San Francisco Giants Darin Ruf (33) belts a fifth inning solo homer against the Washington Nationals on Fri Jul 9, 2021 at Oracle Park in San Francisco (AP News photo)

By Jeremy Kahn

After learning that their All-Star Catcher Buster Posey was forced to go on the injured list, Gabe Kapler turned to his backup for help.

Curt Casali hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the second inning, but the big blow came off the bat of Darin Ruf, who hit a solo home run in the bottom of the fifth inning and the San Francisco Giants defeated the Washington Nationals 5-3 in the opener of their three-game series at Oracle Park.

It was the second run batted in for Ruf, who drove in the first run of the night in the bottom of the first inning, when he singled in Mike Yastrzemski to give the Giants a quick 1-0 lead.

Logan Webb returned to the starting rotation, as he went three innings, allowing one hit, not walking a batter and striking out four.

Unfortunately, Jose Alvarez was unable to hold onto the lead, as he gave up three runs on two hits in the top of the fourth inning, walking one in just 1/3 of an inning. Following being pulled by Kapler, and being inspected by third base Dan Bellino, Alvarez was ejected by home plate umpire David Rackley; because, Alvarez did not agree Rackleys strike zone.

The big blow by the Nationals in the inning came off the bat of Tres Barrera, who tripled to centerfield that scored both Juan Soto and Josh Bell to get the Nationals within one run.

Former Giants outfielder Gerardo Parra came back to town and haunted his former team, as he doubled in Barrera to tie up the game.

Ruf then gave the Giants the lead for good in the bottom of the fifth, as he launched a solo home run deep into the left-center field bleachers that was estimated at 433 feet.

Wilmer Flores then gave the Giants their third home run of the game, as he hit his ninth home run in the bottom of the seventh inning that closed out the scoring for the victorious Giants.

Once again, the Giants defense came up big, as Brandon Crawford showed flashbacks of Game 7 of the 2014 World Series, as he made a nifty play when Barrera grounded into the twin killing that also retired Starlin Castro at second base.

Tyler Rogers got into a jam into a jam in the top of the top of the eighth inning, as he loaded the bases with one out; however, it was another double play that got him out of the jam and out of the inning, as Parra grounded into the inning-ending double play to Donovan Solano, who threw to Crawford to retire Josh Harrison and then Crawford threw to Ruf to just get the speedy Parra to retire the side. The Nationals did look into challenging the call at first base; however, they did not challenge.

Closer Jake McGee came on in the top of the ninth inning and got Nationals veteran Ryan Zimmerman to strike out swinging for the first out, and then Alcides Escobar flew out to Yastrzemski for the second out of the inning; however, things got dicey after the Escobar fly out.

Trea Turner picked up an opposite field single, and after a visit by Kapler, Turner advanced to second on defensive indifference and then McGee walked Soto and then Bell grounded out to Crawford for the final out of the game and McGee secured his 18th save of the season.

In all, the Giants sent seven relievers to the mound after Webb and the Giants picked up their 55th win of the season against 32 losses.

NOTES: Posey was placed on the 10-day injured list with a left thumb contusion retroactively to July 6 after he was injured after he was hit on the glove hand at Chase Field, and Webb replaced Posey on the roster.

With the injury that will keep him out until after the All-Star break, Posey, who was elected to start for the National League in Tuesdays All-Star Game at Coors Field in Denver will miss the game due to the injury and will not attend the festivities.

Since Kevin Gausman is scheduled to start for the Giants on Sunday, the Denver area native will not pitch in the game; however, it is unclear if he will join Crawford for the game.

With three more home runs tonight against the Nationals, the Giants now have 130 home runs on the season, passing the Toronto Blue Jays with 128 home runs for the most home runs in the major leagues this season.

Since moving to California in 1958, the Giants have led the major leagues in home runs at the All-Star break on two previous occasions, in 1989, when they hit 80 home runs at the break and then in their first season in San Francisco, they hit 95 home runs in 1958.

The Giants unveiled their City Connect Jersey by Nike, and will wear during the entire series against the Nationals and then every Tuesday night home game.

UP NEXT: Anthony DeSclafani will take the mound on Saturday afternoon for the Giants, as he looks for his 10th win of the season, while the Nationals will send veteran Jon Lester to the hill, in search of his third win of the season.