Tyler Fitzgerald's latest home run puts him in historic company as Giants defeat Nationals

Tyler Fitzgerald’s 12th home run of the season, one that easily cleared the left field wall in Washington, was special for several reasons.

Yes, the first-inning blast was the first lead-off home run of Fitzgerald’s young career.

But it was also his 11th homer in his last 17 games, one that put Fitzgerald in historic company as the San Francisco Giants defeated the Washington Nationals 4-1.

Since 1901, the only other shortstops to hit that many home runs in such few games are Alex Rodriguez, Troy Tulowitzki, and Trea Turner … and Tyler Fitzgerald.

“I was just trying to slow it down and get a good fastball to hit, and he threw it right where I wanted it,” Fitzgerald said on the KNBR radio broadcast after the game.

Fitzgerald’s hitting prowess has been one of the pleasant surprises of what has been an up-and-down season.

It has had hot hitting stretches, cold streaks, poor pitching, uneven fielding and a rash of injuries that have necessitated shuffling the lineup.

But through most of that, excellence from pitcher Logan Webb (9-8) and a losing record have been the two constants.

Webb’s great play remained unchanged in the Giants victory.

After throwing a complete game shutout against the Oakland A’s, Webb took advantage of a 4-0 lead – sparked by Fitzgerald’s home run – to speed through five innings.

Webb went 5 2/3 innings, allowing just four hits and striking out four. Keibert Ruiz gave him trouble in the sixth, drawing a 13-pitch walk, but he was otherwise excellent.

But while Webb was his usual outstanding self until a rocky sixth inning, the team’s ever-present losing record was shown the door after nine innings.

The Giants finally shed their losing mark for the first time since May 31, improving to 57-57 and remaining within striking distance of the last Wild Card spot after getting seven hits and four earned runs off Washington starter Patrick Corbin.

After rookie phenom James Wood singled in one run against Webb with two outs and another runner was able to get on, manager Bob Melvin pulled Webb.

Ryan Walker came in and got Alex Call to fly out to rookie outfielder Jerar Encarnacion on a slider to get out of the jam.

Encarnacion also impressed with his bat, going 2 for 4 as the Giants racked up nine hits compared to Washington’s six.

Fitzgerald’s lead off home run gave all-star Webb an early cushion, and then San Francisco’s steady starter enjoyed even more run support in the third inning.

With runners on the corners, Matt Chapman belted Corbin’s slow slider into the stands with a 409-foot home run that left his bat at 108 MPH. It was Chapman’s first home run in Nationals Park.

Camilo Doval saw his first action in eight days and got his 21st save of the season by striking out the side.

Undefeated rookie Hayden Birdsong (3-0, 2.97 ERA) is expected to start Tuesday’s game, and then Blake Snell (1-3, 4.29 ERA) should make his first start since throwing a no-hitter on Friday.

Injury updates

— Pitcher Tristan Beck threw a bullpen in Arizona, and is scheduled to pitch for Triple-A Sacramento on Thursday.

— Wilmer Flores, suffering from right knee tendonitis, travelled to Los Angeles to undergo what the team described as a Tenex procedure on his right knee.

— Pitcher Tyler Matzek is scheduled to throw a 20-pitch live BP as he works through a left elbow strain, and Keaton Winn will continue to rehab through his right elbow inflammation in San Francisco.

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