Nationals 2, Giants 1
WASHINGTON -- Clint Robinson hit a two-run homer and Gio Gonzalez pitched seven strong innings as the Washington Nationals defeated the San Francisco Giants 2-1 on Friday night, spoiling Jake Peavy's return from the disabled list.
After right fielder Bryce Harper walked leading off the seventh inning against Peavy (0-3), Robinson connected for his fourth home run of the season.
Gonzalez (6-4), whose last start was rained out after one inning, allowed one run and five hits and struck out six. It was his first outing of the season without a walk.
Drew Storen pitched the ninth to post his 24th save as Washington snapped a three-game losing streak.
Nationals pitchers have allowed just 25 runs in their last 13 games.
Robinson, filling in for injured Ryan Zimmerman at first base, has 20 hits in his last 69 at-bats (.290) with four homers and 12 RBIs.
San Francisco first baseman Buster Posey sent Gonzalez's first pitch of the seventh inning over the center field fence for his 14th homer of the season.
The Giants have lost four straight.
Peavy, who was activated Friday, was making his first start since April 17 after spending more than two months on the disabled list with a back strain.
In his return to Nationals Park, where he was the winning pitcher in Game 1 of the 2014 National League Division Series, the right-hander allowed two runs and three hits in 6 1/3 innings. He had four strikeouts and four walks.
Peavy compiled a 5.55 ERA in seven rehab starts but was solid in his first game back. After giving up two hits and a walk in the first inning, he retired 16 of 17 before walking Harper in the seventh.
Peavy lowered his ERA from 9.39 to 6.43 in his third start of the season.
NOTES: The Giants placed RHP Tim Hudson on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to June 27 with a right shoulder strain. The team also designated IF Travis Ishikawa for assignment and called up OF Ryan Hollis from Triple-A Sacramento. ... Washington C Wilson Ramos got the night off as Jose Lobaton started behind the plate. ... The Nationals unveiled their newest "Racing President" with Calvin Coolidge joining George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt and William Howard Taft in the fourth-inning mascot race.