Nats take finale, series behind Roark, Ramos

WASHINGTON — The Nationals and Giants found themselves in a pitchers’ duel on Sunday afternoon at Nationals Park. When it was over, the Nationals won a squeaker, 1-0, thanks to an opposite-field home run by Wilson Ramos.

Giants left-hander Madison Bumgarner (10-7) was dominating the Nationals for most of the game. Entering the seventh inning, he allowed just one hit. He allowed his second and last hit in the seventh when Ramos hit an 0-1 pitch over the right-field wall. It was Ramos’ 18th home run, a career high.

“I was trying to stay relaxed,” Ramos said. “I knew Bumgarner was throwing a big game, and he had been up until that point. I was trying to sit on one particular pitch. I was fortunate enough to get that pitch in the zone. I initially didn’t think it was going out of the ballpark. … Luckily, it did and gave us the lead. It ended up winning the game for us.”

• Ramos shows ‘confidence’ with game-winning HR

Right-hander Tanner Roark (12-6) showed once again that he is a workhorse, pitching seven innings and striking out five batters. No one in the Major Leagues has thrown seven or more shutout innings more often this season than Roark, who has now done it seven times.

“He pitched out of trouble all day, and the Giants left nine men on base, but he made the pitches when he had to,” manager Dusty Baker said. “He is not amazing us any more. We’ve come to expect it.”

Shawn Kelley and Mark Melancon blanked the Giants the rest of the way, with Melancon getting his first save as a member of the Nationals.

By winning the season series, 4-3, the Nationals will have home-field advantage if the two teams face each other in the postseason.

MOMENTS THAT MATTERED

Nice catch, Ben: In the seventh inning, the Giants had runners on second and third with two outs. Brandon Belt hit a ball that went over the head of center fielder Ben Revere, who …

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