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 Except Hunter Pence wasn't going to let that happen.
Pence delivered a three-run double in the ninth after Madison
Bumgarner shut out the Phillies over eight frames to lift the Giants
to a 3-0 win Wednesday night over the Phillies.
The Giants' right fielder blooped a double to right field with two
outs after Phillies closer Jonathan Papelbon (2-2), who blew a save
Tuesday, hit a batter and walked two others to load the bases.
"Pence is the guy you want up there," Giants manager Bruce Bochy
said. "He has the knack of putting the ball in the right place."
Papelbon's 2-2 slider just missed -- Philadelphia believed it was a
strike three -- and Pence fouled another fastball off before hitting
the game-winner.
"The 2-2 pitch was close," Bochy said. "It was a good job by Hunter
to lay off."
Bumgarner (12-7) was spectacular, needing only 93 pitches to breeze
through eight shutout innings in which he yielded just five hits,
struck out six and walked none. He also went 1-for-3 at the plate to
raise his average to .261.
"What a job he did," Bochy said. "He saved our skin tonight. He gave
us everything we needed and more."
It took a little more effort for Philadelphia's A.J. Burnett, but he
was equally masterful. The 37-year-old held the Giants scoreless for
eight innings while allowing just four hits, striking out six and
walking four.
"Burnett was outstanding," Phillies manager Ryne Sandberg said. "He
felt strong right to the end."
Burnett threw a season-high 131 pitches -- his most since throwing
132 in a game for the Florida Marlins in 2002.
"I was gonna go as long as they let me," Burnett said.
Santiago Casilla picked up his seventh save for the Giants (57-44),
who have won the first three games of the series and six of seven.
The Phillies (43-58) have lost seven of eight and are a season-worst
15 games below .500.
Philadelphia squandered a prime opportunity in the eighth inning
when catcher Carlos Ruiz and left fielder Domonic Brown opened with
consecutive singles. After a sacrifice bunt, third baseman Andres
Blanco struck out and pinch-hitter Grady Sizemore flied out.
"Man on third less than two outs -- it's really been the problem
we've had the last three games, stranding guys out there," Sandberg
said. "It came up big tonight."
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Right fielder Marlon Byrd's RBI single in the ninth inning gave the
Phillies their run. They were 1-for-6 with runners in scoring
position.
Both clubs needed their starters to go deep into the game after the
previous night's 14-inning marathon. A total of 16 pitchers threw
507 pitches in a game that lasted nearly six hours, leaving several
relievers on both sides unavailable.
Ruiz doubled off the left-center field wall in his first at-bat back
after nearly one month on the disabled list with a concussion.
The game was delayed for 59 minutes with two outs in the top of the
fourth inning because of a thunderstorm.
NOTES: Phillies C Carlos Ruiz (concussion) was activated from the
15-day disabled list before Wednesday night's game. Ruiz played for
the first time since June 26 and batted fifth. To make room on the
roster, Philadelphia optioned C Cameron Rupp to Triple-A Lehigh
Valley. ... Giants 1B Brandon Belt (concussion) left the ballpark
almost immediately after arriving because he was not feeling well.
"This thing is hanging on a little bit more than we thought,"
manager Bruce Bochy said. "We do have some concern." Belt was hit in
the face with a throw during batting practice last Saturday. ...
Philadelphia recalled RHP Phillippe Aumont before the game and
designated RHP Jeff Manship for assignment. Manship took the loss in
Tuesday's 14-inning affair and owns a 6.65 ERA in 20 games for the
Phils. ... 2B Dan Uggla started at second and batted second for San
Francisco's Triple-A affiliate Fresno on Wednesday. Uggla hit .162
with two homers this season for the Atlanta Braves before being
released last Friday. ... In Thursday's series finale, Giants RHP
Tim Hudson (8-6, 2.78 ERA) squares off against Phils LHP Cole Hamels
(4-5, 2.83). ... San Francisco has the best road record in the
National League at 29-19. Philadelphia has the worst NL home mark at
19-32.
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