Nats shut out for third time in last six games

Joe Ross mowed down the Giants lineup the first time through, striking out six of the first nine batters he faced over three perfect innings. But, in the fourth, the rookie right-hander ran into trouble.

Gregor Blanco led off with a single, advanced to second on Matt Duffy's deep fly out to center and then scored on Brandon Belt's double off the left field wall. After Buster Posey grounded out, Hunter Pence crushed a hanging slider to deep left for a two-out, two-run homer.

Brandon Crawford then doubled for the Giants' fourth hit of the frame but Ross was able to escape on Justin Maxwell's foul pop-up to end the inning.

Giants ace Madison Bumgarner held the Nats hitless through 4 1/3 innings before Ian Desmond singled in the fifth. Bumgarner has fanned seven through the first five frames.

Update: Giants rookie Kelby Tomlinson singled to start the fifth. Bumgarner followed with an RBI double blistered to the gap in right-center.

Nationals manager Matt Williams ended the Ross' afternoon after he issued a walk to Blanco. Ross failed to finish the fifth inning for the second straight start. The 22-year-old surrendered four runs on six hits with one walk and six strikeouts over four innings. He threw 70 pitches.

Right-hander Blake Treinen followed Ross to the mound and quickly recorded three outs to limit the damage.

Update II: Treinen was a bright spot for the Nats, pitching effectively and efficiently over two scoreless innings.

Bumgarner belted his fourth homer of the year off right-hander Casey Janssen in the seventh.

Desmond's base knock in the fifth remains the only hit against Bumgarner.

Update III: Wilson Ramos and Anthony Rendon added late singles, but neither mattered as Bumgarner finished off his second straight complete game. The lefty fanned 14 Nationals en route to the 5-0 shutout.

The Nationals have now dropped six straight, tying their worst streak of the season. They remain 4 1/2 games behind the Mets in National League East.