SAN FRANCISCO — Jordan Zimmermann pitched seven impressive innings and drove in the tiebreaking run with a safety squeeze to lead the Washington Nationals over the San Francisco Giants, 2-1, on Tuesday night.

Ian Desmond had an RBI single and Wilson Ramos added two hits as the Nationals rebounded from Monday’s frustrating 13-inning loss to win despite stranding 11 runners.

Zimmermann scattered five hits to beat the Giants for the second time this season. The right-hander also won consecutive starts for the first time this year.

Nate Schierholtz doubled in San Francisco’s only run in the second.

The game was in stark contrast to Monday night’s 4½-hour marathon in several ways.

Washington hit into three double plays and left the bases loaded twice but held on for the win by getting a solid effort from Zimmermann (4-6) and two scoreless innings from the bullpen.

Aubrey Huff, who made an error in the first inning after colliding with second baseman Freddy Sanchez while chasing Desmond’s short popup, tripled leading off the second and scored on Schierholtz’s double to left-center to give San Francisco an early lead.

Zimmermann was dominant after that and didn’t allow another Giants runner past first base. It marked the sixth time in his last seven starts that Zimmermann has held an opponent to fewer than two runs.

The Nationals played without manager Jim Riggleman, who served a one-game suspension and was fined by Major League Baseball as a result of Washington pitcher Jason Marquis hitting Arizona’s Justin Upton with a pitch during Sunday’s game against the Diamondbacks. Marquis received a five-game suspension but appealed and can keep playing until the process is completed.

Bench coach John McLaren managed the Nationals in Riggleman’s absence.

The Nationals’ bullpen, which gave up all five runs in Monday’s 5-4 loss to the Giants, made it hold up.

San Francisco starter Jonathan Sanchez (4-4) kept it close and pitched out of two bases-loaded jams with strikeouts. The left-hander had five walks and six strikeouts.

The Giants’ bullpen, which combined for eight scoreless innings Monday, blanked the Nationals over the final four innings.

Jonathan Sanchez

San Francisco starter Jonathan Sanchez, center, waits to speak with manager Bruce Bochy, left, as the infielders gather around them during the Giants’ 2-1 loss to the Washington Nationals on Tuesday. AP photo

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