All weekend, the Washington Nationals have downplayed their meeting with the San Francisco Giants, the team that knocked them out of last year’s playoffs in heartbreaking fashion. It’s a new year, the Nationals have said. That series is in the past.
But whether they’ll admit to it or not, this sweep was sweet.
The Nationals beat the Giants, 3-1, on Sunday night to complete their fifth sweep of the season. Wilson Ramos drove in a pair of runs. Jordan Zimmermann was spectacular for seven innings. And Drew Storen, less than 24 hours away from a possible All-Star Game nod, locked it down in the ninth for his 25th save.
THE RUNDOWN: One of the keys for the Nationals in recent weeks has been scoring early, and they managed to do that again Sunday night. Ramos and Danny Espinosa drew consecutive walks in the second inning to get it started, and Michael A. Taylor singled to get the Nationals on the board. The Giants, however, tied it in the fourth on a solo homer by Brandon Crawford. Then, the umpires took over. The Giants had been frustrated with Phil Cuzzi’s strike zone all night, and in the fifth inning they let him know about it. Starter Ryan Vogelsong was ejected for the first time in his major-league career. Then manager Bruce Bochy was tossed, too. They could only watch from the visitors’ clubhouse as Wilson Ramos hit a solo homer in the sixth inning, his eighth of the season, and the Nationals held on to win.
THE HIGHLIGHT: I’m a sucker for a good bunt, so Espinosa gets the nod here for his textbook demonstration in the fourth inning. Batting left-handed against the right-handed Vogelsong, he dropped a perfect drag bunt down the first-base line, placing the ball in awkward no-man’s land between Vogelsong and first baseman Buster Posey. It was his fourth bunt hit of the season, and it was just one piece of another excellent night at the plate. Espinosa finished 2 for 3 with a walk and a stolen base.
STAR OF THE GAME: Max Scherzer has been dominant over the past few weeks, but Zimmermann has been pretty spectacular, too. Sunday night was another gem. The right-hander held the Giants to three hits, including the homer by Crawford, and struck out eight. Over his past four starts, he’s posted a 1.21 ERA with two walks and 25 strikeouts. Not too shabby.
SEE ALSO: Stephen Strasburg, Nationals’ starter, returns to disabled list with left oblique strain
THE TAKEAWAY: Taylor made another incredible diving play in left field Sunday night, charging in and leaping headfirst to rob Angel Pagan in the eighth inning. Every day, it looks a little more likely that the 24-year-old will be the team’s starting center fielder in 2015. Denard Span has been superb again this season, just as he’s been for almost the entirety of his two-plus seasons in Washington, but Taylor looks ready to be an everyday starter. Though he struck out twice Sunday, he’s been making noticeable strides in that department. He’s also been much more effective against offspeed pitches in recent weeks. His growth at the plate will come in time. But the defense, as we were reminded again Sunday, is already there.
• Tom Schad can be reached at tschad@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.