Photo credit: @SFGiants
By Jeremy Kahn
SAN FRANCISCO–It maybe early in the year, but the San Francisco Giants are beginning to show why they have three World Series in the past eight years.
Mac Williamson hit a towering home run to straightaway centerfield in the bottom of the sixth inning, as the Giants made it three straight victories with a 4-3 win over the Washington Nationals in front of a crowd of 37,147 at AT&T Park Tuesday night.
The Williamson home run measured at 423 feet went deep over the centerfield wall to give the Giants the second series win in a row.
There was a scary moment for Williamson in the top of the fifth inning, as he attempted to catch a Bryce Harper foul, Williamson went crashing into the padded wall near the bullpen area.
“Feeling fine, spiked my calf,” said Williamson.
Brandon Belt continued his hot hitting, as he extended his hitting streak to seven games, as he hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the third inning. It was the fifth home run for Belt in the last six games.
Joe Panik went three-for-four at the plate, as the Giants have won four out of their last five games.
Reyes Moronta pitched two innings, as he allowed just one hit and struck out two and won his first major league game.
“Reyes is doing a great job,” said Ty Blach.
Blach went five innings, allowing three runs on four hits, while walking two and striking out three, as he did not fare in the decision.
Blach was looking good until he got into trouble in the top of the fourth inning, as he walked Ryan Zimmerman, gave up a single to Moises Sierra and then Michael Taylor tied up the game with one swing of the bat. Taylor took a Blach pitch to the right-field arcade for a three-run home run that tied up the game.
It was a tough few days for Blach, as he suffered food poisoning in Anaheim, and was on IV yesterday, according to Bruce Bochy.
“Down eight or nine pounds,” said Blach.
Tanner Roark pitched six innings, allowing four runs on six hits, walked two, struck out four. Roark also threw two wild pitches, and gave up two home runs, as hid record fell to 1-2 on the season.
NOTES: Jeff Samardzija heads to the mound on Wednesday afternoon, as the Giants look for the sweep. The Nationals will send Max Scherzer to the hill, as they look to salvage the series finale.
In his last five starts against the Nationals, Samardzija is 0-5 with a 6.43 earned run average in 28 innings pitched.
On the other hand, in his last two starts versus the Giants, Scherzer has 21 strikeouts and just one walk.
UP NEXT: The Giants and Nationals conclude their three-game series Wednesday afternoon at 12:45 pm PT.
