The San Francisco Giants were looking for a bounce back game after being smoked by the Cincinnati Reds Tuesday night, sending lefty Barry Zito to the mound in order to do so. Yet despite another superb outing from the former Cy Young winner, a horrible seventh inning from the bullpen would eventually sink the Giants by the score of 4-2.
Angel Pagan got the Giants on the board with a solo shot in the third inning, followed by and RBI single from Brandon Crawford in the fourth. They couldn't get anything else going in the night though, despite having their chances.
Barry Zito was cruising through the Reds until the seventh when Scott Rolen launched his first homer of the season, effectively knocking him out of the game. Zito gave up only five hits, two walks, and four strikeouts in 106 pitches on the night, finishing without a decision.
Clay Hensley (L 1-2) came in for Zito with one on and nobody out, eventually getting jammed into a bases loaded situation with a throwing error and intentional walk. A Wilson Valdez RBI sacrifice fly tied then game, bringing in Jeremy Affeldt, who's wild pitch gave the lead to the Reds, than a Joey Votto double pushed them ahead 4-2.
Pablo Sandoval extended his hitting streak to 18 with a single in the third inning, one of the nine hits the Giants got off of Bronson Arroyo, who also got a no decision for his five innings of work. The Giants left nine men on base tonight, and were only 1-6 with players in scoring position.
Jose Arredondo got his second save of the season for Cincy, while Sean Marshall came in to earn his fourth save in the ninth.
Full box score can be found here.
Have breakfast with the Giants tomorrow morning as Ryan Vogelsong (0-1, 3.38) takes on Homer Bailey (1-2, 3.86) in the sereis finale. First pitch is set for 9:35 am PT with coverage on CSN Bay Area and KNBR 680 AM.
For more on the giants, please check out McCovey Chronicles. For the Reds side of the story, head over to the Red Reporter.
