Nats Don’t Let Giants Rain On Win Streak; Win 4-2

Despite a rain-shortened start by Gio Gonzalez, the Nationals extended their win streak to four games with a victory in the series opener against San Francisco. Gonzalez, forced to leave the game early by a one hour and 17 minute rain delay, pitched well in his limited time on the mound, allowing just two hits over four shutout innings.

Aug 13, 2013; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals first baseman Adam LaRoche (25) watches his two run home run during the sixth inning against the San Francisco Giants at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

The Nationals struck early in the fourth inning against Giants starter Madison Bumgarner. After Ian Desmond and Adam LaRoche opened the inning with a double and single. Wilson Ramos stung one off of Bumgarner for a 1-0 Nats lead. Then. the floodgates opened and took the starters out of the game.

The Nationals did not let Mother Nature stop their momentum. After the tarp was taken off the field and play was resumed, Adam LaRoche broke a 1-1 tie in the sixth inning with a titanic blast to right field. It was LaRoche’s 17th homer of the year, tying him with Jayson Werth for the team lead. While the Giants crawled back within one run after a Hunter Pence RBI single in the seventh inning off Ryan Mattheus, the Nationals were able to escape and added an insurance run of their own in the bottom of the eight when Denard Span provided a 4-2 lead with a sac fly.

Rafael Soriano came on for the ninth and locked down a 1-2-3 inning for his 30th save of the year, extending the win streak to four games. He is the fourth different Nationals pitcher to collect 30 saves in a season, joining Chad Cordero(2005), Drew Storen(2011), and Tyler Clippard(2012).