Giants Vs. Nationals: Gorzelanny Shuts Down Reeling San Francisco Offence

The Washington Nationals made a surprising splash on the free-agent market this past winter, committing over $100 million to a player they want to lead the franchise into the future. That player, Cliff Lee, was at his best tonight.

Wait a sec, they didn't sign Cliff Lee. They traded for Tom Gorzelanny. But the difference between name brand and store brand wasn't noticeable on Monday night, as the Nationals won a pitchers' duel against the San Francisco Giants at Nationals Field, 2-0.

Madison Bumgarner started for the Giants, and he was fantastic, cutting through the first 12 Nationals without allowing a baserunner. After Wilson Ramos led off the fifth inning with a long double, Bumgarner shut down another eight in a row. With two outs, Ramos grounded one just under a mailbox wearing a Miguel Tejada jersey, and the two-out rally was on. Ian Desmond followed with a single, Michael Morse singled home a run, and Jerry Hairston doubled home another. Initially, Ramos was credited with a hit, but later the official scorer made the correct call, changing the ground ball that Tejada missed to an error.

Two runs was more than Gorzelanny would need. He changed speeds, and located well. When the Giants would make solid contact, which they did a few times, the Nationals usually made nice defensive plays behind their left-handed starter. Gorzelanny allowed three hits and no walks in eight innings, while striking out four. Drew Storen came in for an uneventful save, and the Nationals took three of four in the series.

The Giants travel to New York to face the Mets, and the Nationals to Philadelphia to take on the Phillies.