SAN FRANCISCO — With a chance to close out the National League Division Series on Tuesday night, San Francisco Giants right-hander Santiago Casilla pitched carefully to Washington Nationals left fielder Bryce Harper.
And rightfully so.
Harper was the only Nationals hitter worth fearing in the series.
Center fielder Denard Span, right fielder Jayson Werth and first baseman Adam LaRoche went 0-for-12 in the Game 4 flame-out, capping a series in which they hit a cumulative 4-for-54 (.074).
A little farther down the lineup, shortstop Ian Desmond, catcher Wilson Ramos and second baseman Asdrubal Cabrera weren’t much better. They combined for two hits Tuesday and went 8-for-50 (.160) in the series.
Even third baseman Anthony Rendon, hitless in four at-bats in Game 4, was relatively punchless in the series despite a .368 average. All seven of his hits in the series were singles.
Thank goodness for Harper, who belted three home runs — including one into the San Francisco Bay in Game 4 — and drove in four of Washington’s nine runs in the four games.
“We’re proud of him,” Nationals manager Matt Williams said. “I know that he’s got great talent. I know that at this point, he is healthy, and certainly now, looking forward with great anticipation to next year.”