Jake Peavy Helps Lead Giants To 3-2 Win Over Nationals In NLDS Opener

WASHINGTON — Never much of a postseason performer, Jake Peavy sure outpitched Stephen Strasburg in the former No. 1 pick’s playoff debut.

Guess that October aura the San Francisco Giants proudly own has rubbed off on Peavy.

The intense right-hander took a no-hitter into the fifth inning, San Francisco’s bullpen barely held onto a lead and the wild-card Giants won their ninth consecutive postseason game by beating Strasburg’s Washington Nationals 3-2 on Friday in a National League Division Series opener.

Peavy won the 2007 Cy Young Award but was 0-3 with a 9.27 ERA in five previous starts beyond the regular season. This time, the 33-year-old right-hander threw 5 2/3 scoreless innings, allowing only two hits.

Buster Posey, Joe Panik and Brandon Belt drove in San Francisco’s runs.

Game 2 is Saturday, with Washington’s Jordan Zimmermann — who threw a no-hitter in the regular-season finale — facing Tim Hudson.

Photo via Brad Mills/USA TODAY Sports Images