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NLDS Game 1, Giants vs Nationals final score: Giants hold on for 3-2 victory

By Hayden Kane

Oct 3, 2014; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals second baseman Asdrubal Cabrera (3) hits a solo home run in the seventh inning against the San Francisco Giants in game one of the 2014 NLDS playoff baseball game at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 3, 2014; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals second baseman Asdrubal Cabrera (3) hits a solo home run in the seventh inning against the San Francisco Giants in game one of the 2014 NLDS playoff baseball game at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /
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90. 3. 40. Final. 2

The San Francisco Giants held off a late rally from the Washington Nationals and won Game 1 on the road.

The Giants did what the Giants always do. They shut down the opposing team’s lineup, they kept the game close, and they came up with just enough clutch offense to defeat the Nationals by a final score of 3-2.

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The fans in Washington waited all the way until the 7th inning of this game for their team to give them something to cheer about. They finally had that reason to go wild thanks to a Bryce Harper home run deep into the night, followed by a Asdrubal Cabrera home run with an authoritative bat-flip to boot.

With all of that excitement in the stands and in the Washington dugout, the Giants did a remarkable job to keep the Nationals to two runs and hold on for the victory.

Jake Peavy‘s start for the Giants will be remembered for two things: nice, well-located pitches and lots of yelling. Peavy gestured wildly to himself, yelled enthusiastically to his teammates, barked in frustration, and pitched 5 2/3 innings of outstanding baseball.

Peavy then handed the game to the Giants’ bullpen, and Bruce Bochy worked his usual magic. The Giants’ manager used five pitchers to record the final 13 outs of this game.

As for their offense, the Giants scored runs the way that they always do. They pieced together rallies and came through with clutch hits. Joe Panik, Brandon Belt, and Buster Posey all delivered RBI singles.

Stephen Strasburg pitched well for the Nationals, though he hit a few more speed bumps than he would have liked. Strasburg lasted 5.0 innings, allowing two runs and scattering eight hits. He did well to limit the damage and give his team a chance to win.

As far as narratives go, the building momentum of the Wild Card teams in both leagues might be rising to prominence in the 2014 MLB postseason. The San Francisco Giants entered their series against the Washington Nationals as the underdogs, yet they looked like a team quite comfortable under the bright lights of the playoffs on Friday.

The Nationals will try to earn a split at home on Saturday in Game 2 of this series in Washington.

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