Curtis Mead homers, Andrew Alvarez shines in relief as Nationals blank Giants 3-0 to avoid sweep

WASHINGTON (AP) — Curtis Mead hit a two-run homer, Andrew Alvarez worked 4 1/3 sharp innings in relief and the Washington Nationals beat the San Francisco Giants 3-0 on Sunday to avoid a three-game sweep. Alvarez (1-0), recalled earlier Sunday from Triple-A Rochester, allowed three hits, struck out five and walked none. Keibert Ruiz had a run-scoring double and a single for Washington, which earned its first shutout since Sept. 1, 2025 against Miami. San Francisco was blanked for the fourth time this season. Miles Mikolas replaced opener PJ Poulin with two on and two outs in the first inning and worked four innings. He allowed four hits, struck out four, walked one and lowered his ERA from 11.49 to 9.15. Rafael Devers and Drew Gilbert had two hits each for the Giants, who were seeking their first four-game win streak of the season under first-year manager Tony Vitello. The Giants went 0 for 10 with runners in scoring position and left 10 men on base. Robbie Ray (2-3) allowed three runs on seven hits over six innings. He struck out seven and walked one. Washington scored three runs in the fifth. Nasim Nuñez beat out a drag bunt and stole second. Ruiz hit a line drive to left-center, and left fielder Heliot Ramos couldn't come up with the diving catch as Nuñez scored. Mead then lined a first-pitch changeup to left for a two-run homer. San Francisco's (0 for 4) went hitless for the first time in 14 career games at Nationals Park.