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Hanrahan, Nationals hold Giants to two hits

Sep 2, 2007 - 3:55 AM By Rich Dubroff PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

WASHINGTON (Ticker) - Rookie Joel Hanrahan along with four others combined to throw a two-hitter as the Washington Nationals posted a 4-1 triumph over the San Francisco Giants on Saturday.

Hanrahan pitched six one-hit innings - striking out two and walking one - while Ray King, Jesus Colome and Jon Rauch bridged the gap to closer Chad Cordero, who got the last three outs for his 29th save.

Hanrahan (4-2) improved to 2-0 against the Giants, who have just two runs through 11 1/3 innings off the righthander. Hanrahan's lone mistake came in the fifth, when Pedro Feliz hit his 17th homer with two outs for a 1-0 lead.

In his previous outing, Hanrahan had been torched for nine runs in 2 2/3 innings in Colorado. This trip was much better.

"You always want to see how those guys bounce back because it's a tricky, dangerous period," Washington manager Manny Acta said. "It was very important that he was able to put that behind."

The 25-year-old had never pitched in the major leagues until July 28, but he's quickly made himself as a contender for a starting spot with the Nationals in 2008. "I have confidence in myself. I let the last game go as quick as possible," Hanrahan said. "I just try and be consistent and do it again."

King began the seventh by walking Randy Winn, getting Barry Bonds to hit into a fielder's choice and fanning Ryan Klesko to end his night. Colome then induced Bengie Molina to fly out to center to end the inning.

Rauch retired the first two batters in the eighth, but pinch hitter Nate Schierholtz singled to right for San Francisco's only other hit. Rauch got Dave Roberts to fly out to end the inning.

"We didn't do anything offensively," San Francisco manager Bruce Bochy said. "Our bats were real quiet (Saturday) - and (Hanrahan) pitched well. Balls we hit hard we hit right at somebody."

Washington's Jesus Flores hit his 17th homer in the bottom of the fifth to center off starter Jonathan Sanchez (1-3) to tie the game at 1-1.

"I was surprised," Flores said. "It was a changeup that I was looking for. It was a good swing."

"I wanted to throw it there to see if he'd take it or not," Sanchez said. "But it was right down the middle and (Flores) was waiting for it."

An inning later, Flores laced an RBI single and Ryan Church lofted a sacrifice fly to plate Wily Mo Pena, who was hit by a pitch, for a 3-1 advantage.

"Every time I can help the team offensively, I'll be happy," Flores said. "It's great that I hit that home run."

Ryan Zimmerman added some insurance in the seventh with a run-scoring double against Giants reliever Scott Atchison to make it 4-1.

In his first start since September 27, 2006, Sanchez allowed three runs and six hits in 5 1/3 innings while striking out seven and walking one. The lefthander was recalled from Class AAA Fresno prior to the game to replace Tim Lincecum.