Gonzalez, Robinson lead Nats to 2-1 victory over Giants

By Josh Land

Nationals

July 03, 2015, 3:29pm

Comments

Denard Span singled to lead off tonight's game, but was quickly erased on Danny Espinosa's grounder. Yunel Escobar then sliced a ball down the right field line that bounced fair and skipped into the seats for a ground-rule double.

Giants manager Bruce Bochy opted to have starter Jake Peavy intentionally walk Bryce Harper to get to Clint Robinson, who flew out to right to end the Nationals best scoring opportunity.

Harper gave the Nats their only other baserunner of the game when he drew another walk in the fourth.

Gio Gonzalez has shut down the Giants so far. The left-hander has allowed just three hits while striking out four without a walk through five innings.

Update: Buster Posey crushed a first-pitch fastball from Gonzalez over the center field wall to break a scoreless tie in the seventh. The solo homer was Posey's seventh.

Peavy has retired 16 of the last 17 batters he has faced heading into the bottom of the seventh.

Update II: Peavy walked Harper for the third time to start the seventh and this time Robinson made him pay. Robinson drilled a 1-1 heater over the wall in right-center field for a two-run homer to give the Nats a 2-1 lead. It was Robinson's fourth home run of the year.

Update III: Gonzalez threw seven strong innings, allowing just one run on the solo homer while scattering five hits with six strikeouts and no walks. He threw 82 pitches.

Left-hander Matt Thornton pitched a scoreless eighth inning for the Nationals.

Update IV: Drew Storen will pitch the ninth aiming for his 24th save.

Update V: The Nationals beat the Giants 2-1.