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Nationals: Wilson Ramos Home Run Edges Nats Over Giants

By Ricky Keeler

Aug 7, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals third baseman Anthony Rendon (6) holds his glove up after catching a fly ball off the bat of San Francisco Giants second baseman Joe Panik (12) (not pictured) for the final out of the second inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 7, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals third baseman Anthony Rendon (6) holds his glove up after catching a fly ball off the bat of San Francisco Giants second baseman Joe Panik (12) (not pictured) for the final out of the second inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Washington Nationals won a pitcher’s duel against the Giants 1-0 thanks to a seventh inning home run by Wilson Ramos.

This afternoon, a pitcher’s duel took place in the series finale between the Washington Nationals (66-45) and the San Francisco Giants (63-48). Tanner Roark and Madison Bumgarner both did not give up a run over the first six innings. Then, Wilson Ramos delivered the only run of the day with a solo home run in the bottom of the seventh as the Nats won the game 1-0 and clinched the season series 4-3 over the Giants.

In the bottom of the first, Jayson Werth extended his on-base streak to 38 games by drawing a four-pitch walk against Bumgarner. He would end up being stranded at first as Daniel Murphy struck out and Anthony Rendon flew out to right to end the first.

It was a rough first six innings for the Washington Nationals offense, who was without Bryce Harper today because of a neck injury (Chris Heisey got the start in right field). The only hit against Bumgarner in the first six innings was a two-out double by Rendon in the fourth.

As for Roark, the Giants had many opportunities to score a run, but they couldn’t get that clutch hit with runners in scoring position. Bruce Bochy’s club went 1-for-9 in those situations today with the lone hit being a Joe Panik single in the fourth, but the Giants decided not to send Buster Posey (doubled to lead off the inning).

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San Francisco had one more chance to score against Roark in the seventh. With Denard Span on first and two outs, Angel Pagan hit a groundball to first that was misplayed by Murphy. The error ended up putting both runners in scoring position.

Brandon Belt stepped in after that error and hit a ball to deep center field, but Revere made an over-the-shoulder grab at the wall to keep the shutout alive. That would be Roark’s last batter as he went seven innings, gave up five hits, struck out five, and walked on three on 105 pitches (60 strikes) as he picked up his 12th win of the season.

Bumgarner’s shutout would end in the bottom of the seventh when Ramos hit a 0-1 slider over the wall in right field for his 18th home run of the season , which put the Nationals up 1-0. That was the only mistake Bumgarner made all day as he pitched all eight innings, gave up one run on two hits, struck out seven, and walked two on 113 pitches (76 strikes) in the loss.

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After Shawn Kelley threw a perfect eighth inning, Mark Melancon got the chance to go for his first save as the Washington Nationals closer in the ninth. Melancon ended up retiring the Giants in order, including strikeouts of pinch-hitters Conor Gillaspie and Hunter Pence to end the game.

Next Game: After a day off tomorrow, the Washington Nationals will begin a two game series Tuesday night at home against the Cleveland Indians (62-47). You can watch the game at 7:05 p.m ET on MASN or MLB Network. Trevor Bauer (7-5, 4.08 ERA) will get the start for the Indians against Max Scherzer (12-6, 2.87) for the Nationals.

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