Johnny Cueto loses as Giants fall to Nationals 4-2

SAN FRANCISCO - Ryan Zimmerman had two hits and scored a run, Trea Turner added two hits and an RBI and the Washington Nationals beat the Giants 4-2 on Thursday night in the opener of a key four-game series between division leaders.

Bryce Harper doubled in a run while Anthony Rendon had two hits to help the Nationals beat All-Star Game starter Johnny Cueto (13-3) in manager Dusty Baker’s return to AT&T Park. Baker won 840 games as the Giants manager from 1993-2002, taking the team to the World Series in ’02.

San Francisco scored a run in the ninth to pull to within 4-2 before Shawn Kelley struck out Angel Pagan with the bases loaded to end it and get his fifth save.

The two teams went into the game with identical 59-42 records before Washington won to join the Chicago Cubs (61-40) as the only teams in the majors with at least 60 wins.

Nationals starter Tanner Roark (10-6) allowed one run over seven innings, striking out three and walking three.