SAN FRANCISCO -- The San Francisco Giants landed the top-tier closer they have been seeking for months, agreeing to a $62 million, four-year contract with right-hander Mark Melancon on Monday.Its the richest contract ever for a closer, topping Jonathan Papelbons $50 million, four-year deal with the Phillies from 2012-15 and Mariano Riveras $15 million annual value total in 2011-12 by the Yankees.Really excited to have Mark, manager Bruce Bochy said in a text message. Got to know him on a trip to Taiwan in 2011. Fills an important need for us. Great to get one of the premier closers in the game.Pending a physical, the pitcher receives a $20 million signing bonus, $8 million of which is deferred, then salaries of $4 million for 2017, $10 million in 18 and $14 million in each of the `19 and 2020 seasons. He has a full no-trade clause and the chance to opt out after the first two years.Melancon has saved at least 30 games in each of the past three seasons, recording a majors-best 51 in 2015. He went 47 for 51 in save opportunities in 75 relief appearances last season with Pittsburgh and Washington, tied for second-most saves in baseball with Baltimores Zach Britton and Kenley Jansen of the Dodgers behind the Mets Jeurys Familia with 51.After San Francisco tried to acquire Aroldis Chapman at the trade deadline and missed out to the Cubs, finding a reliable ninth-inning option became top of the to-do list for the offseason. Melancon was dealt to the Nationals from the Pirates.Adding a premier closer was our main priority this offseason, general manager Bobby Evans said. Mark solidifies the back end of our bullpen and fills a critical role. He brings talent, leadership and experience to our pitching staff.Because the 31-year-old Melancon was traded during the season, the Giants dont have to give up their first pick in Junes amateur draft as compensation.The Giants blew 32 saves this past season, nine in September -- one fewer than Melancon had over the past three years -- and the last in a 6-5 Game 4 loss to the Cubs that ended San Franciscos season. Chicago scored four runs in the ninth as Bochy tried five relievers in the inning.Santiago Casilla and Sergio Romo, two reliable relievers in even-year championships of 2010, `12 and `14, were both inconsistent.Last offseason, the Giants made a splash by adding to their starting rotation, signing Johnny Cueto to a $130 million, six-year contract and Jeff Samardzija for $90 million over five years.Nationals GM Mike Rizzo, speaking at baseballs winter meetings in Oxon Hill, Maryland, said Washington made an offer.We gave him an offer that we felt was market value and what we were comfortable giving him. Youre talking about one of the elite closers in the game and a great teammate, Rizzo said. Conducted himself perfectly as a Washington National. At the end of the day, the Giants offered him more, and he took the deal. Thats what free agencys all about. ...Theyve got themselves a great citizen and a great pitcher.---AP Baseball Writer Ronald Blum and AP Sports Writer Howard Fendrich in Oxon Hill, Maryland, contributed to this report. Golden State Warriors Jerseys . -- The Magic have their first victory of the new year. Jacob Evans Jersey . After Mondays hard-fought loss, the wait seemed longer than usual. Getting set to go their separate ways for a short Christmas break, the Raptors coach credited his team for their effort on a seemingly impossible three-game road trip, urging them to build on that success when they get back to work at the end of the week. http://www.cheapwarriorsjerseysauthentic.com/?tag=cheap-demarcus-cousins-jersey . R.J. Umberger scored twice to lead the Blue Jackets to a franchise-record for consecutive wins with a 5-3 victory Tuesday night over the Los Angeles Kings. Cheap Warriors Jerseys . Thats not a comment on the suspension that banished the Portland Winterhawks general manager and coach from his Western Hockey League teams bench for most of the 2012-13 season. Wholesale Warriors Jerseys China . A big centre with all the tools to be an elite player, Johansen paced the Blue Jackets with a standout game Saturday night. He had a goal and two assists for a career-high three points as Columbus beat the New York Islanders 5-2 to snap a five-game losing streak. WASHINGTON -- Two big innings were enough