Anthony DeSclafani and Giants drop first game to Nationals, lose 5-1

The SF Giants dropped their first game against the Washington Nationals Monday night 5-1. Anthony DeSclafani, who's had a remarkable last few outings, looked uneasy on the mound to start the game, allowing five runs off seven hits in the first inning alone. He put together six solid scoreless innings to follow, but the damage had already been done.

DeSclafani, whose last two outings resulted in wins for the Giants, allowed just two runs off nine hits over those 14.0 innings pitched, with nine strikeouts. But in the first inning against the Nationals on Monday, DeSclafani gave up three straight singles to Lane Thomas, Luis García, and Keibert Ruiz before catching a break on a baserunning error by Ruiz for the out. Joey Meneses would tally another single for the Nationals, putting the score at 1-0. DeSclafani then allowed another two singles and a double, bringing the score to 5-0 before getting Stone Garrett out swinging.

The Giants, with their work cut out for them, and quite a lead to overcome after the first inning breakdown from DeSclafani, led off with LaMonte Wade Jr. He bunted for a single, continuing to show off his ability to get on base, but an uncharacteristic strikeout from Thairo Estrada and a double play off the bat of Joc Pederson ended the inning. The Giants’ run drought would continue until the ninth inning, and they would hit into three more double plays.

Despite his very shaky first inning start, the rest of DeSclafani’s outing went far more smoothly. With strong defense behind him, including a stunning catch by Mitch Haniger to end the seventh inning. Allowing only three more hits, a walk, and a baserunner off a hit batsman over the next six innings, he kept the drama primarily in the top frame of the game.