Slumping Giants rally past Nationals
SAN FRANCISCO -- Eduardo Nunez had two hits, including a two-run double, helping the San Francisco Giants rally from an early three-run deficit to beat the Washington Nationals 5-3 on Saturday.
The game began shortly after the Nationals announced the acquisition of closer Mark Melancon from the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for a two left-handers, major-leaguer Felipe Rivero and minor-leaguer Taylor Hearn.
Six relievers combined to shut out the Nationals on three hits and two walks over the final five innings, allowing the Giants to win for the first time in three tries in the series and only the third time since the All-Star break.
Derek Law (4-1), the fourth Giants pitcher, was credited with he win after pitching one shutout inning. Closer Santiago Casilla pitched a 1-2-3 ninth for his 23rd save.
Nunez, picked up Thursday in a trade with Minnesota, notched his first Giants hit leading off the bottom of the first and stole his 28th base of the season.
But his biggest hit came in the fourth with San Francisco, which suffered 4-2 and 4-1 losses to the Nationals the two previous days, trailing 3-0.
Brandon Belt led off the fourth with his second of three walks. After Joe Panik singled and pinch hitter Mac Williamson walked to load the bases, Nunez lined a double that got the Giants to within 3-2.
Angel Pagan's infield out completed a three-run inning and tied the score.0
With relievers Matt Reynolds, Hunter Strickland and Law combining to keep the Nationals at bay, the Giants put up the two difference-making runs in the last of the seventh against Washington reliever Yusmeiro Petit.
Buster Posey's second infield hit, a walk to Hunter Pence and a single by Belt loaded the bases with one out.
Joe Panik broke the tie with a sacrifice fly. Two batters later, pinch hitter Trevor Brown drew a bases-loaded walk from Blake Treinen, making it 5-3.
Javier Lopez, Sergio Romo and Casilla held on from there to help the Giants snap a three-game losing streak.
Petit (3-2), a former Giant, took the loss.
The Nationals took their early 3-0 lead on the strength of Anthony Rendon's two-run home run in the third inning off Giants starter Jake Peavy, and Danny Espinoza's RBI double in the fourth.
Peavy lasted only four innings, allowing three runs on five hits. He walked one and struck out seven.
Nationals starter Reynaldo Lopez, promoted from Triple-A Syracuse earlier in the day, also went only four innings. He gave up three runs on four hits and five walks. He struck out four.
Pence, returning from a 48-game absence because of a strained left hamstring, had a double and a walk in two at-bats.
Trea Turner had two hits for the Nationals, who had a three-game winning streak snapped.
NOTES: The Nationals made a change at closer Saturday, acquiring RHP Mark Melancon from the Pittsburgh Pirates for LHP Felipe Rivero and LHP Taylor Hearn, despite the fact that they began the day with the lowest bullpen ERA in the National League (3.05) and the second-highest save percentage (75.7). ... Melancon has the lowest ERA in the majors since the start of the 2013 season (1.80) and the most saves since Opening Day 2014 (114). ... Nationals 2B Daniel Murphy (sore right leg) was held out of the starting lineup after having been removed early from Friday's win. ... Giants RF Hunter Pence (strained right hamstring) was reinstated from the disabled list and inserted into the No. 5 spot in the San Francisco lineup. Pence missed 48 games. ... The Giants designated 2B Ramiro Pena for assignment to create a roster spot for Pence. ... Giants CF Denard Span (bruised left quad) and SS Brandon Crawford (bruised left hand) were not in the starting lineup. ... Upon further review: The triple play turned by the Nationals in Friday's win was the third hit into by a Crawford in Major League Baseball history. Sam Crawford (1902) and Willie Crawford (1977) hit into triple plays previously.