FINAL SCORE: Nationals def. Giants, 4-1 (Giants lead series, 2-1)
The Washington Nationals will play at least one more game this season.
Facing Madison Bumgarner and the San Francisco Giants in a must-win Game 3 of the NLDS, the Nationals were able to push across four late runs en route to a 4-1 victory, forcing a Game 4.
Bumgarner was stellar through six innings, as he kept the Nationals off the board while piling up six strikeouts. The six scoreless frames pushed the 25-year-old left-hander's postseason scoreless innings streak to 22.
However, the wheels would come off for MadBum and the Giants in the seventh.
After giving up a hit and walk to Ian Desmond and Bryce Harper to begin the inning, respectively, Bumgarner uncorked a wild throw to third base on a bunt by Wilson Ramos. The throw traveled through the bullpen down the left field line, allowing both Desmond and Harper to score. Asdrubal Cabrera followed with an RBI single to extend Washington’s lead to 3-0.
Bryce Harper added to the Nats’ lead in the ninth inning with a booming solo home run to right field. The 21-year-old also had two outstanding catches in left field—one up against the left-center field wall, the other diving in the gap—that deserved as much as praise as him second NLDS homer.
The Giants pushed across a run in the ninth inning against closer Drew Storen, but ultimately came up short in their attempt at a comeback.
Nationals starter Doug Fister added to his already impressive postseason resume with seven shutout innings. The right-hander scattered four hits and walked three in the game, striking out three batters while throwing 64 of 99 pitches for strikes.
The NLDS continues tomorrow with Game 4 at 9 p.m. ET in San Francisco, as Gio Gonzalez will attempt to keep the Nationals’ season alive. Ryan Vogelsong is expected to start for the Giants.
No comments:
Post a Comment