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Nats pound out 21 hits, crush Giants

Aug 14, 2012 - 5:58 AM San Francisco, CA (Sports Network) - Danny Espinosa crushed a two-run home run among his four hits, knocked in three runs and scored three times, as the Nationals routed the Giants, 14-2, in the opener of a three-game set at AT&T Park.

Kurt Suzuki plated a season-high four runs, Roger Bernadina knocked in three, and Washington pounded out 21 hits to set a new single-game mark for the most hits in AT&T Park's 1,032-game history.

"It was fun watching the offense. We beat up on a pretty good pitcher," Nationals manager Davey Johnson said.

Gio Gonzalez (15-6) allowed two runs on six hits and two walks with four strikeouts over 6 2/3 innings to move into a tie for the NL lead in wins with New York's R.A. Dickey and Cincinnati's Johnny Cueto.

Ryan Vogelsong (10-6) was tagged for eight runs on nine hits and two walks over just 2 2/3 innings, snapping a streak of 22 straight starts in which he's pitched at least six innings.

"There's not a lot to say," said Giants manager Bruce Bochy. "(Vogelsong) has been so good and had some tough luck along with the base hits. This guy has been as consistent as anybody and they placed the ball well tonight. It's just one of those days."

Brandon Crawford belted a two-run home run in the seventh to end the shutout, but the loss dropped the Giants into a tie for first place in the NL West with the Dodgers, who won earlier on Monday.

Ryan Zimmerman's double in the first scored Steve Lombardozzi before the Nationals erupted for a seven-run third inning.

Lombardozzi worked a one-out walk before Bryce Harper and Zimmerman stroked back-to-back singles to load the bases.

Vogelsong then walked Adam LaRoche to plate a run before Michael Morse, Espinosa and Bernadina slapped consecutive RBI singles to give the visitors a 5-0 advantage.

The big blow of the inning came off the bat of Suzuki, who laced a grounder down the third-base line to score three runners, as the Nationals took a commanding 8-0 lead.

The Nats packed the bags again in the fourth against Brad Penny and Bernadina scorched a double off the brick wall in right to plate a pair before Suzuki followed with an RBI single to make it an 11-0 margin.

In the fifth, Harper singled, moved to third on a groundout, and then scored on Penny's wild pitch.

Tyler Moore then worked a walk before Espinosa drove a curveball over the wall in straightaway center field to extend the lead to 14-0.

Crawford's fourth home run of the year chased Gonzalez from the game in the seventh, but it was too little, too late as the Nationals cruised to the victory.

Game Notes

The Nats had 21 hits, tying for the most in Nationals history since the move to Washington in 2005....Nationals outfielder Jayson Werth was scratched from the game due to right ankle soreness...Bochy was ejected in the third inning for arguing a call at first base...San Francisco infielder Pablo Sandoval was activated from the 15-day disabled list before the game. He entered as a pinch-hitter in the ninth and popped out...Penny was charged for six runs on seven hits and two walks in two innings.