A throwing error from San Francisco Giants pitcher Madison Bumgarner gave the Washington Nationals all the runs they would need to stay alive in the National League Division Series. The Nationals defeated the Giants 4-1 in Game 3 Monday afternoon to pull to within one game at 2-1 and force a Game 4 Tuesday night.
In a scoreless tie with no outs in the top of the seventh inning, Nationals catcher Wilson Ramos laid down a bunt with runners at first and second. Bumgarner attempted to get the force out at third but threw the ball down the left-field line. Both Ian Desmond and Bryce Harper scored on the play with Ramos advancing to second.
Asdrubal Cabrera followed with a single to left to drive in Ramos and put the Nationals ahead 3-0.
In the top of the ninth, Harper launched his second home run of the series, a tape-measure shot to right-center that nearly bounced into McCovey Cove to give the Nationals some insurance.
The Giants started to mount a rally in the bottom of the ninth, getting runners at second and third with nobody out. However, they scored only one time on Brandon Crawford's sacrifice fly that brought home Pablo Sandoval. Drew Storen then got Travis Ishikawa to ground out to end the game.
Doug Fister (W:1-0) pitched seven shut-out innings of four-hit ball to earn the win. He walked three and struck out three. Tyler Clippard and Storen each pitched an inning in relief with Storen allowing the Giants' lone run.
Bumgarner (L: 0-1) suffered the loss thanks in large part to his error. He pitched seven innings and allowed three runs, two earned. He also walked one and struck out six.
The Giants lead the best-of-five series two games to one. Game 4 will take place Tuesday at 9:00 P.M.. EDT. Gio Gonzalez will pitch for Washington while Ryan Vogelsong will take the ball for San Francisco. The Giants will clinch the series with a win. Should Washington win, then Game 5 will take place Thursday at 5:00 P.M. in Washington, D.C.