The San Francisco Giants came into Sunday's match up with the Houston Astros desperate for a victory after losing the first two of the series with MLB's worst team. They had a call-up on the mound facing a former Giants prospect, and took extra innings to finally secure the win with a Pablo Sandoval home run in the 11th inning, winning by the score of 6-4.
Brandon Belt made a big impact with a three run shot to start the game off for the Giants, his fifth of the season. The Astros answered in the second, playing small ball against call-up Dan Runzler while earning all three runs back and then some, effectively knocking him out of the after only one and 2/3 innings pitched and four earned runs to his name. Mike Fontenot's sacrifice fly in the fourth would tie up the game, and despite multiple chances for the Giants to score, including a bases loaded situation in the eighth, they couldn't come up with anything.
But it was Pablo Sandoval playing the hero for the Black and Orange, sending a towering shot to center field in the top of the 11th plating Cody Ross, and putting the Giants up for good. Pablo and Belt were the only Giants with multiple hits today as the Panda went 2-6, while Belt went 4-5 (and still might not get to play tomorrow). Pablo is still unable to bat right handed due his his strained shoulder though.
Steve Edelfsen made his first appearance of the year for the Giants, pitching one and 1/3 innings of relief with no hits and two strikeouts. Edelfsen took Brian Wilson's spot in the lineup while he's on the DL.
With the win the Giants move to 68-60 on the year, only 1.5 games out of first place in the NL West. Full box score can be found here.
The G-Men start an important 12-game home stand on Tuesday against the San Diego Padres, with everyone's favorite Padre Mat Latos (6-12 3.83 ERA) on the bump to take on Matt Cain (10-9 2.86 ERA) for the Giants. First pitch is set for 7:15 pm PT with coverage on CSN Bay Area and KNBR 680 AM.
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