The San Francisco Giants were fresh off a salty loss from the Cincinnati Reds Thursday night, and were looking for a little redemption. And in true Giants fashion they did as Nate Schierholtz came through with the game winning hit, a bases loaded single in the bottom of the ninth, to earn the Giants a 3-2 walk off win at AT&T Park Friday night.
Ryan Vogelsong pitched well again in front of the sell-out San Francisco crowd, lasting for six full innings while giving up two runs on eight hits with three walks and six punch outs. But it was the bearded savior, Brian Wilson, who got the win this evening after his inning of work in the top of the ninth, bringing his record to 5-1 on the year. Jeremy Affeldt and Sergio Romo filled in during the seventh and eighth showing absolutely dominating stuff. They combined for five strikeouts in their two perfect innings.
Cody Ross began the Giants off right offensively with an RBI single in the first, but the Reds grabbed the lead back with Ryan Hanningan RBI single in the fourth, and a Chris Heisley RBI ground out in the fifth. Then it was magic time as Schierholtz came to the plate, slapping his two out RBI single into left field for the Giants ninth walk off win of the season.
Unfortunately the Giants may have lost their starting second baseman to injury as Freddy Sanchez dislocated his shoulder diving for a Brandon Phillips blooper in the fifth. He will undergo an MRI on Saturday to determine the severity of the injury.
Full box score can be found here.
The Giants will send out Tim Lincecum (5-4 2.85 ERA) on Saturday to take on Mike Leake (5-2 4.63 ERA) for the Reds, with first pitch scheduled at 1:10 p.m. PT. Coverage can be found on the FOX Network and KNBR 680 AM.
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