WASHINGTON — Howie Kendrick closed out one long day for the Washington Nationals with one big swing.
Kendrick hit a game-ending grand slam in the 11th inning, and the Nationals beat the San Francisco Giants 6-2 on Sunday in the finale of a day-night doubleheader.
Daniel Murphy and Ryan Zimmerman also homered for Washington in the makeup of Friday night’s rainout. Max Scherzer struck out 10 in seven innings and Matt Albers (6-2) pitched two scoreless innings for the win.
San Francisco took the opener 4-2, with Chris Stratton striking out a career-high 10 in 6 2/3 shutout innings.
It was Washington’s first day since slugger Bryce Harper got hurt Saturday when he slipped on first base. The All-Star has a significant bone bruise in his left knee but no ligament damage, general manager Mike Rizzo said. The Nationals hope he can return this season.
Asked for his initial reaction when he tumbled, Harper said, “I don’t like wet bases.” His recovery time is not clear.
“Ten days or two weeks is a lot better than thinking the whole season and the postseason,” Nationals manager Dusty Baker said.
Harper is batting .326 with 29 homers and 87 RBIs this season.
“It’s just a freak accident, freak situation. I think (the season) flashed before your eyes and you realize there’s nothing you can do,” Harper said. “I think we got the best possible news that we could.”
Murphy singled off Albert Suarez (0-2) leading off the 11th and raced to third on Zimmerman’s bloop hit. After Suarez intentionally walked Anthony Rendon, Kendrick hit a drive to left for his first career grand slam.
“It was pretty cool, I’m not going to lie,” said Kendrick, who was acquired in a trade with Philadelphia last month.
Scherzer, who tossed a five-hitter in a 3-1 victory at San Francisco on May 31, allowed two runs and five hits. The two-time Cy Young Award winner has not dropped a decision since June 21, but he lost the lead on Pablo Sandoval’s solo homer in the seventh.
Washington’s defense saved Scherzer a run in the fourth. Hunter Pence’s single drove in Denard Span, but center fielder Michael A. Taylor threw out Joe Panik trying to score from second.
Matt Moore pitched seven innings of two-run ball for San Francisco and struck out a season-high nine.
Stratton (1-2) allowed five hits and one walk in his fourth major league start in the opener, and Sam Dyson got three outs for his ninth save in 14 chances.
Washington did not advance a runner to scoring position until the seventh.
“I thought we attacked the zone pretty good today,” Stratton said. “I thought in the past I had nibbled around a little bit, so I didn’t want to do that.”
Panik had three hits, including a two-run single in San Francisco’s three-run second.
Rendon hit a two-run homer in the eighth against Hunter Strickland. San Francisco’s A.J. Cole (1-3) allowed three runs and six hits in six innings.
JEERS
Fans loudly booed Strickland when he emerged from the bullpen in both games. The reliever hit Harper with a pitch on May 29, leading to a bench-clearing brawl and suspensions for both players.
“I said a standing ovation was what he was going to get, so I was a little surprised,” Giants manager Bruce Bochy joked after the day game. “But I’m sure that’s what he expected there.”
TRAINER’S ROOM
Giants: Taylor’s throw home ended up in catcher Matt Wieters’ glove, but after apparently hitting Panik in the head. Panik remained in the game, but was “getting slight-headed there at the end,” said Bochy, who ruled the second baseman out for Monday’s game.
Nationals: Taylor was activated from the 10-day disabled list after missing 29 games with a right oblique strain. Taylor entered the opener as a defensive replacement for Brian Goodwin, who left with leg tightness. … RHP Stephen Strasburg (elbow nerve impingement) is scheduled to throw five innings during a rehab start Monday for Class A Potomac. The All-Star has been sidelined since leaving his July 23 start at Arizona after two innings.
UP NEXT
Giants: LHP Ty Blach (8-7) starts Monday’s series opener at Miami.
Nationals: After a day off, Washington hosts the Los Angeles Angels on Tuesday in the start of a two-game series.
