, leaving the Giants with a starting outfield of Hunter Pence, Gregor Blanco and Justin Maxwell.
Aoki, who was hit on the helmet by a pitch from Jake Arrieta on Sunday, passed his initial concussion tests but left Wednesday’s game in the fourth inning after feeling lightheaded. The Giants, who trail the first-place Dodgers by 3 1/2 games in the NL West, began the week by placing center fielder Angel Pagan (right knee tendinitis) on the disabled list and recalling outfielder Juan Perez from Triple-A Sacramento. Washington enters the series on a low note after dropping two of three against the Dodgers to fall 3 1/2 games back of the NL East-leading Mets. The Nationals received a scare Tuesday when star right fielder Bryce Harper sat out with a swollen left knee, but he was back in the lineup for Wednesday’s 3-0 loss.
TV: 10:15 p.m. ET, MASN (Washington), NBC Bay Area (San Francisco)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Nationals RH Stephen Strasburg (6-5, 4.76 ERA) vs. Giants RH Ryan Vogelsong (7-8, 4.26)
Strasburg was masterful in his return from the disabled list Saturday, holding Colorado to one run while striking out 12 over seven innings. “It was top-shelf stuff, and he was in complete control, really,” Rockies manager Walt Weiss told reporters. “He looked like an elite guy, like he’s been.” The former San Diego State star is 3-0 with a 2.76 ERA in six career games against the Giants, including 2-0 with a 1.89 ERA in three outings at AT&T Park.
Vogelsong struck out six but allowed three runs over four-plus innings of a 7-3 loss to the Cubs on Friday. The 2011 All-Star, who is making his second consecutive start in place of Mike Leake (hamstring), owns a 7.09 ERA in six career starts against Washington. Ian Desmond is 4-for-12 with a home run and six RBIs against Vogelsong, who limited Washington to one run over four frames in a start at Nationals Park on July 5.
WALK-OFFS
1. Giants C Buster Posey is one home run away from 100 for his career.
2. The Nationals are 25-8 when scoring in the first inning.
3. Leake is expected to be activated from the disabled list Tuesday to start against St. Louis.