Despite six solid innings from lefty John Lannan, the Washington Nationals (12-14) provided their starting pitcher little offensive support and fell 2-1 this afternoon to the San Francisco Giants (13-13) at Nats Park.
The turning point came in the top of the seventh inning, as Lannan walked Aubrey Huff with the bases loaded to force in what turned out to be the winning run.
Giants starter Jonathan Sanchez was the definition of the baseball cliche "effectively wild", walking six but striking out seven and allowing only two hits and one run in his five innings of work. The Nats had multiple chances to capitalize on the young lefty's wildness in the first two innings, but came up with only one run in the second.
To say Rick Ankiel was the offensive star for the Nationals would be selling the new Washington outfielder extremely short, as his two hits in four at bats were the only two hits Washington had all game.
Today's loss is made significantly worse by the news star Washington third baseman Ryan Zimmerman will lose at least six weeks due to surgery on an abdominal tear. While the Nationals starting pitching continues to do their job in every game so far this season, an anemic offense now needs to find their groove minus one of their most productive bats.