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WASHINGTON -- A Washington homestand that began with three losses to Atlanta was about to culminate in a six-game winning streak and the Nationals at .500 for the first time since mid-July. One swing of the bat rewrote that happy ending. Pinch-hitter Hector Sanchez hit a three-run homer with two outs in the ninth inning and the San Francisco Giants beat the Nationals 4-3. Down to his last strike, Sanchez connected off closer Rafael Soriano (2-3) on a 3-2 pitch. The drive landed just inside the right field foul pole in the second deck. "That one hurt. That one hurt," Washington manager Davey Johnson said. The loss kept the Nationals (59-61) from reaching .500 for the first time since July 20. Ian Desmond doubled home two runs and Jayson Werth added two hits for the Nationals. Buster Posey led off the ninth with a single against Soriano and Roger Kieschnick drew a two-out walk. That set the stage for Sanchez, who was pinch hitting for Javier Lopez. Soriano, pitching for the third straight day, got ahead in the count 0-2, but Sanchez worked the count to 3-2 on a pitch that umpire Jim Joyce ruled high, but that Soriano felt was a strike. Sanchez homered on the next offering. "I try to throw (a) cutter in. I think it was a bad pitch," Soriano said of the home run pitch. "At the same time, I think the game (should have been over). That (2-2) pitch, to me, I think it (was) a strike. I think thats when the game changed." Johnson pointed to the walk to Kieschnick. "Basically (Joyce) called the low strike all day and didnt call the high strike. He was consistent with that," Johnson said. "He gave a lot of borderline pitches low. It wasnt that pitch. Walking the left fielder and he had Posey two strikes and threw a hanger. But walking the left fielder." Lopez (2-2) pitched 1 2-3 scoreless innings of relief to earn the win. Sergio Romo worked a scoreless bottom half for his 29th save. The loss spoiled Dan Harens six-inning, one-run effort. Since coming off the 15-day disabled list on July 8, Haren has a 3.20 ERA in seven starts. "Dan did a great job. Hes been great," said Desmond, who reflected on the winning streak. "A lot more positives than negatives, but right now I think were just kind of resting on the negative. Shake that off and well be ready to go tomorrow." Brandon Belt homered for the Giants and extended his hitting streak to 10 games. Ryan Vogelsong allowed three runs in the third inning, all with two outs. San Francisco snapped a three-game losing streak. "It doesnt get any bigger than that. Youre down to your last strike and he hit it," manager Bruce Bochy said one day after a Giants ninth-inning rally fell short in 6-5 loss. "But the boys needed this. To come up short last night after fighting so hard there in the ninth. Save a little sanity here." Vogelsong laboured during a 39-pitch third inning. Desmonds double into the gap in left-centre drove home both Denard Span and Werth. Adam LaRoche then followed with an RBI single to score Desmond and put the Nationals up 3-0. In the seventh inning, LaRoches line drive struck Giants reliever Sandy Rosario in the chest. Rosario immediately left the game and was replaced by Lopez. Bochy said Rosario has a bruised sternum and is day-to-day. San Franciscos struggling offence did little against Haren, who during one stretch allowed just two runners to reach base out of 14 batters. One of those runners came via error and was erased by a double play. Belt snapped that stretch with a home run in the sixth inning to cut the deficit to 3-1. But Haren escaped the inning without further damage. He threw 98 pitches and gave up three hits with two walks and three strikeouts. NOTES: Washington agreed to terms Thursday with international free agent 3B Anderson Franco, 16, of the Dominican Republic. . The Nationals recalled RHP Drew Storen from Triple-A Syracuse and optioned RHP Ryan Mattheus to Syracuse. ... Nationals C Wilson Ramos (strained hamstring) missed his second straight game. Washington manager Davey Johnson said Ramos will return to the lineup Friday in Atlanta. . The Nats begin a three-game series with the NL East-leading Braves. RHP Taylor Jordan (1-3, 4.14) opposes LHP Alex Wood (2-2, 2.78). Jason Jennings Jersey . Lack made 20 saves for his third shutout of the season as the Canucks blanked the St. Louis Blues 1-0 in the first post-Olympic game for both teams night. Vinny Castilla Jersey . PAUL, Minn. https://www.cheaprockiesjerseys.us/1474t-yency-almonte-jersey-rockies.html .4 million title. Ryan Riess emerged with the title after a session in which he started behind, but used expert skill to gather the chips to his side amid the unpredictability of no-limit Texas Hold em. Riess put his final opponent Jay Farber all-in with an Ace-King. Curtis Leskanic Jersey . Kiriasis and brakeman Franziska Fritz finished two runs in one minute 55.41 seconds -- a mere 0.01 seconds ahead of Meyers and Lolo Jones, who likely bolstered her Olympic hopes by helping give USA-1 a huge push in the second heat. Jorge De La Rosa Jersey . Each of Houstons starters scored in double figures as the Rockets improved to 2-0 against the Spurs this season, with both victories coming on the road. They also moved within 3 1/2 games of San Antonio (22-7) for the lead the Southwest Division. ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- During Tyrod Taylors bid to establish himself as the Bills unquestioned leader, its understandable for the quarterback to bristle when challenged about his long-term future in Buffalo.That was the case last week when Taylor gave a terse answer after being asked to assess his progress midway through his second season as Buffalos starter.You all are going to write what you all want to write anyways, he said. So thats up to you all.Taylor provided a more assertive response with his performance in Buffalos 31-25 loss at Seattle on Monday night.Though the Bills (4-5) didnt win entering their bye week off, Taylor enjoyed what was regarded as one of his most complete outings. Playing on a national prime-time stage and in one of the NFLs most intimidating environments, Taylor went 27 of 38 for 289 yards with two touchdowns (including one rushing) and an interception. He oversaw an offense that produced 425 yards, the most Seattles allowed at home in nearly a year. And the Bills finished with 30 first downs, including 16 passing, their most in two years.He was lights out, running back LeSean McCoy said of Taylor. That was probably one of his better games and it sucked that we couldnt get him a win.The question remains whether this was Taylors coming-out party or another blip on an inconsistent resume for a quarterback with a 12-11 record.What drives the discussion further is Taylors contract status. Despite signing a lucrative five-year extension in August, Taylors future is not secure. The Bills can opt out of the deal after this season.The front-office hasnt provided any hints, though coach Rex Ryan continues to praise his starter.I think the country got to see the kind of ability that this young man has, Ryan said following the game at Seattle. Tyrod plays well every game. I wish I wasnt the only one that sees it.At 6-foot-1, Taylor lacks the prototypical size of an NFL quarterback, though he makes up for his limitations with his dynamic scrambling ability.He ranks 24th in the NFL with 1,769 yards passing; is 25th with a 60.4 completion percentage among players with 100 or more attempts; and his 87.7 passer rating is 31st. On the positive side, Taylor leads NFL quarterbacks with 362 yards rushing and ranks 10th in attempts (268) versus interceptions (three).Whats difficult to take into account is how injuries to Buffalos top three receivers have affected Taylors production. Sammy Watkins has missed seven games. Robert Woods has been hobbled by a right foot injury. Marquise Goodwin has been in and out of the lineup with several injuries. And that doesnt include McCoy being hampered for a few weeks by a left hamstring problem.Another issue is the time its taken Taylor to adapt since Anthony Lynn took over as offensive coordinator after Greg Roman was fired two games into the seeason.ddddddddddddI look at the quarterback play and see if the balls going where its supposed to go and on time. And hes done a pretty good job of that, Lynn said. He has missed some throws, dont get me wrong, but all quarterbacks miss throws, so I think hes playing fine.Is he playing well enough to influence victories?Before Monday, Taylor had similar numbers in Buffalos four wins (668 yards passing, six touchdowns, including one rushing, and two turnovers), as he had in four losses (812 yards passing, six touchdowns, including two rushing, and an interception).The big difference was Buffalo combined for 462 more yards rushing in its wins than losses, an indication of how much the offense relies on McCoys presence .Thats the way were built, so were not going to have as many pass attempts as most people, Lynn said.And yet, leaning on a running game makes it difficult for teams to play catch-up.Overcoming deficits has been the most troubling concern under Taylor. Hes 1-11 when Buffalo falls behind by four or more points at any point in a game, and has engineered just two wins when Buffalos tied or trailing in fourth quarter.Performing in the clutch is one issue general manager Doug Whaley brought up in January when reviewing Taylor.It is going to come down to those last-second heroics, where we have to put the team and the game and the ball in his hands, and he carries us down and wins the game for us, Whaley said.He did it in Tennessee, so its there, he said, referring to a 14-13 win last October. We just want to see it more often.Taylor said he cant pinpoint why the Bills have struggled when trailing.Comeback victories arent something that are the norm in this league, Taylor said. Its just not our team, its 32 teams in this league.Thats not entirely the case.In 774 games since the start of the 2015 season, 161 teams have won when trailing by four or more points. Three teams did it last week alone, including Seattle.Former Chicago Bears scouting director Greg Gabriel says its difficult to reach a conclusion about Taylor. Ultimately, he said the Bills decision hinges on whether they believe Taylor can continue developing, and whether theres a better option. Franchise-type quarterbacks arent readily available in free agency, and they have to be developed when drafted.As the season progresses, going down the wire, theres going to be important games. How does he play in those games and do you see the arrow going up? Gabriel said. If you cant say yes to that, then make a change. If you can say yes to it, then its wise to keep him because its just too hard to find these guys.Stay tuned.---For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '