SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - With his team chasing the Chicago Cubs for the best record in baseball, Washington manager Dusty Baker is willing to do whatever it takes to keep the Nationals close - even if it means pulling closer Jonathan Papelbon in the ninth inning.
While it might not be the move he cherishes, it’s one Baker may make even more down the stretch as Papelbon struggles through one of his roughest stretches of the season.
Ryan Zimmerman had two hits and scored a run, Trea Turner added two hits and an RBI and the Nationals beat the San Francisco Giants 4-2 on Thursday night in the opener of a key four-game series between division leaders.