Nationals lefthanded starter Tom Gorzelanny out pointed Madison Bumgarner in a spectacular pitchers duel to wrap up the homestand, as the Nationals scored late to top the world champion San Francisco Giants, 2-0, before 15,342 at Nationals Park on Military Appreciation Night.
The Nationals take the series, 3-1, outscoring the Giants 11-4 and shutting them out twice.
The Nationals broke through in bottom of the seventh inning. After two outs, Wilson Ramos reached on an error and Ian Desmond singled. Michael Morse followed with an RBI single to plate the first run of the game, Washington led 1-0. Jerry Hairston, Jr., then smacked a RBI double that scored Desmond and the Nats were up 2-0.
Gorzelanny (1-2) finished with eight innings and scattered three hits with no runs and four strikeouts for his first win in a Nationals uniform.
“He was outstanding,” Nationals manager Jim Riggleman said. “He was very similar to (Jason) Marquis the other night. He had good defense behind him. It was a real clean game. Pitching controls what happens. Both pitchers were outstanding. We finally got a little break. Guys were taking some hits away from each club. We took advantage with some hits finally there.”
Drew Storen came on and got three outs in the ninth for his sixth save.
Washington heads to Philadelphia at 14-14.
Bumgarner’s (0-5) only blemish was the two unearned runs in the seventh. He was equally masterful, throwing seven innings, scattering just four hits with one walk and seven strikeouts.
Tuesday in Philadelphia, righthander Livan Hernandez (3-2, 3.23) opposes lefthander Cole Hamels (3-1, 3.13). Nationals on deck begins at 6:30 p.m. on Sports Radio 106.7 The Fan.
