Nationals stay alive, beat Giants in SF

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- Doug Fister pitched seven shutout innings and the Washington Nationals took advantage of Madison Bumgarner's one off-target throw, staving off elimination in the NL Division Series with a 4-1 win against the San Francisco Giants on Monday.

Fister dazzled again in San Francisco, this time in a sensational pitcher's duel with Bumgarner until the Nationals finally delivered after they were held scoreless for 21 innings. Washington scored two runs on Bumgarner's throwing error and Bryce Harper punctuated the victory with a solo home run in the ninth.

Drew Storen allowed to the first two batters to reach in the ninth but shook off his postseason struggles, allowing a run in closing it out as Washington forced a Game 4 on Tuesday night.

Now, the 96-win Nationals will send left-hander Gio Gonzalez up against San Francisco right-hander Ryan Vogelsong.

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