for the Washington Nationals to overcome the Atlanta Braves and top prospect Dansby Swansons inside-the-park home run Tuesday night.Pinch-runner Michael A. Taylor scored the go-ahead run on catcher Tyler Flowers throwing error as part of a three-run eighth inning as the Nationals defeated Atlanta 9-7.Youve got to believe and think it and everybody was believing, Nationals manager Dusty Baker said. The power of positive thinking goes a long way, especially in this game. That brought the crowd back into the game.Washington had a five-run third inning for the second consecutive night.We just sometimes cant stay away from that crooked number in one inning, Atlanta interim manager Brian Snitker said.Taylor pinch-ran after Braves reliever Jose Ramirez (2-2) walked Ryan Zimmerman. Taylor stole second and, after Danny Espinosas walk, scored when an off-balance Flowers threw pinch-hitter Ben Reveres bunt attempt well to the left of third baseman Adonis Garcia.I knew if I got my hand on it, it had to be quick, Flowers said. When I went through it all in my head, I imagined it being a little more accurate in my head before it happened. Its a do-or-die play. The game is essentially on the line. I tried to be an athlete and it just didnt work out.Trea Turner then hit a two-run single for Washington, which beat Atlanta for the 13th time in 15 meetings this season.Koda Glover (2-0) retired the only two batters he faced to earn the victory, while Mark Melancon got his 39th save in 42 opportunities.Washington used seven relievers, who combined to retire 17 of the 20 batters they faced.They did a great job tonight, Zimmerman said. Theyve done a really great job all year long, coming into games and keeping us where were at. Theyre not an easy team to pitch to.Nationals right fielder Bryce Harper secured his first career 20 homer-20 steal season with a stolen base in the seventh.Swanson, the 2015 overall No. 1 draft pick, hit an inside-the-park home run in the second inning. The shortstop lined a pitch from Gio Gonzalez over Turner and high off the fence in center field, 399 feet away. The ball caromed toward the infielld, and Swanson slid home headfirst, easily beating the throw from Harper.dddddddddddd It was his first career home run.Swanson, who made his big league debut Aug. 17, entered the game hitting .236 with four RBI in 55 at-bats. Atlantas previous inside-the-park home run was by Wes Helms on Oct. 7, 2001.It was one of those things where I thought it was going to be my first triple, Swanson said. Then as I kept going, judging by the reaction in the dugout and the crowd, I thought `Maybe Ill get an inside-the-parker. I just kept going.Swansons homer gave Atlanta a 3-1 lead, and the Braves added another run in the third on Freddie Freemans RBI single. But Washington blasted starter Williams Perez in the third inning, collecting three singles before Rendon launched an 0-2 pitch to left for his first career grand slam. Zimmerman chased Perez two batters later with a solo homer.Perez allowed six runs in 2 1/3 innings. Gonzalez didnt fare much better, allowing six runs in three innings.STREAKS CONTINUEOF Ender Inciarte singled twice to extend his hitting streak to 17 games, two shy of his career high. Freeman pushed his hitting streak to 13 games with a single.TRAINERS ROOMBraves: RHP Matt Wisler (sore side) played catch a day after he missed his scheduled start Snitker said Wisler would likely need a couple of side sessions before returning to the rotation.Nationals: Washington recalled INF Wilmer Difo and RHP Lucas Giolito from Triple-A Syracuse. Difo hit .257 with five RBI in 35 at-bats in earlier stints with the Nationals, while Giolito is 0-1 with a 5.63 ERA in four starts in the majors.UP NEXTBraves: RHP Mike Foltynewicz (8-5, 4.31) starts the series finale for Atlanta. Foltynewicz earned a victory in his only previous start this year against Washington, allowing four runs in 5 2/3 innings on Aug. 12.Nationals: Strasburg (15-4, 3.59) will return from the DL and start Wednesday. Strasburg has not pitched since Aug. 17 because of right elbow soreness. He is 2-1 with a 4.26 ERA in three starts against Atlanta this season. Jerseys Wholesale NFL Jerseys China Cheap Jerseys From China Nike NFL Jerseys China Cheap Jerseys Store Wholesale Jerseys China Jerseys NFL China ' ' '