Fedde, Nats top Giants in opener

WASHINGTON — Erick Fedde returned after nearly a month on the COVID-19 injured list and pitched five sharp innings, Kyle Schwarber hit a leadoff homer, and the Washington Nationals beat the San Francisco Giants 2-0 Saturday to open a doubleheader.

The Nationals handed Kevin Gausman (7-1) his first loss this season. He began the day with a 1.27 ERA, but Schwarber quickly put a dent in that impressive number.

Washington is now 1-5 in seven-inning games this year after Thursday’s rainout led to the day-night split doubleheader. The NL West-leading Giants are 1-2 in seveninning games.

Fedde (4-4) last pitched on May 16 and was placed on the COVID-19 list three days later after testing positive. He rejoined the rotation by limiting the Giants to four hits while striking out seven and walking none.

“When they called me and told me, I was shocked,” Fedde said about his diagnosis.

“Obviously I’m not a scientist, but I was vaccinated and I felt great. I’m more than thankful I didn’t pass it around the team,“he said.

Brad Hand pitched a perfect seventh for his 11th save. Schwarber hit his sixth career leadoff homer, connecting for a drive into the second deck in left field. A day after being shut out by San Francisco, Schwarber broke the scoreless string with his 10th home run this season, tied with Trea Turner for the team lead.

Josh Harrison’s RBI double in the fourth made it 2-0. Giants right fielder Mike Yastrzemski got twisted around trying to make the catch which resulted in the ball hitting the wall, allowing Juan Soto to score from first.

Gausman allowed two runs on three hits while striking out four in four innings, and exited with a 1.43 ERA.

“Not how I wanted to start the game, obviously,” Gausman said after his shortest outing of the season.

“They got me early. We were in a hole right from the get-go,“he said.

METS 4, PADRES 1: Marcus Stroman pitched one-run ball into the seventh inning, and host New York beat slumping San Diego. Stroman (6-4) pitched 61⁄3 innings, allowing six hits and walking one while tying a season high with eight strikeouts.

RAYS 5, ORIOLES 4: Joey Wendle hit an RBI double during a three-run first inning, and AL East-leading Tampa Bay handed Baltimore its record-setting 14th consecutive road loss.

Nick Wass / Associated Press Nationals starter Erick Fedde delivered five sharp innings in his return from the COVID-19 injury list.