Amber Searls-USA TODAY Sports
Kevin Gausman was not perfect for a change — but even if he were, the Giants’ offense would have needed help to make him a winner.
The Giants’ ace allowed multiple earned runs for the first time since April 13 — a span of eight brilliant starts — and their offense could provide none in a 2-0, seven-inning loss of the first game of a doubleheader at Nationals Park on Saturday afternoon.
With the rash of injuries, the Giants (39-24) have cooled a bit, alternating wins and losses for a week. They are a game up on the Dodgers and three up on the Padres before the Giants played a second game and Los Angeles and San Diego played a first.
Concerning has been the sudden lack of offense, a unit that has scored four runs in three games. In 16 innings in Washington, they have scored two runs on nine hits, striking out 20 times without a walk.
They could do little off righty Erick Fedde, who went five much-needed innings for the Nationals and put them in better position for the second leg of the doubleheader.
The Giants put the leadoff hitters on in the first and third, but stranded LaMonte Wade Jr. at first and Gausman at second. In the third, Wade, with a 3-1 count, without an out and with Gausman on first, pushed a bunt that went for a sacrifice, a strange play for a team that wants Wade to hit for power.
After Gausman’s hit — their fourth of the day — the Giants didn’t record another baserunner until Buster Posey singled with two outs in the sixth. He, too, was stranded, with Brandon Belt’s third strikeout of the day. The Giants left four on base and went 0-for-3 with runners in scoring position, including a hard-hit double play from Jason Vosler.
Gausman put the Giants into an immediate hole that they never escaped from, with Kyle Schwarber powering a deep home run off a down-the-middle fastball in the first. The Nationals scratched across insurance in the fourth, when Mike Yastrzemski — just activated off the IL — lost a Josh Harrison drive in the Washington sun, which went for an RBI double. Jose Alvarez pitched two solid innings in relief.
It was not a poor start from Gausman — two runs in four innings — but was a brief one, pinch-hit for as Gabe Kapler sought offense in the shortened game.
That offense could not be found.