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Bumgarner HR, fans 14, pitches 3-hitter
giants pix
San Francisco pitcher Madison Bumgarner delivers a pitch in the fifth inning of his complete-game shutout over the Washington Nationals, 5-0, on Sunday. Bumgarner gave up only three hits to Washington, struck out 14, and hit a home run in picking up his 14th win of the season. - photo by WAYNE THALLANDER/The Bulletin

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Madison Bumgarner homered and doubled, struck out 14 and pitched a three-hitter as the San Francisco Giants beat Washington 5-0 Sunday, the Nationals’ sixth straight loss.

Hunter Pence also homered as the playoff-contending Giants finished off a four-game sweep.

Washington matched its longest skid of the season. A popular pick before opening day to win the World Series, the Nationals fell below .500 at 58-59.

Bumgarner (14-6) held the Nats hitless into the fifth inning. The World Series MVP matched his career high for strikeouts while pitching his first shutout of the year and fourth overall in the regular season.

Bumgarner hit an RBI double early and later connected for his fourth home run of the season and 10th of his career.

The big lefty permitted just three singles, and no runner made it past second base.

Joe Ross (3-5) struck out the first four Giants and threw three perfect innings before running into trouble in the fourth.

Ross lasted a season-low four-plus innings, allowing four runs on six hits. He walked one and struck out six.

The Giants hit 14 doubles in the series, their most in a set of any length since hitting 15 in September 1971 against Cincinnati.

Brandon Belt hit an RBI double in the fourth and scored on Pence’s homer.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Nationals: OF Bryce Harper was back in the lineup less than 24 hours after fouling a ball off the top of his foot. Harper reported it was still painful after Saturday night’s game but that he was encouraged that X-rays were negative. “I got it pretty good,” Harper said. “It felt terrible at the time.”

Giants: OF Angel Pagan (right patella tendinitis) and 2B Joe Panik (lower back inflammation) will go to Arizona to continue their rehabs when the Giants leave on their road trip. ... RHP Mike Leake is set to come off the disabled list in time to start Tuesday’s game against the Cardinals.

UP NEXT

Nationals: Following an off-day, the Nationals hope to salvage their road trip when they begin a three-game series at Colorado.

Giants: RHP Chris Heston (11-7, 3.38) starts Monday night as the Giants open a road trip at NL Central-leading St. Louis and starter Michael Wacha.