The San Francisco Giants came into Chase Field Thursday night attempting to sweep the Arizona Diamondbacks for the second time this season, but unfortunately for the G-Men it was Ian Kennedy’s turn in the rotation. But with another great performance by Ryan Vogelsong and a ninth inning rally the Giants forced extra innings, but eventually lost on a Justin Upton walk-off homer in the tenth, falling by a score of 3-2.
Vogelsong was very efficient in his six innings of work, allowing only six hits, two earned runs, one walk, and six punch outs. All of the D’backs runs came off of home runs as Chris Young started it off with a 2 run bomb in the fourth, his 14th of the year. But for as sharp Vogelsong was, Ian Kennedy was extra sharp this evening, allowing only four hits and one earned run, with one walk and a career tying high for strikeouts with 10.
As for the Giants offense, they first scored in the fifth on a throwing error by Miguel Montero as Cody Ross was stealing third, who then came home to score. Then it was Pat Burrell’s turn, hitting a sacrifice fly off of J.J. Putz in the ninth to tie the ballgame at two apiece, only his second pinch-hit RBI of the year.
But it was all for not as Santiago Casilla (L 0-1) came in for the ninth and tenth, and didn’t seem completely comfortable out on the mound, giving up the walk-off to Upton. Dylan Hernandez (W 3-2) got the win for the D’backs with his inning of work in the tenth.
With the loss the Giants move to 39-30 on the year, 1.5 games ahead of Arizona in the NL West. Full box score can be found here.
The Giants will now head back to the Bay for their second installment of interleague play with the Oakland A’s. Tim Lincecum (5-5 3.41 ERA) will take the mound to face Graham Godfrey (0-0 10.38 ERA) for the Athletics. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. PT with coverage on CSN Bay Area and KNBR 680 AM.
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