*Photo from ESPN*
After his showing on Sunday afternoon, Kyle Schwarber might like hitting leadoff. Schwarber homered twice, Starlin Castro hit an RBI double, and the Washington Nationals shut out the San Francisco Giants 5-0 on Sunday afternoon.
Nats manager Dave Martinez said of Schwarber hitting leadoff that "I think Schwarber likes it because, like yesterday, he’s a guy that can get something going right away. He’s one of those guys where, he’s a gamer. his guy never shuts it off, he really doesn't. I know what to expect from him every day, and when you see him go out there and do what he does, he’s prepared for that."
Schwarber led off the bottom of the first with a solo homer to center field, giving Washington a very early 1-0 lead to work with. In the second inning, Schwarber followed up his first inning homer with a 3 run homer to center, making it 4-0 Nationals just two innings in. It stayed that way until the 5th, when Castro doubled home Josh Harrison to make it a 5-0 game.
Joe Ross starred for Washington, putting up a long outing to save a bullpen that needed saving. Ross allowed zero runs on 5 hits, not walking anyone, and striking out 9 hitters in 8 brilliant innings to get the well deserved win. Sam Clay then pitched a scoreless 9th inning, striking out one hitter.
Martinez said of Ross's brilliant outing that "Joe was awesome. He had a mix of four good pitches and kept the ball down. His two-seamer was really, really good, very effective. But his slider and changeup were also good. His four-seamer, he elevated when he needed to. Just a great, great day for him."
Johnny Cueto got hit with the Giants, lasting 5 1/3 innings despite the rocky start. Cueto allowed all 5 runs on 9 hits and 3 walks, striking out just two hitters in his start. Jose Alvarez finished the 6th inning for the Giants, and then Jimmie Sherfy came on for the final two innings, striking out two hitters while allowing one hit and one walk.
Giants manager Gabe Kapler said of the loss that "This entire series hasn't been our best offensive performance. We have a better brand of offense in us, and I think we've seen that at various points through the season. I think we can be more selective, and at times, more aggressive. I also think that we have an even higher level of competitiveness in us."
Washington hosts the Pittsburgh Pirates on Monday night, with Jon Lester starting the series opening game for the Nationals. The Giants head back home and welcome the Arizona Diamondbacks to town, with Alex Wood getting the start for San Francisco.
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