WASHINGTON — CJ Abrams and Lane Thomas homered, rookie Jake Irvin struck out a career-high nine and the Washington Nationals beat the San Francisco Giants 5-3 on Friday night.
J.D. Davis and Joc Pederson homered for the Giants, who have dropped three in a row since a seven-game winning streak that spanned the All-Star break. San Francisco began play Friday two games behind the NL West-leading Los Angeles Dodgers.
Abrams continued his torrid month, recording his ninth multi-hit game of July after collecting 13 in his first 81 games. He has thrived since moving into the leadoff spot on July 7 and is hitting .415 (17 for 41) in Washington’s last 10 games. He homered off Alex Wood (4-4) with two outs in the second for his ninth of the season. He also doubled to lead off the fifth, chasing Wood.
Abrams scored later in the second on Joey Meneses’ two-out double.
The Nationals, who had lost four of five, scored twice in the first. Thomas had a solo shot to center, and Keibert Ruiz added an RBI double. Washington took a 4-3 lead in the fourth on Michael Chavis’ RBI double.
Irvin (3-5) defeated the Giants for the second time this season. The 26-year-old right-hander worked a career-best 6 2/3 innings and struck out five hitters looking.
Irvin gave up an opposite-field solo home run to Davis in the first and a tw-run shot by Pederson’ that landed in the third deck in right field. But, he didn’t face a batter with a runner in scoring position.
Kyle Finnegan worked a 1-2-3 ninth for his 13th save.
Wood allowed five runs in four-plus innings, allowing five hits while striking out one.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Giants: Davis (illness) and 1B LaMonte Wade Jr. (left hamstring) started after missing back-to-back games. … Manager Gabe Kapler said RHP Luke Jackson (back strain) is “right on the cusp” of being activated from the injured list.
Nationals: RHP Hunter Harvey (elbow strain) said he didn’t have a timeline for returning after going on the injured list Monday. “The only good thing about being hurt as much as I have been, you kind of know the difference between normal soreness and stuff you don’t want to have,” Harvey said. “It’s something we jumped on early, which is good because I didn’t jump on it early last year and it cost me a couple months.” … RHP Carl Edwards Jr. (shoulder inflammation) threw a 21-pitch bullpen session Friday.
UP NEXT
Giants: RHP Logan Webb (8-7, 3.11 ERA) is 1-0 with a 1.59 ERA and 28 strikeouts in 22 2/3 innings this month.
Nationals: RHP Josiah Gray (6-8, 3.59) is 2-0 with a 3.18 ERA in three career appearances against San Francisco, including a victory May 10 at Oracle Park.
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