By Jeremy Kahn

SAN FRANCISCO-In the much anticipated pitching rematch of Game Two of the 2012 World Series between Madison Bumgarner and Doug Fister, it was a pitchers’ duel; however different results this time around.

Denard Span got to Bumgarner in the top of the fifth inning, as he hit a sacrifice fly to score Ian Desmond and then Jayson Werth added a run-scoring single that scored Danny Espinosa and the Washington Nationals hung on
to defeat the San Francisco Giants 2-1 before 41,545, the 279th consecutive sellout at AT&T Park.

Fister went seven innings, allowing zero runs on eight hits, walking one and striking out three on his way to upping his record to 5-1 on the season, his first in the Nation’s Capitol.

Bumgarner allowed two runs on eight hits, walking just one and striking out five in seven innings of work, as the left-hander saw his record fall to 8-4.

Pablo Sandoval and Michael Morse picked up back-to-back singles in the bottom of the fourth inning that included Sandoval to reach third base; however Gregor Blanco, Brandon Crawford and Brandon Hicks each flew out to end the threat.

Adam LaRoche singled twice for the Nationals, and appeared to score the Nationals’ third run of the game in the top of the sixth inning after first base umpire Phil Cuzzi ruled Desmond safe on an infield hit, as he beat the throw from Morse to Bumgarner; however Bruce Bochy challenged the ruling and after 36 seconds, the play was reversed, thus nullifying the run.

That replay was the second replay challenge of the game, as Nationals manager Matt Williams challenged a call in the bottom of the third inning, as he thought Angel Pagan was out on a groundout that would have been an inning-ending double play; however the call stood.

With runners on first and second with one out, Nationals reliever Tyler Clippard was able to get out of the jam, as he struck out Morse for the second out and then got Blanco to flyout to Span in centerfield to end the inning.

After Crawford led off the bottom of the ninth inning with a long triple off of Nationals closer Rafael Soriano, then Hicks grounded out to shortstop to drive in Crawford with the Giants only run of the game.

Soriano was able to regroup following the Hicks groundout to get pinch hitter Hector Sanchez to popout to Desmond at shortstop, and then Pagan flew out to Span in centerfield to end the game.

It was the 13th save of the season for Soriano, who gave up one run on one hit in his lone inning of work.