San Francisco Giants Matt Chapman (26) beats out a throw at first base as the Washington Nationals first baseman Curtis Mead (center) waits for the late throw in the top of the third inning at Nationals Park in DC on Sun Apr 19, 2026 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The San Francisco Giants fell short in their bid for their first sweep of the season losing Sunday in game three 3-0. They did finish the game with eight hits but both teams at times looked sluggish after the marathon 12 inning game Saturday. The Nationals had seven hits in the game most of them in the seventh inning resulting in the three runs that won this ball game at Nationals Park.

Game wrap: It was a very shaky start for the Nationals in the opening inning. Luis Arraez reached first base on a fielding error. Rafael Devers hit a single and with two runners on base and two outs that was it for National’s pitcher PJ Poulin. After only 2/3 of an inning he was relieved by Miles Mikolas who got out of the inning. The Nationals got a hit in the bottom of the inning but that would be it going into the second inning.

Each team got a hit in the second inning but no runs through two innings. It was much the same in the third inning with each team having one hit, a lot of singles, but no runs. The Giants had a a couple of hits in the fourth inning with two runners on base but again no runs.

The Nationals went three and out in the bottom of the fourth. Washington had a couple of long balls that were just foul but the game remained scoreless. Perhaps the temperature and the winds had something to do with the decline in offense for both teams or possibly fatigue after Saturday’s game but these guys looked tired.

Andrew Alvarez would relieve Miles Mikolas mid-way through the fifth inning. He pitched through four innings allowing four hits, one walk with four strikeouts and no runs.

It was just a matter of time before one of these teams would get up on the scoreboard. Unfortunately for San Francisco it was the Nationals who took a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the fifth inning.

San Francisco had gone three and out in the top of the inning. The Nationals were about to turn this game around. Nasim Nunez bunted a single to start the bottom of the inning. Keibert Ruiz doubled Nunez home for a 1-0 game and Curtis Mead finished off the inning with a two run home run with Ruiz on base for a 3-0 lead.

The Giants Casey Schmitt doubled in the top of the sixth inning but did not score. The Nationals Joey Weimer also doubled but the Nats did not score and the game remained 3-0.

San Francisco had some work to do. In the early innings the Giants had some scoring opportunities but were unable to cash in. They were down to three innings left in the game to make a move.

Not much was going on for San Francisco in the top of the seventh inning. Patrick Bailey grounded out and Willy Adames struck out for the third time today and Luis Arraez ground out for a three and out going into the bottom of the seventh.

The Giants Robbie Ray was relieved after 93 pitches by Keaton Winn after going six innings. Ray finished allowing 7 hits, 3 runs, 1 walk and 7 strikeouts.

The Giants got something going in the eighth inning with two runners on base, Matt Chapman and Rafael Devers with no outs. Schmitt hit into a double play and Chapman moved on to third now with two outs. Jerar Encarnacion struck out for the third out and San Francisco missed a great scoring opportunity and now had a single inning left in the game. The Giant’s JT Brubaker would relieve Winn in the eighth inning. Winn had one strikeout easily getting out of the eighth inning.

San Francisco was now down to their last three outs going into the top of the ninth inning. Ramos had a monster hit to start the inning, deep to center for a double. Drew Gilbert popped out with Daniel Susac at the plate. Susac struck out and San Francisco was down to their last out. Adames was the Giants last hope to keep this game going. The Giants were 10-0 with runners on base. Adames grounded out and that was the ball game 3-0 in favor of the Nationals.

Game notes: The Giants took on the Nationals Sunday in game three of their series after an exciting marathon yesterday that went 12 innings on Saturday. The extra innings were full of drama with the Nationals loading the bases in the tenth with a chance to win the game but coming away empty in a 7-6 loss.

Both teams fought hard in this game Saturday with San Francisco coming away with the win. This has been a great series for Matt Chapman coming through with some key hits in the first two games. Heliot Ramos has also been a highlight going 3-5 Saturday.

For Sunday a threatening front passed over the field before the game and it turned into a beautiful yet very chilly Sunday. The temperature at first pitch was 54 degrees but felt more like 44 so fans and some of the players were bundled up for this one. As this game wore on the wind really became a factor as well.

The Giants finished this road trip 4-5 and now will head back to Oracle Park in San Francisco for a series with the Los Angeles that gets underway Tuesday.

The Dodgers come into this three game series the best team in baseball 15-6 despite loosing to the Colorado Rockies on Sunday 9-6. The Dodgers will start ace pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto in game one, he has a 2-1 win/loss record and a 2.10 ERA.

The Giants will feature Tyler Mahle on the hill. Mahle has a 0-3 win/loss record and a 7.23 ERA. First pitch for the opener in this series is scheduled for 6:45 PM PDT.