San Francisco Giants manager Gabe Kapler, left, relieves starting pitcher Scott Alexander, with catcher Patrick Bailey, during the first inning against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park in DC on Sun Jul 23, 2023 (AP News photo)

Underdog Nationals Sweep Giants in 6-1 win; SF drops fifth straight game

By Barbara Mason

Sunday the San Francisco Giants (54-45) took on the Washington Nationals (40-58) looking to avoid a sweep. The Giants lost the first two games of this series getting beaten badly in game two 10-1. The Nationals had 14 hits in that game while the Giants offense fell short with fie hits.

The Nationals Lane Thomas matched a team most stolen bases record in a game with four and helped in the 6-1 win over the Giants at Nationals Park in DC. It was the Giants fifth consecutive loss on this current road trip.

In today’s game, the Giants had two runners on base in the first inning but left them stranded. Washington loaded the bases in the first and finished the inning scoring two runs taking an early 2-0 lead. San Francisco had fallen behind early as they had in the first two games of this series. Despite their struggles this season, the Nationals sure seemed to have dialed into the Giants number.

Washington went on to score a run in the third inning and two more in the fourth for a 5-0 lead. The Nationals already had eight hits through four innings. We have seen San Francisco come from behind numerous times but lately that has not been the case. They were digging yet another hole in this game.

That hole got a little deeper in the fifth inning when Riley Adams hit a solo homer for a 6-0 Washington lead.

Starting pitcher for the Giants Scott Alexander was pulled in the first inning. He allowed two hits and two runs. Anthony Desclafani relieved Alexander but also had a rough time. Through five innings he allowed seven hits and four runs giving the Nationals that 6-0 lead.

The Giants would cut into the Nationals lead in the seventh inning. Joc Pederson hit a solo home run. That would be all that San Francisco could manage and the Giants had lost their fifth game in a row. The Nationals had their first sweep of the season with this win.

Despite the Giants being favored in all three games, the Nationals had the winning formula in this series. Washington’s pitching was a huge part of this series sweep. The lack of offense by San Francisco was what hurt them but also the pitching.

It was not their finest moment from Alex Wood to Logan Webb and finally Anthony Desciafani. All three starters struggled. Wood allowed five hits and five runs, Webb allowing five hits and six runs and finally today reliever (relieved Alexander in the first inning) Desciafani allowing eight hits and four runs.

San Francisco is looking forward to coming home to Oracle Park. They do have one game to make up in Detroit on Monday. This game is a make-up game from back on April 18. The Giants have not announced a starter and most likely will go with an opener for the Tigers Tarik Skubal will get the start (0-1 ERA 5.25) First pitch is a 10:10 AM start.

Whether it comes down to fatigue in this long road trip or not, San Francisco will be beyond relieved to come home. Tuesday night, the Giants will welcome the Oakland A’s to Oracle Park for a two game series. Projected pitchers are; for San Francisco Alex Cobb (6-3 ERA 3.15) and for Oakland Ken Waldichuk (2-6, ERA 6.75) a 6:45pm PT first pitch.