With first place in the NL West hanging in the balance, the San Francisco Giants came to Chase Field Tuesday night to duel it out the Arizona Diamondbacks. And with the return of Pablo Sandoval the Giants didn’t disappoint, riding an early rally in the game to hang on for a 6-5 victory despite almost giving it away late in the game.
The Giants jumped out to an early lead on Josh Collmenter, started by a Pablo Sandoval RBI single in the first. Matt Cain helped himself out in the fourth with a sacrifice to score Cody Ross, then Ross went on to hit an RBI double in the fifth, then later scored during a rundown with Brandon Crawford. Collmenter (L 4-2) lasted for only five innings allowing eight hits, three walks, and four strikeouts.
Matt Cain (W 6-4) pitched rather well to start the game with the Giants comfy five run cushion. He lasted for six and 2/3 innings, but was knocked out of the game by a three run Miguel Montero homer in the seventh. Cain threw 110 pitches for the night, giving up five earned runs on eight hits, with two walks and four strikeouts.
Nate Schierholtz gave the G-Men a little insurance in the seventh with an RBI double, followed by a Chris Young RBI double in the bottom half of the frame to make it 6-5. The Giants bullpen stood firm behind Jeremy Affeldt, Sergio Romo, and Javy Lopez, then came the bearded savior Brian WIlson. Wilson allowed two base runners in the bottom of the ninth with two walks, but eventually closed the door for his 19th save of 2011.
With the win the Giants move to 38-29 on the year, one game ahead of the D’backs atop the NL West. Full box score can be found here.
The Giants will send Madison Bumgarner (2-8 3.23 ERA) out on the mound Wednesday to face Joe Saunders (3-6 4.56 ERA) for the Diamondbacks. First pitch is set for 6:40 p.m. PT with coverage on CSN Bay Area and KNBR 680 AM.
For more discussion and analysis of the Black and Orange, head on over to McCovey Chronicles to get in on the action.