Game 117: Giants 6, Nationals 1

Unfortunately, it looks like the Nats used up all their offense last night.

Jordan Zimmermann was a bit off, falling an out short of pitching six innings and allowing two runs, Madison Bumgarner cut up the Nats’ offense for nine innings, allowing only one run, and thanks to a Drew Storenmeltdown in the eighth, the Nationals (72-43) fell to the Giants, 6-1.

Zimmermann (L, 9-7) was not pitching his best, allowing eight hits and walking two over 5.2 IP while only striking out four. He was lucky to escape the sixth with only two runs allowed, as he was pulled for Michael Gonzalez with Hunter Pence on third. Despite the sub-par outing, Zimmermann’s ERA only moved up to 2.38, still the best in the NL. Ryan Mattheus pitched a clean seventh with only a walk until Drew Storen came on for the eighth. Storen had an uncharacteristically bad outing, allowing four earned runs while recording only one out. Two of the runs scored after Storen was pulled and were inherited runners that Sean Burnett allowed to score. Meanwhile, Bumgarner was stellar for the Giants, tossing a five-hit, one-run complete game while striking out six and walking none.

The offensive side of things was similarly weak for the Nats. After the 14-run outburst last night, it appears everyone decided to take the night off. Bryce Harper, Ryan Zimmerman, and Tyler Moore were a combined 0-11 while Jayson Werth and Adam LaRoche were able to muster one hit each. LaRoche’s RBI single after Werth’s triple in the seventh accounted for the Nats’ only run. With his 0-3 performance tonight, Harper is hitting .249 for the season, and .178 after the All-Star break. Meanwhile, with his 2-4 tonight, the only Nat with multiple hits, Danny Espinosa is hitting .252 for the season, and .298 after the All-Star break. Perhaps Espinosa could teach Harper a thing or two about overcoming struggles, as Espinosa was hitting under .200 until May 12th.

Champ of the Game: Espinosa, who reached base twice, only to be stranded both times.
Bumgarner was the clear choice for the Giants.

Chump of the Game: Storen, who pushed a close game entirely out of reach.
Every Giants starter reached base at least once, so they all escape this distinction.

Unsung Hero: Werth, who reached base twice but only scored once.
Brandon Belt had 3 RBI for the Giants, but only reached base once thanks to being thrown out at second on an attempted double.

Next Game: Tomorrow in San Francisco, 3:45 PM. Strasburg (13-5, 2.90) v. Lincecum (6-12, 5.35)