The Washington Nationals were able to keep their season alive Monday with a 4-1 win over the Giants in San Francisco. After the Giants took the first 2 games in D.C, the Nationals were in a must-win situation and got the job done. It was expected to be a pitching duel with Madison Bumgarner and Doug Fister on the mound, and it lived up to the expectations under the California sun.
The game was held scoreless by both starters through 6 innings, yet another close battle following Saturday's 18-inning marathon. Bumgarner would then allow the first 2 runners to reach in the 7th, and the Nats' plan was to bunt those runners over. Wilson Ramos was able to lay down the bunt, but Bumgarner made the questionable decision to throw to 3rd, rather than the easy out at 1st. That decision backfired, as the throw went in to left field scoring 2 and giving the Nationals the 2-0 advantage.
The inning would not end there, as Asdrubal Cabrera would single in a run to extend the lead to 3-0. Bumgarner would exit following the 7th, giving up those 3 runs on 6 hits while striking out 6. The Nationals would add a run in the 9th when Bryce Harper clobbered his 2nd home run of the postseason for a 4-0 Nationals lead.
The Giants would attempt a rally in the 9th, but they were only able to get across 1 run on a Brandon Crawford sacrifice fly. Doug Fister shutout the Giants over 7 innings, giving up just 4 hits, and striking out 3. Game 4 will take place Tuesday night at 9 p.m. EST. on Fox Sports 1. It will be another must-win for the Nats who look to force a Game 5 Thursday, while the Giants look to clinch the NLCS.
The game was held scoreless by both starters through 6 innings, yet another close battle following Saturday's 18-inning marathon. Bumgarner would then allow the first 2 runners to reach in the 7th, and the Nats' plan was to bunt those runners over. Wilson Ramos was able to lay down the bunt, but Bumgarner made the questionable decision to throw to 3rd, rather than the easy out at 1st. That decision backfired, as the throw went in to left field scoring 2 and giving the Nationals the 2-0 advantage.
The inning would not end there, as Asdrubal Cabrera would single in a run to extend the lead to 3-0. Bumgarner would exit following the 7th, giving up those 3 runs on 6 hits while striking out 6. The Nationals would add a run in the 9th when Bryce Harper clobbered his 2nd home run of the postseason for a 4-0 Nationals lead.
The Giants would attempt a rally in the 9th, but they were only able to get across 1 run on a Brandon Crawford sacrifice fly. Doug Fister shutout the Giants over 7 innings, giving up just 4 hits, and striking out 3. Game 4 will take place Tuesday night at 9 p.m. EST. on Fox Sports 1. It will be another must-win for the Nats who look to force a Game 5 Thursday, while the Giants look to clinch the NLCS.
