Washington Nationals Bryce Harper hits a solo home run in the seventh inning against the San Francisco Giants during Game 4 of baseball’s NL Division Series in San Francisco, Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2014. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
A wild pitch ended the Washington Nationals’ run in the National League playoffs, providing the go-ahead run and a 3-2 victory to the San Francisco Giants in Game 4 of a National League Division Series on Oct. 7 at AT&T Park in San Francisco.
Washington Nationals’ Ian Desmond, right, slides safely into third base past San Francisco Giants third baseman Pablo Sandoval, left, before scoring on the same play during the seventh inning of Game 3 of baseball’s NL Division Series in San Francisco, Monday, Oct. 6, 2014. At center is third base umpire Brian Knight. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
Starter Gio Gonzalez pitched four innings for the Nationals, but was roughed up in the bottom of the second inning when he surrendered two runs to stake the Giants to a 2-0 lead. San Francisco starter Ryan Vogelsong delivered a very solid performance, allowingjust two hits and one run, a Bryce Harper RBI double in the fifth inning that made it 2-1.
Giants second baseman Joe Panik scored on the bases-loaded wild pitch in the bottom of the seventh inning from Nationals reliever Aaron Barrett. The costly mistake came just after Harper hit a solo homerun off San Francisco reliever Hunter Strickland to tie the game at 2-2 earlier in the inning.
Giants relievers Sergio Romo and Santiago Casilla combined to shut down the Nationals’ offense, closing out the game with two flawless innings.
San Francisco will enjoy several days of rest before facing the St. Louis Cardinals in Game 1 of the best-of-seven National League Championship Series on Oct. 11.