San Francisco Giants hitter Drew Gilbert swings for a single off Washington Nationals pitcher Cade Cavalli (not shown) for an RBI that scored Helliot Ramos (not shown) at Nationals Park in DC on Sat Apr 18, 2026 (AP news photo)

By Barbara Mason

It took the San Francisco Giants (9-12) 12 innings to win game two of their series with the Washington Nationals (9-12) by a 7-6 score. Each team had opportunities in the extra innings to win but it was the Giants who prevailed.Heliot Ramos had another amazing game as did the entire roster with nearly every player in the lineup with at least one hit, some of them with multiple hits. The Giants struggled to start the game but they fought back and finished the game with a win.

Game recap: Lead-off batter James Wood got the game going in favor of the Nationals hitting a solo home run in the first inning for the early 1-0 lead. That hit preempted an explosive second inning for both teams. San Francisco tied up the game in the top of the second inning coming away with three hits and one run.

Jung Hoo Lee singled, Heliot Ramos doubled, Gilbert singled Ramos home and we had a tie ball game. The Nationals had a crazy bottom of the second inning scoring four runs off of three hits taking a 5-1 lead. It was a rough inning for Giant starter Adrian Houser who not only gave up three hits but also a walk. He hit James Wood with the bases loaded so it was not his best outing so far in this game.

San Francisco had some catching up to do and they did just that in the top of the third inning scoring two runs on two hits . Luis Arraez singled and Casey Schmitt doubled driving in Matt Chapman who scored on a fielding error and Arraez. The Giants had cut the Nationals lead to 5-3. Washington came up empty in the bottom of the third inning.

Each team had a hit in the fifth inning but neither were able to score. With a bit of ground to make up, San Francisco made it happen scoring two runs in the top of the sixth tying up the game 5-5.

Ramos who hit a three run home run in Friday’s game came up huge hitting a two run home run with Lee on second base. San Francisco had new life after having trailed by four runs.

Going into the seventh inning San Francisco was looking to break the 5-5 tie. Willy Adames got the inning going with a single moving onto second base on a wild pitch. Rafal Devers singled driving Adames home and the Giants had the lead for the first time in the game 6-5. The Nationals had no hits, no runs in the bottom of the seventh.

Going into the bottom of the ninth inning the score remained 6-5 in favor of the Giants. San Francisco was one out away from winning this game. With two outs, Brady House singled Wood, (who had been intentionally walked) home and this game was again tied at 6-6.

Neither team was able to finish this game in the tenth inning, the Giants with no hits, no runs and the Nationals with one hit but no runs in the bottom of the inning. This game would go on into the 11th inning yielding nothing for either team, no runs and no hits.

San Francisco took the lead in the top of the 12th inning 7-6 in a marathon. Matt Chapman singled Arraez home from second base. Now the Giants would be looking for three outs and the win in game two.

The Nationals were threatening in the bottom of the inning with two runners on base but two outs. Abrams flied out, Young lined out and for a third time the Giants were one out away from the win. Could the third time be a charm for San Francisco?

Closer Caleb Killian struck out Daylen Lile for the third out and that was the ball game. The Giants had won the second game of the series and their third game in a row.

San Francisco’s Adrian Houser went 5 2/3 innings allowing seven hits, five runs, two walks and one strike out. Relief pitchers Ryan Borucki finished the sixth inning. Erik Miller finished the seventh, Matt Gage the eighth, Ryan Walker the ninth and tenth.

It was a great game for closer Caleb Kilian who pitched the 11th and 12th innings and came away with the victory. After the game he did say that he was still shaking. The bottom line is that he didn’t show his nerves, he got the job done and got the win for San Francisco.

Game notes: Friday the Giants won their series opener beating the Nationals. The Giants had an outstanding second inning scoring six runs setting the stage for the eventual win. Saturday San Francisco won game two of the series and their third game in a row.

It’s difficult to say who the player of the game was. Every player on the roster contributed to the win with Matt Chapman leading the pack with three hits and three RBIs. Heliot Ramos hit a three run homer along with Casey Schmitt and Drew Gilbert each hitting solo home runs on Friday night.

The Giants offense is cranking and they got more scoring seven runs just enough to edge the Nationals at Nationals Park in DC. San Francisco starter Adrian Houser went 5.2 innings giving up seven hits and four earned runs. For Washington’s starter Cade Cavalli four innings of work, seven hits and one earned run allowed and struck out five batters.

Sunday San Francisco will be going for the sweep in game three. Both teams could be emotionally and physically drained after Saturday’s game but they will be on an equal playing field. The only difference will be that it was the Giants who came away with the win in game two. Robbie Ray will take the mound for the Giants with a 2-2 win/loss record and a 2.42 ERA. Miles Mikolas has struggled with a 0-3 win/loss record and a 11.49 ERA. First pitch Sunday is scheduled for 10:35 AM PDT.