Tempers flared when the Washington Nationals believed the San Francisco Giants were trying to run up the score in the ninth inning of Friday’s game.
The Giants led 7-1 with a runner on first when Brandon Crawford hit a single to shallow left on a hit and run. Thairo Estrada rounded the bases and headed home before being thrown out at the plate by Alcides Escobar.
Escobar took exception and screamed at the Giants dugout as the inning ended.
After the game, Escobar “respectfully declined” to comment on the incident.
However, Nationals manager Dave Martinez voiced his displeasure of the Giants attempting a hit-and-run up by six runs.
“They did some things that we felt like was uncalled for,” Martinez said per the San Francisco Chronicle’s Susan Slusser. But you guys can ask Gabe Kapler about that.”
Martinez added he talked to his team.
Giants manager Gabe Kapler explained his position on the play.
“We scored seven runs in an inning tonight. They have Josh Bell and Juan Soto and Nelson Cruz in the middle of their lineup. We know they’re capable of scoring seven runs in an inning as well. This is the way that we think makes the most sense to attack series,” Kapler said per MLB.com’s Maria I. Guardado.
San Francisco won the game 7-1.
Giants outfielder Austin Slater chimed in as well.
Maybe it was just frustration of how the season has gone for the Nationals? The loss dropped Washington to 6-10 on the season.
The Giants scored seven runs in the second inning. All seven runs were charged to Nationals starter Patrick Corbin. Washington’s offense was ice cold with the exception of Juan Soto, who had two hits, and Maikel Franco homered in the eighth.
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