WASHINGTON (AP) — Austin Slater smacked a three-run homer as part of a seven-run second inning against struggling Washington starter Patrick Corbin, and the San Francisco Giants cruised past the Nationals 7-1 on Friday night.
Slater, hitting .105 coming into the game, lined Corbin’s 2-1 sinker to right center with one out to make it 4-0.
Brandon Crawford doubled leading off the second and then capped the scoring with a three-run double just beyond the reach of a diving Lane Thomas in left-center. That chased Corbin (0-3), who allowed seven runs on seven hits and three walks while recording just five outs.
The left-hander who helped the Nationals win the 2019 World Series has been one of the worst starting pitchers in the majors since. Corbin went 9-16 with a 5.82 ERA last season and Friday’s outing sent his ERA to 11.20 in three starts this year.
Jakob Junis (1-0), called up earlier in the day from Triple-A Sacramento, tossed five scoreless innings of relief in his Giants debut. He allowed three hits and struck out four. Opener Sam Long pitched two scoreless innings.
Maikel Franco hit his second homer of the season for Washington. Juan Soto singled in the first and his third-inning double was his 500th career hit, but he was thrown out trying to stretch it into a triple.
Four Washington relievers combined for 7 1/3 scoreless innings.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Giants: RHP Anthony DeSclafani (right ankle inflammation) was placed on the 10-day injured list. … OF Steven Duggar (left oblique strain) was placed on the 60-day IL. … OF LaMonte Wade Jr. (left knee inflammation) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Sacramento on Saturday.
Nationals: RHP Stephen Strasburg (thoracic outlet syndrome surgery last year) and RHP Joe Ross (right elbow bone spur removal) each threw a 30-pitch bullpen session.
UP NEXT
Giants LH Alex Wood (1-0, 1.93 ERA) is 5-4 with a 2.77 ERA in 13 career starts against Washington, the last coming with the Reds in 2019 when he allowed three runs on six hits over five innings in a loss. The Nationals haven’t announced a starting pitcher for Saturday.
