Nationals 2 - 3 Giants
Final
  for this game

Nats try to force fifth game against Giants

Oct 7, 2014 - 2:28 PM (SportsNetwork.com) - The Washington Nationals will try to force a decisive fifth game in their National League Division Series against the San Francisco Giants on Tuesday, as they try to stave off elimination once again in Game 4 at AT&T Park.

Washington snapped San Francisco's 10-game postseason winning streak on Monday and stayed alive in this series with a 4-1 win.

The Nationals took advantage of Madison Bumgarner's throwing error and scored three times in the seventh, while Doug Fister (1-0) took care of business on the mound, scattering four hits over seven scoreless innings.

"He was in command all day with everything," Nationals manager Matt Williams said of Fister. "He just continues to compete for us, and we were able to manufacture something there (in the seventh inning)."

Bumgarner (1-1) gave up three runs (2 earned) and six hits in seven innings. He also stuck out six and walked a batter.

"I can't throw the ball away right there," said Bumgarner. "Obviously, hindsight's 20/20. You get an out (at first) and then you figure you walk Cabrera and they've got the pitcher or a pinch-hitter coming up. Shouldn't have done it."

Giants' third baseman Pablo Sandoval extended his hitting streak to 14 games in the loss. The stretch now stands one shy of Marquis Grissom's NL record, set from 1995-96. The big league postseason record is 17, shared by Hank Bauer (1956-58), Derek Jeter (1998-99) and Manny Ramirez (2003-04).

History remains on the Giants side as of the 46 previous teams who have gone up 2-0 in a Division Series since 1995, only five have lost the series. Of course, the Giants rallied from such a hole two years ago en route to a World Series title.

"I mentioned it (Sunday) that we just need one break. It's been a tough couple games here to start. And we got our break," Nationals closer Drew Storen said.

Getting the call for the Nationals on Tuesday will be lefty Gio Gonzalez, who was one of the best pitchers in baseball down the stretch. After a bout with left shoulder inflammation Gonzalez returned to go 4-1 with a 2.36 ERA over his final seven starts.

Overall, though, he was 10-10 with a 3.57 ERA.

Gonzalez struggled in the 2012 NLDS, walking 11 batters in 10 innings and pitched to a 4.50 ERA.

"(There's) definitely going to be some emotion," Gonzalez said. "There's going to be some excitement. In my career and my time playing, I definitely want to stay as much composed and relaxed as possible. Picking up from other pitchers, that's the beauty about being a pitcher on the side -- watching other people's emotions and the way they go about it, the way they compete, and just staying low-key and professional as much as possible."

Meanwhile, Ryan Vogelsong will try to pitch the Giants to their third NLCS appearance in the last five years.

Vogelsong, who will be pitching for the first time in 11 days, was just 8-13 this season with a 4.00 ERA and ended the year on a sour note. The righty was 0-4 in September with a 5.53 ERA.

"Even at the end of the season, I would be rolling along in the game and then just kind of lose it," Vogelsong said of his September struggles. "So, I mean, it's there. I just need to be more focused at times and more concentrated on making a good pitch. Those will be the things that are on the forefront of my mind."

Vogelsong has faced the Nats nine times (5 starts) and is 1-2 against them with a 6.16 ERA.

The Nats had their way with the Giants in the regular season, taking five out of seven games.






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