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 Third baseman Pablo Sandoval's RBI double with two outs in the
ninth gave the Giants their first lead Monday afternoon, when San
Francisco edged the New York Mets 4-3 at Citi Field.
The Giants (61-51) have won four of their last five after taking
three of four from the Mets in a weekend wraparound series that
marked the beginning of a 10-game road trip. San Francisco scored 20
runs against the Mets after scoring just 12 runs in the six-game
homestand that immediately preceded the visit to New York.
"It's nice to get some Ws," Giants manager Bruce Bochy said. "I
don't know what it is, we score runs on the road a little bit
better."
The Giants are just 29-30 and averaging 3.5 runs per game at home.
On the road, they are 32-21 and averaging 3.7 runs per game.
"Knock on wood that keeps up," Bochy said. "But the guys just seem
relaxed here in this series. I knew this would be a tough series
with the starters that we were facing and (the Giants) played very
well."
Since last Wednesday, the Giants have gone from tied for third in
the NL wild-card race, a game behind Atlanta, to first in the
wild-card standings, a game ahead of St. Louis. The win Monday also
pulled the Giants within two games of the Los Angeles Dodgers in the
NL West, pending the Dodgers' game Monday night against the Los
Angeles Angels.
"Hopefully we can be ready for a really good next seven weeks," said
Giants right-hander Tim Hudson, who didn't factor into the decision
after allowing three runs (two earned) over five innings.
While the Giants piled on early and often in a 9-0 win on Sunday,
the offensive approach was a more measured and patient one Monday,
when San Francisco came back from deficits of 2-0 and 3-2.
Catcher Buster Posey, batting ahead of Sandoval, walked four times,
tying a career high set on June 4, 2012. Sandoval went 3-for-5 with
three RBIs. All three hits came immediately after a Posey walk.
"Pablo, what a day," Bochy said. "Buster kept walking and what
you're hoping for -- the guy behind him picks it up. And Pablo did.
He had a terrific game."
Sandoval's two-run double in the third inning scored right fielder
Hunter Pence, who doubled with one out, and Posey, who walked with
two outs.
Sandoval nearly gave the Giants the lead in the seventh, when he
singled following a Posey walk, but Mets center fielder Juan Lagares
delivered a perfect strike to throw out center fielder Gregor Blanco
trying to score from second.
Mets right-hander Jenrry Mejia (5-4) retired the first two batters
of the ninth before Blanco singled and stole second. Posey worked a
seven-pitch walk and Sandoval fell behind 0-2 before hitting a
ground-rule double to left field two pitches later.
"I saw Buster having great at-bats in the game," Sandoval said. "I
just tried to focus (on the chance) to drive (runners) in,
especially in the situation to tie the game or get ahead."
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Pence finished 2-for-5 with two runs scored for the Giants while second
baseman Joe Panik, who played collegiately at nearby St. John's had a
career-high three hits.
Four Giants relievers combined for four shutout innings of two-hit ball.
Right-hander Sergio Romo (5-3) earned the win after allowing one hit in
the eighth before right-hander Santiago Casilla notched his ninth save
with a perfect ninth.
Hudson, who leads active pitchers with 213 wins, gave up seven hits and
two walks while striking out two before he was pulled for a pinch-hitter
with two runners on in the sixth.
The Mets (53-59) had nine hits -- one more than they had in the first
three games of the series -- but still suffered their first series loss
at home since June 10-12 against Milwaukee. New York, which went 3-4 on
a homestand that ended Monday, is seven games behind St. Louis in the
wild-card race.
"We've got to win games," Mets manager Terry Collins said. "So I
wouldn't say it was a good homestand."
Second baseman Daniel Murphy hit a two-run homer in the first and
finished 2-for-5 with two runs scored and a stolen base. Third baseman
David Wright had an RBI infield single while center fielder Juan Lagares
went 3-for-4.
Right-hander Dillon Gee allowed two runs on five hits and three walks
while striking out six over 5 2/3 innings.
NOTES: After the game, the Mets designated OF Bobby Abreu for assignment
and recalled OF Kirk Nieuwenhuis from Triple-A Las Vegas. ... Mets RHP
Matt Harvey (Tommy John surgery) is scheduled to throw off a mound for
the second time Tuesday. ... Giants RHP Matt Cain will undergo
season-ending surgery next Monday to remove bone chips from his right
elbow. He finishes this year 2-7 with a 4.18 ERA in 15 starts. ...
Giants manager Bruce Bochy said C Buster Posey, who started his 18th
straight game Monday, would get the night off Tuesday, when the Giants
begin a three-game series at Milwaukee.
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