By Jeremy Kahn

When Brandon Belt came to the plate in the top of the 18th inning, he just wanted to reach base in any way.

Belt did better than that, as he hit a solo home run leading off the top of the 18th inning and the San Francisco Giants came from behind to take a 2-0 lead in the National League Division Series with a 2-1 victory over the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park.

With the victory, the Giants move within one victory from advancing to their third National League Championship in the past five years.

Belt took a Tanner Roark pitch and put into the first deck of the right field seats to stun the Nationals fans, but sent the Giants dugout and allegiances of fans into hysteria.

The six hour and 23 minute game broke the record for longest game in postseason history, and tied the record for most innings.

This was the Giants 10th consecutive victory of the postseason, extending their National League record and are now three wins behind the New York Yankees for most consecutive postseason victories with 13.

Yusmeiro Petit, who came on in the bottom of the 12th inning for the Giants was lights out, as he went six strong innings, allowing just one hit, walking three and struck out seven and took the win.

The Giants were down to their final out against Jordan Zimmerman, who was lights out for the Nationals, as he retired 20 in a row before allowing a walk to Joe Panik in the top of the ninth inning.

That walk allowed by Zimmerman brought out Nationals manager Matt Williams, who brought on his closer Drew Storen to face Buster Posey for the potential final out of the game.

Posey did not oblige, as on the first pitch he saw from Storen, he hit into left field, advancing Panik to second base to bring up the hot hitting Pablo Sandoval, whose 12-game postseason hitting streak was on the line.

Sandoval took a Storen offering and put it down the left field line, and into the corner to easily score Panik from second base. Posey came around third base, and Bryce Harper threw a great relay to Ian Desmond, who in turn threw to Wilson Ramos, who tagged Posey out at the plate.

Bruce Bochy challenged the call, and after a two and a half minute review, the play stood and the inning was over.

In the bottom of the 10th inning, Asdrubal Cabrera was called out looking at strike three and after throwing his helmet and bat to the ground, he was ejected by home plate umpire Vic Carapazza. Williams came out to defend Cabrera; however he was then kicked out of the game by Carapazza.

Tim Hudson went seven and two-thirds for the Giants, as he allowed one run on seven hits, walking no one and striking out eight.

Zimmerman went eight and two-thirds for the Nationals, allowing one run on just three hits, walking one and striking out six.

Anthony Rendon drove in the Nationals only run of the game in the bottom of the third inning on a ball that scooted just under the glove of a diving Brandon Crawford.